RICHFIELD—The Central Utah Girls’ Basketball Preview could not have gone better for the Lady Templars as they rounded their way back into form with two solid wins.
Manti girls’ hoops got back on track at the Preview, showcasing the defensive prowess they’d been missing all season as they took down South Sevier, 47-40, and Canyon View, 42-35, last weekend.
“The girls came together in purpose,” Coach Brennon Schweikart said. “Their energy and playing for each other offensively and defensively is exactly what we have been looking for. It was a lot of fun. It looked like Manti basketball to me.”
Prior to the Preview, Manti lost a hard-fought matchup with South Summit, 53-46, last Tuesday. Senior Charlee Mandel led with 15 points, while senior Sharlie Alder and junior Heidi Jorgensen each scored 10 points.
Manti traded punches with South Sevier all the way to halftime, holding a slim 19-18 lead at the half over an opponent they had not beaten since 2011. After halftime, Manti commenced a 6-0 run before the Rams scored a layup, then went on another 7-0 run, closing out the half with a buzzer-beater layup by Jorgensen to extend their lead to 12 going into the fourth. Despite South Sevier’s offense roaring back to life with a 20-point final period, Manti held them off for the win.
Senior Breanne Wayman led the team with 11 points, while Alder again added 10.
Against Canyon View, Manti played perhaps their most Manti-like game of the season, holding their opponent below 40 points for the first time this season while outscoring them in each of the first three quarters.
The Lady Templars also made five 3-pointers. Alder led the team with 14 points.
Manti will play host to North Sevier next Wednesday.
