Lady Templars have tough week, losing to Juab, Emery and Kanab
Bob Bahlmann
Staff writer
1-12-2016
MANTI—The Manti High girls varsity basketball team had a tough week, losing to Juab 45-17, Emery 62-16 and Kanab 53-22.
Although frustrated with the rash of injuries this year, the Templar coaching staff are still pleased with the efforts of the players.
“This is one of those situations where you watch to see how they (the players) react,” said assistant coach Elisha Steinfeldt. “They’re good kids.”
Despite their winless record, the Lady Templars continue to play hard and the sparse, but enthusiastic fans continue to celebrate every small victory with their team.
On Thursday, Jan. 3, Manti hosted Juab and trailed 29-13 at the half on the way to the 28-point loss.
Avalin Cook led the team with six points and two steals. Leah Howe had five points and five boards in the first half but did not play in the second. Kjerstin Birch had two points and seven rebounds. Amie Squire had two points and five rebounds, while Keslee Cox had two points.
The game on Thursday, Jan. 5 against Emery was another tough loss for the Templars. The Spartans used a big first quarter to outscore Manti 24-4 and then repeated the feat in the third 23-1.
Aston Wood led Manti with four points. Tyra Hermansen joined Cook, Cox, Birch and Howe with two each. Kallie Young hit a free throw. Birch had eight rebounds in the game, Cox had five, and Cook and Young had four each. Young and Howe had three steals each.
On Saturday, Jan. 7, the Kanab Cowboys were in town and got the early 15-0 lead. Some defensive adjustments and more confident offensive play allowed the Templars to hold Kanab scoreless in the second while scoring four to cut the lead to 11 at the half.
The third quarter saw the Cowboys blister the nets with 92 percent shooting from the field to score 24 points to Manti’s eight. Kanab then went on for the win.
Auri Squire hit a pair of threes on her way to eight points; she also had three rebounds and three steals. Wood had seven points, five rebounds and three steals. Howe added five points, had seven rebounds and three steals. Young had two points while playing great defense on Kanab’s hot shooting Sidney McDonald. She also had two assists and two steals. Birch had five boards and Amie Squire had two.
The Lady Templars will have one game this week, a region matchup at Gunnison today (score unavailable). The Lady Bulldogs are 4-9 on the year.
