Lady Templars overwelm Juab
52-36, Maeser Prep, 65-11
By Matt Harris
Staff writer
2-3-2021
NEPHI—The Lady Templars’ first region loss last week wasn’t about to hold them up.
The Manti girls’ basketball team pushed their region record to 8-1, 11-5 overall, as they went on the road in Nephi last Tuesday and took down rival Juab for the second time this season, 52-36, then returned home to demolish Maeser Prep Academy, 65-11, last Thursday.
The Lady Templars 11 wins gave them double-digit wins in the regular season for the second straight year as Coach Brennon Schweikart’ record moved above .500 to 33-31 in three years with the program.
The Lady Templars struggled to get started against the Lady Wasps as neither team scored for the first two and a half minutes of action, but a long 2-pointer by senior Katie Larsen opened up the scoring. Larsen scored Manti’s first two baskets as the teams were tied at 7 at the end of the first.
In the second quarter, Manti switched into their full-court press, and it worked like a charm, holding Juab scoreless for nearly four minutes straight while key free throws and an extra field goal put Manti up 12-7. After Juab crawled back, 12-11, Larsen scored the next five points for Manti. Manti took a 19-13 into halftime after Larsen made her fourth foul shot.
Coming out of halftime, the Larsen show kept rolling as the senior quickly put up a personal 5-0 scoring run, giving Manti its first double-digit lead, 24-13. Larsen continued to lead a third-quarter onslaught as Manti put up 19 points and led 38-30 going into the fourth quarter.
The first made shot of the fourth quarter was Manti’s first 3-pointer of the game, courtesy of sophomore Heidi Jorgensen. It was a sign of good things to come as Manti again clamped the Wasps’ offense for a 14-6 run to end it. Juab briefly fought their way back and made it a single-digit game with three minutes left, but Jorgensen buried another 3-pointer on the next possession to put the Wasps away for good.
Larsen had one of her best nights as a Templar, scoring 17 points on 6-18 shooting and grabbing five rebounds while dishing five assists. Jorgensen contributed 13 points.
The following Thursday, the Lady Templars destroyed Maeser Prep, leading 18-1 at halftime and never looking back. Jorgensen led the team with 15 points, while Larsen scored 13, and senior Breana Barson scored 12.
Manti plays American Leadership Academy and Union at home this week on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.
