Templars go 1-1 in first

region games of season

By James Tilson

Staff writer

Jan. 11, 2018

MANTI—The Manti High School Templars went 1-1 in two hard-fought games in their first two region boys basketball games of the season, beating Grand County 70-62 on Friday night, Jan. 5, and losing to San Juan 73-78 on Saturday, Jan. 6.

The Templars started out behind the Red Devils of Grand County on Friday at home, giving up easy buckets in transition and in the paint.

Manti never got far behind, though, and only trailed by five points at half.

In the second half, Manti’s Matt Nelson began to assert himself on his way to a game-high 34 points, driving to the basket to score or get fouled to get to the free-throw line.

The Templars outscored the Red Devils 20-6 in the third quarter to take the lead and drive to a win, 70-62.

On Saturday, also a home game, it was more of the same in another tough Region 15 battle.

This time, the Templars jumped out to the early lead, only to see the Broncos of San Juan come charging back to lead at half, 30-37.

The Templars outscored the Broncos 28-20 in the third quarter to take back the lead, 58-57, yet the Broncos prevailed in the final stretches to win 78-73.

Manti traveled to Richfield yesterday and host Emery High on Friday at 7 p.m.

The Templars stand at 1-1 in the conference, 9-3 overall, and third in Region 15 behind South Sevier and North Sanpete.