Templars two-game

road trip disappoints

By James Tilson

Staff writer

Feb. 1, 2018

MOAB—The boys basketball team of Manti High School made their annual road trip to San Juan and Grand counties last weekend and came up short, losing to both San Juan, 87-71, and to Grand County, 77-70.

On Friday, Jan. 26, Manti faced San Juan and played tight to the Broncos except for the second quarter.

Manti’s coach, Devin Shakespear, explained that the Broncos jumped on the Templars’ foul trouble and hit several big shots.

The Templars tried to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter and succeeded in winning the quarter by six points but could not overcome the 14-point differential from the second quarter and lost by 16.

Manti’s Matt Nelson led all scorers with 23 points.

On Saturday, Jan. 27, against Grand County, the Templars never really got far behind, but they gave up too many turnovers and could never get into an offensive rhythm.

Down the stretch, the Templars also missed crucial free throws when they had the chance to take the lead.

Nelson once again led all scorers with 32 points.

Manti’s position in the region playoff race with four games left in the regular season got a little more complicated, but they are still in excellent position with four games left. At 4-4 in Region 15, they are only 2.5 games out of first place.

On Wednesday, the Templars traveled to Richfield (score unavailable) and then on Friday to Emery. On Wednesday, Feb. 7, the Templars host South Sevier, and then on Friday, Feb. 9, for the final game of the year, Manti hosts cross-county rival North Sanpete.