by James Tate
Marchant dominates the first half for the Phoenix
Marchant was on fire in the first quarter, scoring 14 points. The Phoenix defense frustrated the Warriors and only scored one point in the first quarter. Warriors’ senior Katelynn Butler was able to convert on one free throw to avoid the shutout.
Marchant displayed her shooting touch from all over the floor. She made layups, and short jumpers and moved outside to make a three-pointer. Weber had chances to make baskets but could not finish on many possessions. The Phoenix’s defense was able to deflect passes and force the Warriors into turnovers. The first quarter ended with a Marchant layup and a 17-1 Phoenix lead.
With 4:31 left in the second quarter, Phoenix’s senior Maddie Hauck made a layup, and the score was 21-1 and a 19-0 run. Butler was fouled with 2:32 left until halftime and made both free throws to make the score 21-3. Butler then drained a three-point shot before the end of the second quarter to cut the lead to 23-6.
Third quarter
The third quarter scoring started with Phoenix’s senior Kate Geddes making her second three-point basket of the game for a 26-6 lead. Farmington’s senior Christiansen picked up the scoring with six points in the quarter. With 2:37 left, Farmington had a 34-8 lead.
Warriors’ senior Jersey Coggins made a layup to make the score 34-10 with 2:25 left in the quarter. A spectacular reverse layup by Phoenix’s guard Teagan Dagley put the Phoenix up 36-10 to end the third quarter.
Fourth quarter
The Warriors found a spark with Coggins, as she made a layup and a three-point shot to start the fourth quarter. Coggins five-point burst made the 36-15 with 6:36 left in the game. Weber’s Katelyn Poulsen made one of two free throws and the Warriors had a six-point run.
Christiansen’s great second half continued with a driving layup and was fouled. She missed the free throw, but the lead was 38-16. Coggins then blocked a shot attempt by the Phoenix and battled for offensive rebounds. Her efforts got her to the free throw line and she made one of two to make the score 38-17 with four minutes remaining in the game.
Marchant returned to the game and converted on a layup with 3:10 left and the Phoenix leading 42-19. Then Warriors’ senior Logan Howell made a three-point shot with 3:00 remaining in the game to cut the Phoenix lead to 42-22. With 2:15 left in the game, Butler was fouled on the made basket and the free throw made the score 42-25.
The Phoenix closed out the game with a free throw from Dagley and a layup by Jazzie Spence for a final score of 46-25. The Warriors came back in the second half as the total scoring in the third and fourth quarters was 23-19 in favor of the Phoenix.
Outstanding performances
Coggins clearly sparked the Warriors in the second half, as she finished with a team-high 10 points. Butler netted nine points for Weber.
Marchant scored a game-high 18 points to lead all scorers. Christiansen stepped up in the second half and scored all of her eight points for the Phoenix.
photo courtesy James Tate