by James Tate
In the first quarter, both teams make runs
The Layton Lancers cruise past the Clearfield Falcons with a 72-59 home victory. The game saw the Lancers use a balanced scoring attack and efficient scoring through each quarter. Lancer senior guard KJ Miller led the team with 17 points. An overall great team effort was needed for a big region win.
The Layton Lancers were out of the gates quickly against the Falcons, with Miller making a layup. The Falcons matched the quick score of Miller’s with layups by Falcon seniors Trace Hansen and Austin Mitchell. Mitchell’s offensive rebound and layup made the score 6-5 with 5:05 on the clock. The Lancers surged ahead with a 10-1 run led by senior guard Elias Parkinson’s layup and three-point shot. With 2:20 left in the first quarter, the Lancers led 15-7. Falcons senior guard Lincoln Church made a crucial steal and three-point basket. His play was followed by layups by sophomore Canyon Dugger and senior James Barraza. The first quarter ended with Clearfield scoring the last eight points, making the score 17-16 in favor of the Lancers.
Second quarter
The second quarter started with Parkinson showing his athletic talents by blocking a shot attempt, making a jumper, and taking a charge. Parkinson’s efforts were in the first 2:00 of the quarter, and the Lancers led 21-16. Layton pulled away by going on a 7-1 run and making the score 28-17. With 4:20 on the clock, the run was behind layups by Parkinson, Brock Mendoza, and Mehki Martin. The Lancers led at halftime by a score of 38-25.
Third quarter
The third quarter started just as the game did, with Miller scoring; this time, it was a three-point basket to make the score 41-25. Midway through the quarter, Barraza scored six points for Clearfield and cut the lead down to eight points, 48-40, with 3:25 remaining. After Hansen scored on a layup and was fouled, the score was 50-44 with 1:42 left in the quarter. The Lancers ended the Falcon’s run with a layup from Cooper Tullis and a three-pointer by Miller, making the score 55-44.
Fourth quarter
The fourth quarter saw Layton’s Crew Harrop and Mendoza make tough shots. The score was 63-46 with 4:08 on the clock. The Lancer lead grew to 20 after Mendoza made a spectacular dunk for a 67-47 score at the 3:20 mark. Mendoza led Layton’s defense that held the Falcons to five points in the quarter until 1:56 left in the game. The teams traded baskets towards the end of the game, and the final was Layton 72, Clearfield 58.
Outstanding performances
Layton’s balanced attack with five players in double figures was brutal for the Falcons to contain. The outside shooting of Miller, 17 points. Martin’s ability to create and hit open shots scored 14 points. Menodoza’s inside scoring netted him 12 points. The quick and athletic Parkinson scored 11 points. Tullis displayed energy and effort in scoring 10 points for the Lancers off the bench.
The Falcons Mitchell is hard to contain inside with his 6’10” frame, scored a game-high 21 points. Barraza was creative with making layups and tough shots and scored 15 points. Sharpshooter Church scored 10 points and made three three-point shots for the Falcons.
photo courtesy James Tate of Clearfield’s Chase Mcneill