by James Tate
Titan’s trio leads the way
The Titan’s leaders in scoring were freshman Maylee Anderson (18), junior Avery Sanders (16), and junior Cami King (14). In an overtime game, the Titans survived an outstanding performance from senior Marissa Marchant and the Farmington Phoenix. Marchant finished the game with 17 points to lead the Phoenix.
Even first half
Both teams matched up well in this contest played great defense and knocked down timely shots. The first quarter ended with the Titans leading 11-10. Sanders led the way in the opening quarter by scoring seven points on two layups and a three-point basket.
Sanders made two consecutive layups in the second quarter to give the Titans a 15-10 lead at the 6:40 mark. The veteran Phoenix team returned with seniors Victoria Clinger and Whitney Avei scoring to make it 15-14 with 5:50 remaining.
After a timeout, Phoenix’s senior Teagan Dagley drained a three-point shot, and the score was 20-17 Farmington. After both teams played great defense, the crowd roared when King converted a layup and was fouled. King made the free throw attempt and tied the game at 20. The game was even at 22 after both teams made baskets to close the first half.
Marchant and Anderson keep the game tight
Marchant came out in the third quarter and scored the first points on a short jumper. Marchant’s teammate, senior Mele Fiefia, made a layup, and the Phoenix led 26-22 in the first minute. Anderson responded for the Titans by nailing a three-point shot. Marchant answered with her first three-point basket of the game, and the score was 29-25 Farmington.
With 4:20 on the clock, the Titans regained the lead 30-29 after a layup by sophomore Ariah Hacker and another three-point basket by Anderson. Both teams exchanged layups, and Clinger made her second three-point shot of the game and gave Farmington a 35-32 lead. After two made free throws by Titan’s junior Cortnie Barker and a short jumper by Phoenix’s senior Kate Geddes, the score was 37-34 Farmington. The momentum shifted to the Titans after Sanders made a three-pointer at the buzzer and tied the score again, 37-37.
Big shots in the fourth quarter
The fourth quarter saw both teams play tough defense and make shots that excited the crowd. Phoenix’s Maddie Hauck made a layup at the 3:56 mark to give them a 40-39 lead. Next, Anderson drained a three-pointer to put the Titans up 42-40 with 3:30 on the clock and force a timeout to be called by Farmington.
After the timeout, both teams made defensive stops and committed turnovers. King then made a three-point shot that erupted the crown, and the Titan’s lead was now five points, 45-40, with 1:45 left. Marchant responded for Farmington by making a layup and was fouled. She missed the free throw, but the score was 45-42 Titans with .51 seconds left in the game.
After consecutive timeouts, Farmington had possession, and Marchant made the night’s biggest shot, a three-point shot, with .23 seconds left in the game and even the score at 45. Both teams failed to score in the final seconds, and the fourth quarter ended 45-45.
Titans pull away in overtime
The first overtime score came when Barker made a three-point shot with 2:55 on the clock. Barker’s three-pointer gave the Titans a 48-45 lead. The Phoenix’s next time down the court saw Marchant respond with a three-point shot and even the score at 48. King then made a reverse layup to give the Titans the lead again, 50-48, and made a steal at midcourt. King was fouled after the steal and made both free throws. Farmington called a timeout, and the score was 52-48 with 1:50 left in the game.
The Titan’s defense held firm in the final minutes, only giving up a short jump shot by Fiefia. Made free throws by King and Anderson closed out the game and the victory for the Titans 59-50.
Outstanding performances
Anderson, Sanders, and King were the scoring leaders. Barker and Hacker led the Titans in playing excellent team defense.
Marchant played outstanding and kept the Phoenix alive with big shots. Clinger added 10 points, and Avei and Courtney Christiansen played great defense.
photos courtesy James Tate of Titan’s Avery Sanders and Phoenix’s Courtney Christiansen