by James Tate
Even first half
Syracuse came out and showed no fear against the defending region champ, Silverwolves. In the opening quarter, Titan’s freshman guard Maylee Anderson made two three-pointers. Her second three-point shot made the score 10-6 in the Titan’s favor with 2:53 on the clock. After a timeout, the Silverwolves looked to sophomore center Kaidance King for scoring. King scored eight first-quarter points to keep the Silverwolves close. The first quarter ended with the Titans leading 15-12.
The second quarter started with Titans junior forward Rochelle Afo Manuma making a jump shot and layup to make the score 19-12 at the 7:06 mark. The Silverwolves again looked to King on the offensive side, and she was fouled and made one of two free throws. The Titans then stretched their lead to eight points after junior Cami King made a layup to make the score 21-13. The Titans saw their largest game lead at the 5:14 mark of the second quarter after junior Avery Sanders made a free throw, scoring 22-13. The Silverwolves quickly responded with sharpshooter senior Sierra Eddie making a three-point shot to cut the score to 22-16.
Silverwolves junior forward Syncere Langston made a free throw after getting fouled, then Eddie made another three-point basket to make the score 22-20 in favor of the Titans. The quarter ended with a layup by Titans Anderson and baskets by Silverwolves seniors Charli Hunt and Aly Coombs for a 24-24 halftime score.
The defensive intensity in the third quarter
The Silverwolves and Titans displayed tough defense in the third quarter. Langston put the Silverwolves up early in the quarter, 27-24, with a layup and a made free throw. After King scored a basket, the Titans returned with Sanders making a three-point shot. Junior forward Cortnie Barker then made a jump shot. With 4:16 on the clock, Eddie connected with another three-pointer and gave Fremont the lead at 32-29. Both teams played great defense and caused turnovers in the quarter. The third period ended with a one-point lead for the Silverwolves, 35-34.
Coombs comes up big in the fourth quarter
Silverwolve’s star forward Coombs only had one made basket until she scored and got fouled. Coombs made the free throw to put Fremont up 38-34 early in the fourth quarter. Barker and Coombs exchanged layups for their teams on the following possessions. With Fremont leading 43-38, the game’s biggest shot came from Hunt making a three-point basket with 4:40 on the clock. Hunt’s basket put the Silverwolves up 46-38.
Fremont’s pressure then caused a Titan turnover. Coombs then made a perfect pass to King for a layup. The lead was now at ten, 48-38, with 4:15 left in the game. Langston made the next two baskets for the Silverwolves, and the score was 52-38 at the 3:17 mark.
The Titans would continue to battle back as Anderson made her third three-pointer. The score now stood at 52-41 with 3:05 left. The Titans would cut the score down to seven points,53-46, on Anderson’s fourth three-pointer with 1:40 remaining in the contest. Coombs would close the game with a layup, and Hunt made a final free throw. The final score was 56-46 Silverwolves.
Outstanding performances
The Silverwolves had a balanced scoring attack, with King leading the way with (13), Coombs (11), Hunt (10), and nine a piece for Eddie and Langston. Team defense was critical in limiting Titan’s leading scorer Sanders to six points.
The Titans Anderson led the team in scoring with 14 points. Anderson’s four three-point baskets are now the third time she has made that many in a game this season. Afo Manuma scored 10 points, and her overall play was vital in keeping the Titans close.
Next games
The Silverwolves have won five straight and look to avenge an earlier season loss to the Davis Darts. The home game is for the region championship on Thursday, February 16, 2023. Winning would give the Silverwolves a share of the region title. Also, Fremont would be one of the top seeds in the state playoffs.
The Titans are the number nine seed in the 6A RPI rankings from MaxPreps. Hosting a first-round playoff game is likely for the Titans. They close the regular season on Thursday, February 16, 2023, on the road against the Layton Lancers.
photos courtesy James Tate