The Hive Sports

by James Tate

The 2023 UHSAA Mountain America Credit Union 6A Boys Basketball State Championship tournament tipped off with four first-round matchups.

Region 1 opponents’ matchup in the opening round

The #12 seed Davis Darts completed a three-game season sweep of region 1 rivals #21 seed Weber Warriors. The Darts rebounded with the win after losing their last two region games to the Clearfield Falcons and Fremont Silverwolves. Senior guard Colby Whicker and junior Ike Morgan missed those two games. Both Whicker and Morgan returned for the playoff matchup against the Warriors and lifted the Darts emotionally.

Morgan was in the starting lineup, and Whicker came off the bench in the second quarter of the first-round playoff game. Dart’s junior Caleb Taylor stepped up in the past two games and averaged 8.5 points with Whicker and Morgan out.

First quarter

The Darts came out with energy and a sense of urgency. Senior forward Kaden Eggett scored on a layup off the opening tip. The Warrior’s sophomore guard Tyler Payne responded with a driving layup and was fouled. Payne completed the three-point play with a made free throw to give the Warriors an early 3-2 lead. Eggett and Morgan would score the next two baskets for the Darts to put them back ahead 6-3.

Darts sophomore guard Coleman Atwater made a three-point basket with 3:18 on the clock to give the Darts a 9-5 lead. The Warriors junior forward Malachi Spencer came off the bench and made an impressive two-handed dunk, followed by a three-pointer to put the Warriors on top 10-9 at the end of the first quarter.

Second quarter

The second quarter saw the Darts outscore the Warriors 21-9 and open up an 11-point lead by halftime. Whicker returned to the court, and the Darts were back on track. During the Darts run, Taylor scored eight points, and Eggett and Fisher scored. The halftime score of 30-19 favored the Darts.

The third quarter’s opening was the same way the game started, with Eggett making a layup and Payne scoring next, this time on a three-point shot. Halfway through the quarter, Weber junior sharpshooter Hunter Schenck made a layup for a 35-24 score, Darts. Schenck would add two more three-pointers in the quarter, including one with three seconds on the clock to make the score 38-32 to end the third quarter.

Atwater shines in the fourth quarter for Darts

The fourth quarter started with Taylor making a steal, then a layup, and Atwater making a layup. The lead was up to 10 points, 42-32. Schenck would respond by making two free throws after being fouled on a three-point shot attempt. The sequence of plays at the 6:30 mark of the fourth quarter showed it was the Darts night. Atwater grabbed an offensive rebound but missed the putback shot. Taylor then grabbed the rebound, and Atwater again found the ball in his hands and made a layup while being fouled. The foul shot was good by Atwater, and the Darts led 45-34.

The Warriors would battle back and cut the lead down to seven points with 3:19 on the clock, 50-43, after a three-point basket by Spencer. Schenck would make things enjoyable with two straight three-pointers after Morgan made a free throw for a 52-49 score with 2:06 left in the game. Atwater would put the game away for the Darts with made free throws, but Schenck would make his final shot of the season, a halfcourt three-point basket, as time expired. The final score was 58-52 Darts.

Outstanding performances

Atwater led the Darts in scoring with 18 points. Eggett was next, scoring 16 points. The Darts also saw guard Alex Fisher play great defense on Schenck for most of the game. Schenck got hot behind the three-point arc in the fourth quarter to get the competition very close. Davis moves on to round two and travels to play the #5 seed Riverton Silverwolves.

Schenck was the top scorer in the game with 24 points. Spencer was active on offense and defense, scoring 14 points and getting two steals.

Other 6A first-round scores

(13) Pleasant Grove Vikings 84
(20) Clearfield Falcons 56

(9) Westlake Thunder 102
(24) Hunter Wolverines 60

(10) Farmington Phoenix 72
(23) West Panthers 51

photo courtesy James Tate