The Hive Sports

by James Tate

Kendra Kitchen outscored the Silverwolves and put on a fantastic offensive effort for the Darts’ opening region victory. The game marked a rematch of last season’s Region 1 co-region champions. According to the Max Preps rankings, Davis is the number two ranked 6A team with a 12-0 overall record. The game was physical, and both teams challenged each other on every possession and for every loose ball.

Defense key in the first half

Both teams started off pressuring each other into tough shots and early turnovers. The Silverwolves jumped out to an early 4-0 lead behind baskets by senior Syncere Langston and freshman Abby Christensen. The Darts got their first points from the free-throw line by Kendra Kitchen at the 4:50 mark of the first quarter. Kitchen scored the following four points to give them the lead 6-4 with 2:37 in the quarter.

A three-point basket by Christensen for Fremont and a layup by Darts sophomore T’Maea Eteuati closed the first quarter with an 8-7 score and Darts lead. Kitchen added two blocks in the quarter to lead the Darts on defense.

Kitchen found her spots on the floor in the second quarter, scoring eight points. Christensen kept the Silverwolves close by scoring seven points in the quarter. A three-point basket by Eteuati and a layup by freshman Kate Willard gave the Darts a 23-16 halftime lead.

Silverwolves close lead early in second half

The Silverwolves started the third quarter much like the start of the game, scoring the first five points. Senior Ama Herrick nailed a three-point basket, and Langston converted a layup to narrow the Darts lead to 23-21 with 4:37 on the clock.

Eteuati made her second three-point shot of the game, and Kitchen scored the Dart final 10 points in the third quarter to make the score 36-23. The Darts defense held the Silverwolves to five fourth-quarter points, and Kitchen scored seven points in the quarter. Eteuati knocked down two final free throws to end the scoring and the game with a 43-28.

Outstanding performances

Kitchen’s 31 points is a career-high. The Dart’s overall defense, led by Eteuati, and seniors Avery Dain, Kate Richards and Olivia Lifferth, held Silverwolves leading scorer, Herrick, to three points.

Christensen led the Silverwolves with 14 points. 

photos courtesy of James Tate