The Hive Sports

by James Tate

The Darts entered the game 13-0 and ranked number two in the 6A Max Preps RPI, and the Titans were ranked number four. At the final buzzer, the Titans defeated the Darts, won their six straight game, and are on top in Region 1 with a 3-0 region record. A suffocating defense and a big second quarter led to the Titans’ road victory and ended a five-game losing streak to the Darts.

First half

The Darts started the game on a promising note, with senior guard Kate Richards making a three-point shot for an early lead. Titans senior guard Avery Sanders would answer with a layup to make the score 3-2 with 5:40 on the clock. An 8-2 run would put the Titans in the lead 10-5 with 2:30 in the first quarter.

The Titans’ run saw baskets by sophomore Olivia Sorenson, sophomore Maylee Anderson, and senior Cami King, and two made free throws by Sanders. The quarter would end with Darts senior Kendra Kitchen and Titans senior Cortnie Barker exchanging baskets and a three-point basket by Darts sophomore T’Maea Eteuati for a 12-10 score in favor of the Titans.

Sanders would start the Titan’s next run by making a layup and free throw after being fouled to give the Titans a 15-10 lead. King would find an opening in the defense and knock down a three-point basket to make the score 18-10 with 6:40 on the clock. Richards would score the Dart’s next basket for an 18-12 score with 6:13 left in the second quarter.

photo of Grace Thomas

The Titans would take control of the game from this point with scores from junior Grace Thomas, senior Ariah Peterson, and Barker. Thomas made a free throw and layup, and Peterson made a basket for a 23-12 Titans lead. Barker made two layups to give the Titans a 27-12 lead before a basket by Kitchen with 2:07 on the clock. Less than a minute before halftime, Richards made two free throws for the Darts, and Barker made a layup for the Titans before a free throw from Darts senior Avery Dain. The halftime score was 29-17 in favor of the Titans.

Second half

Starting the third quarter, the Darts pushed the pace, with Eteauti looking to score on the offensive end. The Darts started the half on a 7-2 run with five points from Etauti and free throws made by Dain and senior Shea Miller. The score stood at 31-24 in favor of the Titans at 4:17. King knocked down a key three-point basket to push the score to 34-24 and keep the Titans in control.

The quarter would close with the Titans defense holding the Darts to two Kitchen free throws over the final 4:17 and get a three-point basket from Sanders and a free throw from Thomas for a 38-26 lead. The Darts would fight back to start the fourth quarter, with freshman Kate Willard converting a three-point play and Kitchen making a basket for a 38-31 score with 5:04 on the clock.

The Titans shut down the Darts for the next three minutes and would take a 44-31 lead with 1:45 left in the game. The Darts would cut the lead to eight points, 44-36, on a basket by Kitchen and a three-point shot by Eteuati with less than a minute in the game. The game would end on free throws by Sanders and a three-point basket by Richards for a 49-39 final.

photo of Avery Sanders

Outstanding performances

The Titans showcasing their team defense was the highlight of the night, holding Darts leading scorer, Kitchen, to 10 points. Barker’s big second quarter was crucial, and she finished with 13 points. Sanders hit the late game free throws which sealed the win, and she finished with 13 points. The Titans move on and next play at Fremont on January 23, 2023.

Eteuati’s 13 points led the Darts, and Richards and Kitchen finished with 10. The Darts look to rebound at Farmington on January 23, 2023.

cover photo of Cami King (l) and Ariah Peterson (r)

photos courtesy James Tate