The Hive Sports

by James Tate

The Redhawks capture the 2024 UHSAA Mountain America Girls Basketball State Championship with a 62-35 win over the Wasatch Wasps. Taylor Harvey led the way with 24 points, and Milika Satuala scored 19. The Redhawks finished the season with a 24-3 record and back-to-back state titles.

First quarter shutout

Both teams had a slow after the opening tip, but the Redhawks found their rhythm first. The Redhawk’s defense would dominate the first quarter as they outscored the Wasps 17-0. Harvey would lead the scoring with six points in the quarter, followed by sophomore guard Adelaide Stevenson, who scored five points. Offensive rebounds by the Redhawks led to many second-chance opportunities that the Wasps could not stop. Satuala scored four points, and Charlotte Johnson added a basket to round out the scoring in the first quarter.

The Wasps were able to get on the board with a made free throw by junior guard Peyton Behnke at the start of the second quarter. With 4:58 on the clock, the Redhawks grew their lead to 23-3.

The Wasp started slow on offense due to the defense of the Redhawks and the interior length of Harvey and Johnson. The Redhawks were quicker to loose balls, making every possession for the Wasps difficult. The first half ended with a score of 29-7 in favor of the Redhawks. Satuala led the scoring for the Redhawks in the second quarter with eight points, and Johnson scored four.

photo of Taylor Harvey

Harvey dominating in the third quarter

With a comfortable 29-7 lead, the Redhawks knew the Wasps would come out with more intensity in the second half. The Wasps did score the first four points on a basket by sophomore Anna Greenwell and two free throws from Behnke.

Harvey would score 13 of the Redhawks’ 19 third-quarter points. Johnson would convert on two three-point play opportunities to score the other six points. The Wasps would keep playing hard and score 13 third-quarter points, led by Behnke’s nine points. At the end of the third quarter, the score was 48-20 in favor of the Redhawks. Harvey dominated the period by scoring, blocking shots, and taking control of the game with her ball handling.

Satuala and Harvey would control the fourth quarter and answer any challenge the Wasps would make to cut into the lead. Behnke would knock down two three-point baskets, and Garner would score five points for the Wasps in the final period. Satuala scored seven points and Harvey five in the fourth quarter for the Redhawks. The Redhawks would have back-to-back titles at the final buzzer with a 62-35 final score.

photo of Sila Tu’akoi

The Redhawks will look for the trifecta next season as they return everyone except lone senior Sila Tu’akoi. Tu’akoi had a steal in her final game.

“Honestly, I had no doubt, I had no doubt in my team and my coaches,” Tu’akoi said. “They prepared us as much as possible, and we went out there and went crazy. I hope next year we do the triple. We were locked in and mentally prepared from the beginning of the day.”

Outstanding performances

Harvey’s final box score was 24 points, eight rebounds, six blocks, and four steals. Satuala and Johnson also grabbed eight rebounds each, with Satuala scoring 19 points and Johnson scoring ten.

Behnke led the Wasps with 16 points, and Garner was the game’s leading rebounder with 11.

cover photo courtesy of Lesli Groves (Haven Rock Photography)

All other photos courtesy James Tate