The Hive Sports

by James Tate

The Davis Darts (24-3) scored 32 points in the fourth quarter to break open a tight game and capture the school’s ninth boys’ basketball title. The Herriman Mustangs (24-3) held a four-point lead at halftime, but the second half belonged to the Darts. Darts senior Coleman Atwater would not let early foul trouble deny him or the Darts on this night. Atwater finished with a game-high 24 points, including making all eight of his free throws in the game.

Darts sophomore Bode Sparrow scored 16 points, pulled down nine rebounds, and was relentless with his drives to the basket. The Mustangs played an outstanding game and led at the end of every quarter except at the final buzzer. Junior guard Carlo Mulford led the Mustangs with 23 points.

Game highlights

Atwater scored the Dart’s first two baskets but picked up his second foul in the game’s first three minutes. The Mustangs took advantage of fouls committed by the Darts and made seven of eight free throws in the first quarter. Mulford scored 11 points, and senior Cale Barclay scored eight, accounting for all the Mustangs’ 19 first-quarter points. Atwater led the Darts with seven points in the opening quarter, and the Mustangs led 19-17.

In the second quarter, the Mustangs had their largest lead, 32-23, with 2:37 on the clock. Sophomore Stone Tia led the scoring for the Mustangs with seven points in the quarter and provided energy with his play around the basket. Senior Croydon Christensen kept the Darts close with four points in the quarter. The Mustangs would hold a slim lead 34-30 at halftime.

Both teams had moments of excitement and frustration in the third quarter. Christensen opened the scoring of the second half with a layup and was fouled on the shot. After making the free throw, the Darts cut the Mustangs’ lead to one point, 34-33. The Mustangs responded and went on a 7-1 run, leading 41-34 with 4:05 on the clock. Barclay keyed the run with a three-point basket that forced a Dart timeout. Atwater and senior Juni Moala scored the Darts’ next nine points in the quarter to stay close, and Tia scored on two layups to give the Mustangs a 46-43 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter was all Darts from the start, and it was the Atwater and Sparrow show. Atwater scored 12 points in the final period, including the team’s final six points from the free throw line. Sparrow starred with his play from the start of the quarter with his relentless drives to the basket. The Darts would get a big three-point basket from junior Tradon Bessinger to tie the score at 48 at the 6:40 mark.

Mulford responded for the Mustangs with a three-point basket to retake the lead 53-50 with 4:52 left in the game. Atwater and Sparrow scored the game’s following eight points, giving the Darts a 58-53 lead with 3:00 left. Senior Bryker Couser hit a three-point basket with 2:04 on the clock to make the score 61-55, giving the Darts control and forcing the Mustangs to foul.

Sparrow, senior J.T. Turley, and Atwater would close the game out by converting on all 14 free throws, and the Mustangs would not get closer. The final score was 75-64, and the Darts take home the 2025 Boys 6A state championship.

Outstanding performers

Atwater scored 24 points in the game and averaged 21.5 for the tournament. Sparrow finished with 16 points and nine rebounds, and Turley scored 12 points, grabbed six rebounds, and had seven assists. The Darts’ energy on the boards, team defense, and ability to get loose balls showed in a rebounding advantage of 31-20.

Mulford and Barclay led the Mustangs in scoring with 23 and 21 points, respectively. Tia provided a spark in the second and third quarters and finished with 11 points.

photos courtesy of James Tate