The Hive Sports

by James Tate

The Davis Darts opened Region 1 play with a composed, defense‑first performance at home, defeating the Weber Warriors 47–37 in a game shaped by pressure defense, timely scoring, and a momentum‑swinging response in the third quarter. Davis’ quickness on the perimeter and commitment to ball pressure disrupted Weber’s rhythm throughout the night, and a decisive second‑quarter surge helped the Darts take control heading into halftime.

Davis started strong, jumping out to a 5–0 lead, but Weber junior Rylee Jugler quickly took command of the opening frame. She scored nine of the Warriors’ 10 first‑quarter points, responding with a layup, a three‑pointer, and two free throws to push Weber ahead 10–9 after one. Her assertiveness kept the Warriors in step early, and she finished the half with 13 points, carrying much of Weber’s offensive load.

The Darts responded in the second quarter with their most efficient stretch of the night, scoring the game’s following eight points. Junior Kate Willard and senior Emma Loveland knocked down back‑to‑back three‑pointers, and Willard followed with a strong rebound and putback to give Davis a 17–10 lead with 5:45 on the clock. The burst energized the Darts on both ends, and their defensive pressure continued to tighten as the half progressed. Davis carried a 24–18 lead into the break, having seized momentum and control of the game.

Chloe Peery (l) Jade Kulpa (r)

Third quarter turning point

The defining moment arrived midway through the third quarter. With Davis holding a 30–27 lead and 4:12 remaining, Weber senior Katelyn Arbon buried a three‑pointer from the wing to trim the deficit to three and inject energy into the Warriors’ bench. Davis immediately called a timeout, and the game flipped.

Out of the huddle, the Darts unleashed a 7–0 run fueled by energy and relentless defensive pressure. Hannah Garlock opened the burst with a confident three, Lydia Tarbet followed with a strong finish at the rim, and Chloe Peery capped it with a transition layup. Each basket came directly off turnovers, turning Weber’s momentum into a decisive swing the other direction.

The Darts carried a 37–30 lead into the fourth quarter.

Davis extended that lead to open the final period behind a five‑point burst from junior Cambell Christensen, who delivered a layup, a mid‑range jumper, and a free throw to push the margin further out of reach. Defensively, the Darts remained sharp, combining excellent individual effort with strong team communication regardless of lineup.

Weber continued to battle, with junior guard Jade Kulpa attacking the rim and the Warriors working the glass for second‑chance opportunities. Still, Davis’ discipline and poise kept the gap intact.

The Warriors’ commitment to rebounding, defending, and competing to the final whistle will serve them well as they look to bounce back in Region 1 play.

Final scoring leaders included Willard with 16 points (three three‑pointers), Garlock with eight, and Tarbet with seven for Davis. Weber was led by Jugler’s 16 points and Bradey Schiffman’s eight.

Davis closed out the night with a 47–37 victory to open Region 1 at 1–0.

Kate Willard

photos courtesy of James Tate