The Hive Sports

by James Tate

In a championship‑level battle worthy of the stakes, the Fremont Silverwolves outlasted the Clearfield Falcons 41–39 on Friday night to clinch the Region 5 title outright. Clearfield senior Izzy Wyaskett delivered a spectacular 22‑point performance, including 12 of the Falcons’ 13 second‑half points. Still, Fremont’s timely shooting and late defensive stands proved just enough to preserve a perfect region run.

Falcons strike first

Clearfield opened with urgency and edge, jumping to a 9–1 lead behind relentless defensive pressure that forced Fremont into rushed, uncomfortable looks. Senior Jayla Kearns scored five first‑quarter points, while Amoree Scholer, Wyaskett, and junior Ciara De La O each added baskets to build an 11–6 advantage after one.

Fremont junior Abby Christensen kept the Silverwolves afloat with three points in the opening period, preventing the Falcons from stretching the margin further.

Izzy Wyaskett

Momentum swings in the second

Fremont responded with five straight points to tie the game 11–11 early in the second quarter, but Clearfield answered immediately. Senior Calista Christensen buried a three-pointer, and senior Brighton Bernards scored inside to push the Falcons back ahead 16–11.

Clearfield’s defense continued to disrupt Fremont’s rhythm, yet the Silverwolves clawed back again. Senior Mia Smith knocked down two free throws with 2:10 left to tie the game 21–21.

Then Wyaskett took over. She hit two free throws, then delivered the play of the night, a half‑court steal and a running, buzzer‑beating heave that electrified the gym and sent Clearfield into halftime up 26–21. Wyaskett scored eight in the quarter and was everywhere defensively, fueling the Falcons’ surge.

Despite the momentum shift, Fremont trailed by only five and remained well within striking distance.

Slater’s third‑quarter heroics

The third quarter belonged to Fremont. The Silverwolves chipped away possession by possession, eventually outscoring Clearfield 11–6 in the period. With under a minute left, junior Jersie Slater drilled back‑to‑back three‑pointers, the loudest shots of the night for Fremont, erasing the Falcons’ lead and tying the game 32–32 heading into the fourth.

The gym erupted, and the tension ratcheted even higher as both teams braced for a championship finish.

Ellie McArthur

A championship finish

Fremont grabbed its first lead of the night, 34–32, when Christensen sank two free throws with 6:19 remaining. Wyaskett immediately answered with a deep three to reclaim the lead, but the Silverwolves countered again. Mia and Ellie McArthur combined for four straight points to push Fremont ahead 38–35.

Wyaskett refused to let Clearfield fade. With 46 seconds left, she buried another three, her fourth of the night, trimming the deficit to 40–39 and setting up a dramatic final possession.

But the final minute carried more weight than just the scoreboard. It reflected everything this Clearfield group has poured into the program, the years of climbing, the culture shift, the expectation that the Falcons would no longer be a team fighting to stay relevant, but one that consistently stands among the state’s best.

Seniors like Wyaskett, Kearns, and Bernards have lived that transformation, while juniors such as De La O have helped carry the standard forward. Their identity, toughness, togetherness, and belief have been built over the years.

On the other side, Fremont’s journey had its own emotional layers. The Silverwolves endured in‑season heartbreak after losing one of their starters, a blow that could have derailed a lesser group. Instead, players stepped into expanded roles, embraced leadership responsibilities, and rallied around one another on and off the court. That resilience, forged through adversity, shaped the team that walked into Friday night with an undefeated region record and the confidence to finish the job.

So when the Falcons came out of the timeout, down one with the ball and the gym shaking, it wasn’t just another possession. It was the culmination of years of investment for both programs, Clearfield’s rise into a perennial power and Fremont’s season‑long resolve to stay united.

Fremont’s defense, however, held firm. The Silverwolves forced a stop on Clearfield’s last look. Smith added a free throw in the closing seconds to seal the 41–39 victory, a finish as emotional as it was physical, leaving the Falcons with the sting of the moment but also the unmistakable mark of a program that has earned its place among the state’s elite.

Lily Hall

A Title Earned

The win capped a flawless 12–0 region run for Fremont and delivered the Silverwolves the Region 5 championship outright. Clearfield, despite the heartbreak, showcased heart and toughness, and Wyaskett delivered a superstar performance in a finale that lived up to the moment’s magnitude.

Senior Lily Hall said the moment meant even more because of everything the team had pushed through together.

“I felt like it was such a fun game to play on senior night, and even though our shots weren’t falling, we all just came together and played for each other,” Hall said. “It was so cool to see all of my team support me and everyone else. When the final buzzer sounded, I just looked right at Abby and Mia, ran to each other, and we were so excited. I was super emotional because I just barely got my starting spot, and being part of the team and that game was huge, and I was so happy for everyone. It was so fun, and we can’t wait to ball out in state.”

Christensen echoed that theme of unity and shared belief.

“I think this season has been so special because of how much our team loves each other,” Christensen said. “We’ve put a lot of focus on playing for each other and playing together, and I think that’s really helped us in those moments like the Clearfield game last night. Even when our shots weren’t falling, and we were down, we came together and played as a team, for each other. I think what makes us so special is we have so many girls on our team that can make a huge impact and make big shots to get us going.”

Coming up

Fremont enters the 5A state tournament as the No. 4 seed and will receive a first‑round bye. The Silverwolves will open postseason play in the second round next week.

Clearfield earns the No. 11 seed and will host No. 22 Brighton in the first round on February 17, 2024, at 7 p.m.

photos courtesy of James Tate