CEDAR CITY – The 3A Girls Basketball Tournament ramps up again on Thursday with four quarterfinal games. It will continue Friday with semifinals and consolation games and a champion will be crowned on Saturday. Come to STGNews.com for full coverage and previews for each day’s games. Here are the matchups for Thursday:
UPPER BRACKET
Richfield vs. Snow Canyon, 4:10 p.m.
Richfield Wildcats (13-8)
Coach: Marc Peterson
How they got here: Tied for second in Region 12 with 5-3 record; Beat Logan in first round 37-28
Top contributors
Emma Jones So. (10.1 ppg)
Shandi Bastian, Jr. (9.1 ppg)
Madisyn Daniels, So. (8.9 ppg)
Rylee Christensen, Sr. (5.1 ppg)
Caitlyn Nabity, So. (4 ppg)
Scoring offense: 46.0 ppg (13th in 3A)
Scoring defense: 38.1 ppg (2nd in 3A)
Snow Canyon Warriors (21-2)
Coach: Daniel Roden
How they got here: First in Region 9 with 9-1 record; Beat Park City in first round 78-44
Top contributors
Madison Mooring, Sr.,(16.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.4 apg, 2.5 spg)
Shaylee Reed, Sr.,(11.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.8 spg)
Sydney Bott, Sr., (7.8 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 1.1 spg)
Nikenna Durante, Sr.,(6.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.9 apg, 2.3 spg)
Natalie Coulam, Sr., (4.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.8 spg)
Scoring offense: 55.0 ppg (3rd in 3A)
Scoring defense: 43.4 ppg (7th in 3A)
Richfield’s prize for its mild upset over Logan is top-ranked Snow Canyon. The two teams met earlier this season in Richfield, a 45-36 win for Snow Canyon. Sydney Bott hit four 3-pointers. “Richfield is very good defensively and they have a couple really good shooters,” said Snow Canyon head coach Dan Roden. “We beat them earlier in the year, but we know they’re a better team now. We’re going to have to play well, but if we continue to play defense and share the ball, I like our chances.” The Lady Wildcats have one of the top defenses in 3A. But you cannot key on one or two players on Snow Canyon. They have multiple playmakers and multiple shooters. Mooring, Durante and Coulam force the action, get their opponents in foul trouble and then hit their free throws. Six different Warriors hit a 3-pointer in the first round.
PREDICTION: Snow Canyon
Pine View v. Morgan, 5:50 p.m.
Pine View Panthers (13-9)
Coach: Chris Brinagh
How they got here: Fourth in Region 9 with 4-6 record; Beat Union in first round 54-48
Top contributors
Tayvia Ahquin, Sr.,(12.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.3 spg)
Stefani Gleave, Sr., (7.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg)
Brenna Moeai, Jr.,(6.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.9 apg, 2.8 spg)
Natasha Fiame, Sr.,(5.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.5 spg)
Saraven Allen, So., (5.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.4 spg)
Scoring offense: 48.1 ppg (11th in 3A)
Scoring defense: 43.3 ppg (6th in 3A)
Morgan Trojans (16-4)
Coach: Kade Morrell
How they got here: Third in Region 11 with 5-3 record; Beat Juab in first round 55-51
Top contributors
Brookelyn Hurlbut (13.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.5 spg)
Kate Blazzard (12.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 6.0 apg, 3.0 spg)
Marcie Stapley (6.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.5 spg)
Jalyn Vandyke (6.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.1 spg)
Morgan Cragun (5.4 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 2 apg, 2.3 spg)
Scoring offense: 58.6 ppg (1st in 3A)
Scoring defense: 43.1 ppg (5th in 3A)
Pine View meets its match in depth and physicality. While Pine View labored in the intense Region 9, Morgan had a much lighter schedule. But the Lady Trojans distribute the ball well. Five different players had eight-plus points in their first-round matchup with Juab. “We have had a chance to study their game film this week,” said Pine View head coach Chris Brinagh. “They are fundamentally sound and very well coached. We need to play our best game and do what we do. This past week our focus has been on getting healthy. Breana Moeai (concussion) and Stefani Gleave (ankle) should be ready for Thursday night,” Pine View is a darkhorse. Coach Brinagh directed them to a 12-9 record without their designated point guard. Claire Newby is not only back, but has now had 2-3 games of acclimating to her teammates.
PREDICTION: Morgan
LOWER BRACKET
Stansbury v. Carbon, 7:30 p.m.
Stansbury Stallions (14-9)
Coach: Kenzie Newton
How they got here: Tied first in Region 10 with 6-2 record; Beat Desert Hills in first round 68-63 OT
Top contributors
Angie Kilpack, Sr.,(10.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.7 spg)
Deanna Castillo, Jr.,(8.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.2spg)
Amber Spaulding, Sr.,(8.8 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.6 spg)
Katrina Flint, Sr., (7.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.6 spg)
Scoring offense: 47.1 ppg (12th in 3A)
Scoring defense: 45.3 ppg (12th in 3A)
Carbon Dinos (21-2)
Coach: Ted Bianco
How they got here: First in Region 12 with 7-1 record; Beat Bear River in first round 47-22
Top contributors
Lindsay Blanc, Jr., Guard (12.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.7 apg, 3.6 spg)
Sara Morley, Sr., Forward (11.4 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 1.1 spg)
Morgan Hillam, Sr., Forward (5.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1 spg)
Scoring offense: 50.7 ppg (9th in 3A)
Scoring defense: 37.1 ppg (1st in 3A)
Kilpack’s 45-footer to send the game into overtime against Desert Hills seemed like the Lady Stallions may be destined for furtherance. Carbon has an impressive record but an undaunting strength of schedule. If there is an upset in the quarterfinals, Stansbury is the most likely to pull it off. It is hard to gauge Carbon based on its first-round victory against arguably the weakest team in the tournament.
PREDICTION: Carbon
Cedar v Juan Diego, 9:10 p.m.
Cedar Redmen (18-5)
Coach: John Elison
How they got here: Second in Region 9 with 8-2 record; Beat Grantsville in first round 60-38
Top contributors
Courtney Morley, Sr.,(13.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.5 spg)
Jessica Whetman, Sr., (7.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg)
Dream Weaver, So.,(6.6 ppg, 2 rpg)
Carly Davis, So.,(6.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg)
Morgan Myers, Jr., (5.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg)
Scoring offense: 53.5 ppg (4th in 3A)
Scoring defense: 44.3 ppg (9th in 3A)
Juan Diego Soaring Eagle (15-5)
Coach: Josh Archuleta
How they got here: First in Region 11 with 7-1 record; Beat North Sanpete in first round 49-40
Top contributors
Becca Curran, Jr. (16.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.7 apg, 3 spg)
AnnMarie Nelson, Sr., C/F (11.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.5 spg)
Brynn Drummond, Jr., G/F (9.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.3 spg)
Mia Berenguer, Sr. (7.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 3 apg, 1.7 spg)
Scoring offense: 55.3 ppg (2nd in 3A)
Scoring defense: 48.6 ppg (16th in 3A)
Cedar beat the Soaring Eagle earlier in the season. Behind most of the game, they came back in the fourth quarter and won by 11 on a neutral floor (Richfield). Juan Diego has outstanding shooters. Cedar has outstanding players. This game will be close, but Cedar has more depth and wins in practically every matchup. Morley is a player that can take over a game when needed. “Lately our entire team has played well,” said Cedar head coach John Elison. “Our post defense has been great. We are peaking at the right time. We got a tough draw. Probably the winner of this game goes to the finals.” The Lady Reds have won nine straight heading into Thursday. They did pull the late game. “I am in bed usually by this time,” said Elison. “The late time doesn’t really bother us. Game day routines will be altered somewhat, but we have some things planned to keep the girls involved, focused.”
PREDICTION: CEDAR
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