Lady’s Keep Their Winning Ways

Wasatch extends winning streak to five games with victory over 

Uintah 59-49

BY KENNY BRISTOW

Wave Sports Writer

It’s been since December 15 of last year that the Wasatch girl’s varsity basketball team has lost a game… a 28-point drubbing by Deseret Hills is the 3A Preseason Preview.  Since then the ladies have turned the tables with five straight wins averaging over 57 points per game while improving their record to 11-3 overall.

Against visiting Uintah last Friday night, the Lady Wasps used a dominating first half to keep the Utes at bay.  Coming out slowly, neither team could find the basket until two and a half minutes had expired.  Sophmore point guard, Ashlyn Coleman got Wasatch on the board first and Tristen Bills closed out the first period with a three-pointer that put them up 14-5.

The black and gold did not let up and continued to outrun, out rebound and outshoot Uintah in the second frame.  After allowing the Utes to hit a three-pointer that pulled them to within six points, the Wasps went on a quick 12-2 tear giving them a 34-18 halftime lead.  

Despite the 16-point advantage at the break, Head Coach Tom Perkins did not appear convinced he had the better team on this night.  “We’ll see in the second half”, the coach said shaking his head a bit.  “We’re still making little mistakes that are causing turnovers.  We have to eliminate that,” he added.

Turns out, Coach Perkins had reason to be concerned as his Wasps were outscored in the third quarter 18-12.  Errant passing and too many fouls were keeping the quick-handed Utes in the game as they pressed the Wasatch guards forcing them into mistakes.  Perkins rotated his line-up often in the fourth quarter keeping fresh legs on the floor helping the Wasps play better defense in the final minutes, securing the win.

Afterwards,, the coach praised his young ladies, but also stressed their lack of focus in key moments… especially after taking a sizeable lead.  “We got a little careless with our passing and some of the girls are not taking advantage of the right scoring opportunities,” he said.  “With the injury to Riley (Gagon, the Wasp’s top inside player) we’ve been forced to go to different line-ups.  The girls have stepped up, but I want them to have more confidence and not just look to Becca for the shot.”

Coach Perkins was, of course, referring to senior guard, Rebecca MaWhinney who had another great game recording a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds.  MaWhinney also added five assists and a steal and hit two, three point shots.  One of the players who has filled in for the injured Gagon, is junior guard Tristen Bills who had her second straight big points production night with 16.  Bills also hit a pair of three-pointers and added three rebounds, three assists and four steals to her impressive score sheet.  Ashlyn Coleman contributed 11 points from the point and senior Renee Fagg was huge underneath with 11 rebounds.

Wasatch will travel to region force Juan Diego this Friday in hopes of staying unbeaten in conference play and keeping their impressive winning streak in tact.  Game time is 5:15 P.M.