Grantsville (12-2) won its first two region games with a 76-22 victory at home over Ben Lomond (3-9) on Jan. 11 and a road win at Morgan (7-7) 66-56 on Jan. 13.
Grantsville shot 35% from 3-point land with nine 3-pointers compared to zero 3-pointers for Ben Lomond. Grantsville led 32-10 after the first half, and expanded the lead to 52-18 after three quarters.
Overall, Grantsville hit 28-51 for 55% shooting, and Ben Lomond hit 11-47 for 23% shooting.
The Cowboys feature talented players who make up for lack of size with talent and determination.
“We are usually undersized against our opponents, but the thing I love about this group is that they play big. They’re able to use their athleticism and grit to make up for any size discrepancy,” Vera said.
Mckenzie Allen averages 21 points per game and five steals per game. She scored 31 points against Ben Lomond and followed it up with another 31 points against Morgan.
Other scorers against Ben Lomond included Baylee Lower 9, Ryann Williams 10, Ellie Thomas 9, Avery Allred 9, Zoey Cloward 4, Brylee Castagno 3, and Morgan Thornton 1. Allen sank four 3-pointers, Lowder 1, Williams 2, Allred 1, Castagno 1.
Allen led the team in rebounds with 10, Lowder 7, Cloward 5, Ware 4, Allred 3, and Williams 2.
Grantsville had 23 steals led by Allen with 8, Ware 6, Williams 4, Allred 3.
Lowder provided two assists, Allen eight, Thomas three and Ware two.
At Morgan, the Cowboys raced out to an 18-8 advantage after the first quarter.
“Our girls came out focused and ready to execute the game plan. We implemented a new press that really flustered Morgan,” the coach said. The Cowboys had 14 steals in the game compared to Morgan’s four steals.
Morgan played even with Grantsville after the first quarter, but the Cowboys’ big lead was too much to overcome and Grantsville won the game 66-56.
Freshman Allred shined in the game at Morgan with 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting including 2-for-2 from 3-point land. She had a team-high six rebounds along with three assists.
Allen led the way with her 31 points which included three 3-pointers. Thomas scored 9 with one 3-pointer, Ware had 5 with a 3-pointer, Cloward 4, and Williams 1.
Grantsville shot 53% from the field, compared to 47% for the Trojans.
Thomas and Ware recorded four rebounds each, Allen three, Cloward three and Lowder one.
Thomas provided five assists, Lowder four, Allred three, Allen two, Williams one, and Cloward one. Ware provided two blocks.
Grantsville traveled to Ogden (4-10) for a game on Tuesday, Jan. 18, and host South Summit (5-9) on Thursday, Jan. 20.