This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Taylorsville • It never felt in jeopardy. Sure Box Elder's 69-62 win over Corner Canyon in the first round of the Class 4A girls' basketball tournament at Salt Lake Community College was close in theory, and in score at times, yet it never truly felt as if the Bees weren't in control.

The Region 1 champions realize that simply going through the motions won't translate to success in future rounds. It was the wake up the Bees needed.

"The girls lacked a little bit of energy, especially defensively. We've played better than that before," Box Elder coach Aaron Dooley said. "We need more energy. If we don't play with more energy in the next round, it'll turn out bad for us. Corner Canyon was fighting for their lives, and they did a great job."

There were moments of brightness in the win, though, specifically at the easiest part of the game that usually creates the most headaches — free throws.

Box Elder converted 27 of 38 attempts, with Keslee Stevenson carrying the lion's share by connecting on 15 of 16 attempts, including 9 of 10 in the fourth quarter when the Chargers pulled within two points late in the final eight minutes.

"We shoot a lot of free throws at practice, and so you got to put yourself in that position. I forgot what was around me," Stevenson said.

Stevenson finished with 27 points, while sophomore Emily Isaacson added 18 points.

Sophomore center Jaeden Vaifanua was phenomenal in the Chargers' first-ever appearance in the state tournament, scoring 27 points and hitting 8 of 10 free throws. She illustrated her versatility by stepping back and hitting a 3-pointer.

"Toward the end, I told my team, 'We need to stay calm,' and that's what we did," Stevenson said.

After winning 10 straight games before losing the regular-season finale against East, Box Elder has delivered two shaky performances in a row. But this team has shown it has firepower and can make a deep run into the postseason.

"I think it's just a different schedule," Dooley said. "Maybe we weren't quite as prepared as we probably could have been emotionally for what was about to happen. We need to make sure we're ready to go."

tphibbs@sltrib.com

Twitter: @trevorphibbs —

Box Elder 69, Corner Canyon 62

• Box Elder converts 27 of 38 attempts from the line to beat Corner Canyon.

• Keslee Stevenson finishes with 27 points, while sophomore Emily Isaacson adds 18 points for the Bees.

• Sophomore center Jaeden Vaifanua scores 27 points in the Chargers' first appearance in the state tournament.