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Sandy • The Alta girls' basketball team had the kind of first quarter that makes the winning coach smile. Ball-hawking junior guard Mariah Martin and inside player Tatiana Thompson put on a clinic as the Hawks scored 25 points in the first period on their way to a convincing 79-47 victory over Class 5A Lone Peak.
Martin punctuated an 11-point, first-quarter effort by scoring two baskets in 13 seconds, off steals, as Alta raced to a 25-11 first -quarter lead.
"I came out ready to play," said Martin, who scored 20 of her game-high 23 points in the first half and added six rebounds and four steals in three quarters. "I was pushing the ball and getting fast break layups. It was probably my best half. Before the game, the momentum started going and my body felt good."
Emma Clark finished strong in the second quarter for Lone Peak, which cut a 34-10 deficit to 39-26 at halftime.
But after the break, Martin's freshman sister Kemery took over the scoring punch, hitting 17 of her 18 points after the break including two 3-pointers as Alta basically put the game away with a quick 9-2 run.
When Alta coach Elizabeth Gustafson emptied her bench with about five minutes to play, the Hawks had built a 73-38 lead and left no doubt they would improve to 3-1 on the season, the lone loss coming to defending 5A champion Brighton.
Alta utilized a trapping press in the first half that showcased Mariah Martin's skills as a ball thief and got some nice work inside from Thompson, who finished with 17.
"We were efficiently moving the ball," said Gustafson. "Offensively and defensively, she [Mariah Martin] is definitely a key player for us."
While Bountiful and Maple Mountain are expected to be the top teams in Class 4A this season, Alta could be a surprise if it plays like it did Tuesday night.
Next, Alta meets Copper Hills Wednesday night.
Twitter @tribtomwharton —
Alta 79, Lone Peak 47
R Alta's Mariah Martin scores 20 of her game-high 23 points during the first half and adds four steals and six rebounds. Sister Kemery, only a freshman, gets hot in the second half and scores 18 points.
• Emma Clark scores 16 points for Lone Peak.
• Alta improves to 3-1 on the season, its only loss coming to defending 5A champion Brighton.