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Lindon • In a game hyped as two up-and-coming programs battling for first place in Region 16, third-ranked Summit Academy beat Maeser Prep 40-33 in a game featuring some of the top players in Class 2A.
"It's so big because we haven't won region yet," said Summit Academy's Baylee Leiter. "I think if we take it all — we work really hard for it, and I think that we deserve it."
The Bears (12-4), whose only loss against a 2A opponent was to undefeated Millard in mid-December, improved to 5-0 in league play with their sixth consecutive victory. In the five games prior to Tuesday night, Summit Academy's average margin of victory was 26 points.
"The girls are fighting hard," said Summit Academy coach Gianni Ellefsen. "It's about the girls. They're doing a great job."
If not for an untold number of missed layups, it could have been a yawner. Instead, the Lions continued to chip away before knotting the score at 32 apiece in the fourth quarter before Summit responded with an 8-1 run.
The loss marked the second consecutive setback for Maeser Prep (10-4, 3-2). Bella Harrington — who entered the game averaging 21.6 points and 14.3 rebounds per game — was held to 10 points.
Harrington failed to score in an ugly first quarter from both sides. The Bears led 4-3 after the first eight minutes.
"Rough first quarter. We were 3 for whatever. I think we missed 20-something shots," said Ellefsen, who noted several players were still recovering the flu.
Olivia Mooney, whom Ellefsen referred to as "the best point guard in the state," was the instigator on both ends. In one series in the second quarter, she stole the ball from Harrington, then, on the opposite end, used a hesitation move to draw a defender before finishing underneath.
"[Mooney] creates opportunities for all of our other girls," Ellefsen said. "They're all feeding off what she does, and that starts on the defensive end."
Summit Academy started to create separation in the second frame by not allowing the Lions to establish their half-court sets, often extending its defense to midcourt. Numerous turnovers led to easy buckets in transition or open 3-pointers on the wings. The Bears led 21-14 at halftime.
Leiter, though she doesn't generate the same publicity as Harrington, won the individual matchup. Leiter recorded a game-high 19 points, including nine in the third quarter from a combination of spins and hustle plays to keep Summit Academy's lead intact.
Although Harrington struggled offensively, her presence in the paint influenced Summit Academy to miss open layups, resulting in an exhausting amount of missed opportunities that would have widened the gap. Maeser eventually pulled even early in the fourth quarter on Gracie Sorenson's breakaway layup following a turnover.
But, after slipping behind, Maeser had four fouls to give, but elected to try to force turnovers instead — a strategy that failed to deliver any results, as the Bears drained the clock and finished the game on an 8-1 spurt.
Twitter: @trevorphibbs —
Storylines
R Summit Academy claims first place in Region 16 with win over Maeser Prep.
• Baylee Leiter finishes with 19 points as Bears close game on an 8-1 run.