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Richifield • For extended periods of time, Summit Academy wasn't interested in playing basketball. North Sevier is as explosive as any team in the 2A classification, so rather than engage in a track meet, the Bears outright stalled.

But the Wolves were content slogging through the mud, they weren't intimidated by an ugly game and stood back and watched Summit Academy cradle the ball under its wings, as coach Lexa Larsen trusted her defense to win out once the Bears decided to play.

"There was 47-feet that we'd have to guard," explained Wolves coach Lexa Larsen. "I didn't want them to have that much open court because they like to play one-on-one and they're good off the dribble. If they wanted to shorten the game, I have a lot of confidence in my players."

She was right, as the Wolves showed in a 37-35 victory in a Class 2A girls' basketball semifinal Friday.

Tied with 5.2 seconds left, Summit Academy mistakenly fouled on purpose three times with only two fouls to give, allowing Peyton Torgerson to hit two freebies before standing ground on the opposite end to keep the Wolves' pulse alive.

"I know that I practiced all those years for that moment," said Torgerson, who was overcome with emotion. "I knew I wouldn't miss, especially with my team counting on me. I couldn't miss."

The win proved bittersweet, however. JaKel Quarnberg, a gutty 5-foot point guard, severely injured her ankle on the final play of regulation. Considered the engine to the offense, she finished with seven points, including hitting a critical 3-pointer to even the score at 31-all, with 5:13 left. Larsen said, "I don't have a good feeling about it" and added the injury forces her to deepen her bench after using six players this postseason.

"It's happiness and sadness all in one because of JaKel," said Torgerson, wiping away tears streaming down her face. "We just have to trust in the rest of our team, just know that she helped us get here, but we can do it for her."

The Bears soared to an early 7-0 lead behind two triples from Baylee Leiter, who nearly single-handedly supported the Bears. She finished with a game-high 20 points, but North Sevier methodically chipped at its deficit behind Hailey Higgs (10 points), Quarnberg and Torgerson.

The Wolves have now won 20 straight games after opening the season 0-2, including an opening-night 10-point loss to Delta.

"We had 30 turnovers and our offense totally wasn't clicking. It was super disappointing. It was a pretty quiet bus ride," Larsen said of the loss. "It's been a long time. They've definitely gotten better. We've gotten better.

Twitter: @trevorphibbs —

Class 2A girls' basketball championship

Saturday, at the Sevier Valley Center in Richfield

Delta (23-1) vs. North Sevier (20-2), 5 p.m.