Richfield • Panguitch, one of the state’s most successful girls’ basketball programs, earned a chance to to win its fourth title in five years Saturday.
But it wasn’t easy.
Trailing 17-15 early in the third quarter, Panguitch went on a 16-0 run behind Jordan Bennett, Brittney Henrie, Karlee Eyre and Kapri Orton to post the 44-29 win over Rich on Friday.
“We wrote a big 30 on the board before the game,” said Curtis Barney, who is one of the most successful girls’ basketball coaches in Utah history. “If we can hold them to 30 or under, we had a good chance to win. We felt good about our defense [in the first half], but we didn’t feel good about the offense. So we elected to spread the ball out a little.”
Player of the game: Jordan Bennett
Though primarily an inside player, Bennett hit two big 3-pointers as the Bobcats rallied in the second half. She had 11 points, nine rebounds and two steals for Panguitch. “I look like I’m supposed to be inside,” she said. “But I’m usually not.”