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Home > Archive > Feb 14, 2008

Lady Warriors and Flyers to Face Off in Playoffs
By Layne Roberts
All season long, it was evident the Lady Warriors would be making another trip to the post-season. After taking state last year in the 3A classification, the Lady Warriors have shown they are eager to get back to the tournament.
The other representative in Region 9 girls’ basketball, however, was not as easily identified.
With a week to play in the regular season Pine View and Dixie were still fighting for their playoff lives. The Lady Flyers had already defeated the Panthers 56-41 at Pine View in January but still needed one victory and a Panther loss to earn a trip to the state tournament. The fastest way to accomplish that would be to win their final home game, which happened to be against Pine View.
Although the pressure was obvious, Dixie Flyers head coach Larry Anderson indicated they did not need to prepare any differently for the game that would prove the fate of his team’s season.
 “You kind of prepare for each game as you would prepare for any game,” coach Anderson said. “The kids are aware of the pressure, so you don’t want to overdue it on that.”
After three-quarters, it looked as if the Flyers would lose control of their own playoff fate, as they trailed 24-29 and had yet to post double-digit points in any quarter.
“It was a tough game. They are a rival. They came at us and our kids did not play as well to start,” Anderson said. “But finally the defense picked up some pretty good steals, and we were able to score off of them.”
Picked it up might be an understatement.
The Lady Flyers would end the game by outscoring the Panthers 23-13 in the fourth quarter, giving them not only a 47-42 region victory over a rival, but a playoff spot in the upcoming 4A state tournament as well.
“We have been getting better every game. We just have not shot well enough to get us over the hump,” Anderson said. “Twenty-three points in the last quarter to win it. … I don’t think we have scored that (in a quarter) all year.”
Anderson stressed that his squad is very team oriented and that everybody plays a vital role in the teams’ success. He did, however, point out a couple of the players that have stood out thus far.
The Lady Flyers are led by 6-foot-1-inch senior Lakell Havens, who averages over 13 points each contest. Havens was also an integral part of the playoff, clinching victory as she shot six of 10 from the field in the second half to help lift the Flyers into the playoffs.
Senior guard Kalehua Harward, whom Anderson also referred to as a team leader, plays very consistently and because ball handling has been an area which needs improvement for the Flyers, she could prove to be vital to the teams’ success in the tournament.
Dixie will focus on staying in shape, shooting the ball better from the field and free-throw line and, as they have all season, focus on their hustle-style of play. The Flyers have been successful in demanding that type of basketball because the players know that if they do not play hard, Anderson has no reservations in replacing them.
Though the Lady Flyers (3-6, 8-11) have not played their best basketball all year long, and though they clinched their playoff spot late in the season, they still have every reason to look forward to the tournament.
Not playing their best basketball all year long could prove valuable to a team that is not overconfident, but determined to prove they can compete. The Lady Flyers are also such a good defensive team that they should be able to remain in contention with anyone they play as long as they don’t lose their focus defensively.
“I think our psyche is very good,” Anderson said. “(The girls) feel like they have not played their best basketball, yet they feel like they know they can play as well as anybody at state. Now they have every opportunity to do that. We are kind of a hidden team, we have the opportunity to prove we are better than what we seem to be.”
The Lady, Flyers, who have had an up-and-down year thus far will get their first opportunity to prove it on Tuesday, Feb. 19, at UVSC, when they play East, West, Olympus, or possibly Murray, whoever finishes third in Region 6 when their regular season ends today.
The Warriors, on the other hand, could be described as aggressive and hungry, having been eliminated by Wasatch in the first round of the 3A playoffs last year, losing 44-48. The Warriors defeated the Flyers on both occasions this season and are one of 4A’s best defensive teams, allowing only 41.48 points per game defensively, which is second only to Olympus.
“We like to press a lot and focus on boxing out and rebounding. If we out-rebound the other team, we feel confident about our chances,” Lady Warriors head coach Wade Jensen said.
The Warriors, though an excellent defensive team, may get more attention for their offense. The Lady Warriors average 59.43 points per game, which coincidentally is also second in 4A, behind only Sky View.
“We like to score points,” Jensen said with a chuckle. “Our philosophy is, if you are open, shoot it. (Defensively) we try to eliminate dribble penetration. We focus on rebounding. If we out-rebound the other team, we will have success,” Jensen said.
Both of the Lady Warrior losses have come as a result of shots made in the final seconds. The Lady Warriors have also started off games incredibly hot, such as a 34-12 halftime lead over potential first-round opponent, the Murray Spartans, when they squared off in December.
Senior guard Whitney Dunlop, who, Jensen referred to as a great shooter before the game, hit the buzzer-beater to end the regular season for the Warriors. Dunlop is the second-leading scorer on the team, averaging 12 points per game.
Another senior, forward Elizabeth Mcarthur, adds a good inside and outside game, helping the Warriors keep their opponents’ defense honest. Mcarthur also averages in the double digits for Snow Canyon, with just over 10 points per game.
Leading the way is standout center senior Angela Walter, who often demands double teams, freeing up her teammates for open shots. Though Walter demands a lot of attention defensively, she still averages a team-leading 14.48 points each contest.
“Coming into the season, we did not know how deep we would be. We feel like we can wear teams down while we can remain fresh because of our bench,” Jensen said.
Jensen said the Warriors will have to focus on rebounding, eliminating dribble penetration on the defensive end of the floor, and taking care of the ball offensively in order to continue their success in the state tournament.
“The game is all about big runs and emotion. Almost every game we have played, we have had some type of big run. We have to eliminate bad stretches; we can’t get too far down,” Jensen said.
The Warriors will take precautions if necessary to make sure their team is healthy to end the season, though Jensen stressed that they want to continue to build momentum to end the season.
He will also prepare his team with scrimmages against the freshman boys to simulate the physical play and speed the playoffs will bring.
The Warriors (9-1, 19-2) will play the fifth-place finisher in Region 5, which will likely be Highland or Olympus. The Warriors, though, could have a rematch in the first round if Murray stumbles to finish the season. The Warriors defeated the Spartans 63-37 earlier this season.

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