With four Gillinses on the Beaver roster, the law of averages is in favor of at least one of them having a good game. That theory held true.
Junior Macy Gillins, the cousin of Makenzie Gillins, scored a team-high 16 points, while McKenzie added 11 points as did Kristen Marchant to lead the Beaver Beavers to their third state 2A state basketball championship with a 66-60 victory over Millard Saturday afternoon in SUU's Centrum.The game was billed as "Millard vs. Beaver, Part II" as the two clubs squared off in last year's final. But for the Beaver girls it was more of a farewell to coach Brian Wood, who, citing personal reasons, is stepping down after guiding the Beavers to three straight titles and a consolation crown.
"We all wanted to win it for him," Macy Gillins said. "If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't be here."
Wood echoed a similar thought by praising the girls, especially the seniors.
Starting with that group and the girls that followed, Wood and Co. lifted a team that was 1-17 and 2-16 before he took over, to a team that is now at the pinnacle of 2A girls basketball - three-time defending state champions.
The Beavers, using the full- and half-court press that helped them to a 23-1 season record, jumped out to a 8-3 lead behind six quick points from Macy Gillins.
Millard fought back to within one at 8-7, but a 9-4 run late in the first quarter gave the Beavers an 17-11 cushion.
A Makenzie Gillins three-ball followed by a two-pointer by junior Brittany Smith, the Beavers built a 26-15 and then cruised to a 35-21 halftime advantage.
An 18-4 run Millard run, fueled by 10 points from sophomore Amanda Monroe, pulled the Eagles with two at 41-39, but a Kristen Marchant three-pointer tp end the third quarter gave Beaver a 44-40 lead.
Millard had several opportunites to take the lead after they cut it to one at 44-43 and 46-45 but couldn't capitalize, only to see Beaver mount a 10-0 run to put the game out of reach 56-45 with four minutes to go.
Millard got as close as six the rest of the contest. Monroe led Millard with a game-high 21 points.
Third-place game
North Sevier 65, South Summit 52: Shadow Shaheen scored 17 points as did Chasity Peterson, thanks to five three-pointers as North Sevier held off South Summit for third place in the tournament.
Julie Blazzard led South Summit with 21 points.
Fifth-place game
Morgan 59, South Sevier 49: Dallas Bice scored a game-high 21 points and teammate Amber Manning scored 11 Morgan beat South Sevier for fifth place.
Hayley Jo Nielson led South Sevier with 12 points.