RICHFIELD — For North Sevier and coach Lexa Larsen, it must be comforting having a proven leader and point guard such as Kasta Nielsen.
"She's the glue that holds us together," said Larsen. "She gives everyone confidence . . . She makes the right decisions. She is an extension of myself out on the floor because she knows exactly what I want and how I want things done out there."
Nielsen played a nearly flawless floor-game while directing the offense and led North Sevier past North Summit 52-37.
Although her numbers were respectable — she scored 14 points while dishing out five assists — it was her overall floor-presence that stood out. Her influence was in more than the statistics. It was reminiscent of how a certain point guard in Utah's past could dictate a game without completely dominating.
"She might turn the ball over, and people wonder why she is out there so much. I hardly ever take her out, but she does all the little things. She knows the game. She makes the right pass, or gets the big basket when we need it."
While Nielsen was the obvious leader, it was the complete team effort on defense that gave the Wolves the lead. The team limited North Summit to only three points in the first quarter and only eight in the second.
"I thought our defensive effort was great," said Larsen. "At halftime we had only given up four field goals, and those came from outside. We set the tone defensively that we were not going to let them get to the basket."
The Wolves continue their championship aspirations tonight at 5 at the Sevier Valley Center, a fitting name for a title contest pitting North Sevier against South Sevier.
In other 2A playoff games Friday.
SOUTH SEVIER 49, SAN JUAN 39: The Rams advanced to the title game for the fourth time in six years behind a balanced attack. Kacee Jacobs led all scorers with 13 points.
RICHFIELD 60, WATERFORD 54 (2OT): The Wildcats eliminated the Ravens in a double-overtime thriller. Katie Christensen led the way with her 22 points.
MANTI 57, ENTERPRISE 39: The Templars jumped out front to an early 10-point lead and never looked back as they cruised to the win. Kelsie Johnson led the way with 19 points.
E-mail: mblack@desnews.com