TAYLORSVILLE — It was a defensive failure that broke the hearts of the Davis Darts in the semi-finals last year, and coach Amy Wright wasn't about to let that happen this year.
"Last year we lost to a team on defense," she said after the Darts edged Lone Peak 60-55 in a thrilling first-round 5A tournament game at Salt Lake Community College Tuesday afternoon. "That's where you have to win the ballgame, on defense."
But finding the right defense to stop a talented, quick, athletic team like Lone Peak wasn't easy.
"We tried about six different defenses," Wright said. "Man-to-man, that wasn't our game plan, but that's what worked ... They just seemed like they had so many weapons." Lone Peak's defense was what gave the Knights the edge in the second quarter. Both teams played pretty even in the first and third quarters, but Davis began pressing in the fourth quarter, and its half-court trap caused all kinds of headaches for the Knights.
"Our defense let us down," said Lone Peak head coach Keith Flood. "We just kind of lost our composure there at the end. We just didn't settle down. We were playing their game, playing too quick. (The press) shouldn't have affected us, but it did." Lone Peak was led by Ryan Littlefield, who scored 16 points, and Amanda Farish, who finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Davis had five steals in the fourth quarter, four of those off the press. Kelsey Campbell hit a jump shot to give Davis a one-point advantage with 36 seconds left in the game. Then forward Allie Blake stole the ball on the half-court trap and was fouled on the lay-up attempt. She made both foul shots to give the team a 3-point advantage.
Lone Peak's 3-point attempt bounced off the rim, and guard Dani Hosking grabbed the rebound. She was fouled immediately and made both free throws, securing the win for Davis.
Wright said she went to the press to energize her squad's offense.
"We were in trouble," she said. "I had them press to put some excitement back into our offense. Lone Peak is a great team. That is a huge victory for us. They gave us all they could handle." Hosking led the team with 19 points, while Blake added 10 points and Campbell added 11 points. McKenzie Garrett came off the bench and gave the Darts some energy and had a huge 3-point play in the fourth quarter.
Wright said the Darts needed the pressure of the press to inspire their offense.
"We prefer a little chaos," she said with a smile. The Darts will face Skyline in the quarterfinals Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at Salt Lake Community College.
Top Performer: Dani Hosking, hit three 3-pointers in the first half
Key Stat: Davis shot 12-14 from the foul line
Up Next: Quarterfinals, Skyline, 2:30 p.m. Thursday
E-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com