High school girls basketball: Millard rolls past Wasatch Academy for 2A semifinal win

RICHFIELD — The Millard High School girls basketball team beat Wasatch Academy in a 50-34 state 2A semifinals game in Richfield Friday night.

“It means a lot,” said Millard coach Melanie Bassett. “The girls set a goal to make it to the championship at the first of the season and have worked hard to achieve it.”

The game started as Millard’s Rylee Miller made two shots from outside the perimeter. Miller would go on to ring in six 3-pointers throughout the game.

“It means a lot. The girls set a goal to make it to the championship at the first of the season and have worked hard to achieve it.” — Millard coach Melanie Bassett

“I think that’s the most she’s hit in a game,” Bassett said.

The outside attack proved key, especially early in the game. In addition to Miller, teammate Camilla Robinson also drained a shot from beyond the arch in the first period. Meanwhile, Wasatch Academy’s Nataly Dunka also hit an outside shot, bringing the score to 9-3. 

Wasatch Academy scored the next three baskets, with Dunka driving into the paint twice, and Duda Raimundo making a layup to knot the game at 9-9.

Millard’s Eliza Swallow reclaimed the Eagle’s lead by adding a bucket from under the hoop as the first quarter ended.

“Eliza has been a huge presence for us,” Bassett said. She said Swallow pulled down several key rebounds throughout the game, as well as adding 10 points to the scoreboard.

Millard’s Kobree Penney took to the court in the second stanza, draining a 3-pointer and then drawing a foul to add two more from the charity stripe. 

Millard 50, Wasatch Academy 34

(Box score)

Leading scorers

Millard: Rylee Miller, 22

Wasatch Academy: Duda Raimundo, 15

Then Wasatch Academy’s Raimundo unleashed a pair of 3-pointers, punctuated by another from Penney. 

Penney took the last shot of the half from the foul line, helping Millard maintain a 25-18 advantage.

“She is just one of our all-around players,” Bassett said of Penney. “She gets rebounds, posts up and provides good pressure out there.”

In the third period, Millard’s defense held Wasatch Academy to a single 3-pointer from Raimundo. 

Meanwhile, the Eagles saw three more inside buckets from Swallow and another pair of 3-pointers from Miller, pushing the gap to 37-21.

Miller opened the final stanza with Miller’s final 3-pointer of the night. The remainder of Millard’s scoring came from the foul line. 

Up next for the Eagles is the championship game against North Summit, the No. 1 ranked team in the state in 2A. 

“We are going to have to take care of the ball,” Bassett said. “We are super excited to be here.”

Saturday’s championship game marks Millard’s second appearance in the title bout in three years and is set for 5 p.m. at the Sevier Valley Center in Richfield.