Tradon Bessinger, left of Davis High battles to gain control of the ball against Karter Miller of Layton High during their game at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
By Bruce Smith

Folks in certain parts of Davis County firmly believe the battle for the Region 1 boys prep basketball title will likely be between two of their favorite teams.

Round One between Layton and Davis occurred Tuesday night, and Layton’s Karter Miller put a stamp on his 16th birthday celebration with one of the best nights of his Lancer career that led to a 66-43 victory in front of a near-capacity crowd.

Miller scored 18 points, Sam Romer added 17 and Jonah Fullmer 15 as Layton felt the excitement of this rivalry contest on its home court right away.

With Davis just above them in the latest RPI rankings, the Lancers seized the momentum from their first basket and earned a convincing win to improve to 12-3 overall and 2-0 in Region 1.

“We get up for this game. It’s that kind of rivalry,” said coach Kelby Miller. “We played Layton basketball. We made our shots and battled hard for all of those 50-50 balls.”

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Coach Chad Sims of Davis High has a discussion with referee Maurice Roberts during their game against Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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Bennett Wright, left, of Davis High scrambles for a loose ball against Sam Romer of Layton High during their game at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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JT Turley, left, of Davis High looks for a shot over the outstretched hands of Jack Godderidge and Josh Checketts of Layton High during their game at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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Coach Chad Sims of Davis High has a discussion with referee Maurice Roberts during their game against Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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From left, Coleman Atwater of Davis High, Karter Miller of Layton High, Junior Moala of Davis and Josh Checketts of Layton reach for a rebound during their game at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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Karter Miller of Layton High runs into the defensive pressure of Junior Moala, left, and Bode Sparrow of Davis High during their game at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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Bennett Wright, left, of Davis High scrambles for a loose ball against Sam Romer of Layton High during their game at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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Layton High students light up their photos as the introduction of their players are announced prior to their game against Davis High at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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Tradon Bessinger, left of Davis High battles to gain control of the ball against Karter Miller of Layton High during their game at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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Josh Checketts of Layton High reaches to block a shot attempted by Coleman Atwater of Davis High during their game at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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Layton High fans react to a three point shot against Davis High during their game at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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Tradon Bessinger, left, of Davis High attempts to block a shot by Josh Checkets of Layton High during their game at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. Davis player Croydon Christensen (4) also defends on the play. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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Karter Miller of Layton High is announced prior to their matchup against Davis High at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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Josh Checketts, left, of Layton High passes around the pressure of Croydon Christensen of Davis High during their game at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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Bode Sparrow, left and Bryker Couser of Davis High attempt in vain to grab a loose ball away from Jonah Fullmer of Layton High during their game at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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Jordan Fullmer of Layton High, center, attempts a layup against the pressure of Bryker Couser (20) and JT Turley of Davis High during their game at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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At left, coach Chad Sims of Davis High talks with his players after finding themselves behind by double digits against Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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Junior Moala, left, of Davis High blocks the progression of Sam Romer of Layton High as he makes an shot at the hoop during their game at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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JT Turley, right, of Davis High makes a difficult pass attempt over the arms of Sam Romer of Layton High during their game at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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From left, Josh Checketts and Sam Romer of Layton collide with JT Turley of Davis High while trying to grab a rebound during their game at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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Jonah Fullmer of Layton High makes a shot past the outstretched hans of Bennett Wright of Davis High during their game at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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Chase Randall, right of Layton High drives around the screen and the defense of Bryker Couser of Davis High during their game at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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Sydnee Murray and other girls from the Layton High Lancelles perform at the half time during a game against Davis High at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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Layton High cheerleader Gwen Chatterton performs during halftime of their game against Davis High at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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Layton High fans react to a key play during their game against Davis High at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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Coleman Atwater of Davis High drives to the hoop with pressure from Jack Godderidge of Layton High during their game at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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Tradon Bessinger of Davis High fouls Karter Miller of Layton High on the shot during their game at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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JT Turley of Davis High looks for a shot against Jonah Fullmer of Layton High during their game at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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JT Turley, left, of Davis High passes around the arms of Josh Checketts of Layton High during their game at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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Bode Sparrow of Davis High looks up at the scoreboard while checking out of the game against Layton High during their game at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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Coleman Atwater, right, of Davis High drives past Jack Godderidge of Layton High during their game at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret
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Fans of Davis High cheer following a three point shot against Layton High during their game at Layton High in Layton Tuesday, January 14, 2024. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Coach Miller was particularly proud of his son, a sophomore, who was in the middle of most of those on-court scraps. Karter Miller said he noticed that after Layton took a 2-0 lead, the Darts retaliated with a 3-pointer.

However, game officials whistled the Davis player for a technical foul for over-celebrating and Layton took full advantage, making the ensuing free throws to retake the lead and then added a 3-pointer of its own.

By the end of the first quarter, Layton held an 18-9 lead and never relinquished it.

“That really got us going,” Karter Miller said. “I just kept going after the ball and didn’t give up.”

Kelby Miller said Layton is a better team when the younger Miller can track down the ball and either dribble or whistle passes to his teammates downcourt for easy baskets.

What’s ironic is Layton has a talented 6-foot-8 senior center, Josh Checketts, and Miller is only a 6-foot-1 sophomore, yet Miller scored in double figures for the 10th straight time and also grabbed a season-high 13 rebounds.

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Defensively, the Lancers’ hustle forced the Darts into just 35% shooting (17-of-48). Layton also won the rebounding battle 38-30 and made 8 of 17 3-pointers.

Layton’s fans, including the Lancers’ upbeat student section, enjoyed much of the game as the Lancers built the margin to between 15 and 20 points for much of the second half and withstood a Davis comeback early after halftime.

The Darts got 16 points from Coleman Atwater but were unable to create any long-term momentum and saw their  overall record drop to 12-3 after five straight wins.

“It was a good win for us but we know (the Darts) will be back and we’ll have to try to win one at their place later this season,” coach Miller said. “This is a great rivalry and it’s better for all of basketball if both of our teams are good. You can’t beat this kind of environment.”

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