Lady Bobcats too much for Mountain Crest in Region 5 opener

<strong>HYRUM—</strong> The Mountain Crest girls basketball team was ranked fifth in the state in 4A on Monday, Jan. 7, while Sky View was ranked third. In a battle between these two highly rated teams from the valley, it was the Bobcats who found themselves beating the Mustangs, 61-41.

Sky View improved to 11-1 on the season and started Region 5 play with a win, as sophomore guard Lindsey Jensen led the way for the Bobcats with 13 points. Seniors McKenley Hellstern and Danee Evans also scored in double figures for Sky View with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Mountain Crest’s Kelsey Kartchner led all scorers with 16, while the Mustangs’ Katie Wallentine was the top rebounder of the night, pulling down 11 boards.

“That’s a win, I was very happy. Last year we came and won three quarters here and then they beat us in the fourth. That’s what we didn’t want to happen this time,” SV head coach Kimber Hall said. “We got off to a good start. I think McKenley (Hellstern) did really well for us tonight offensively because usually she is dishing out the assists and running the offense but they were covering everybody so tight that it was open for her and she took it to the hole. She can score but she usually runs our offense. She had a great game. Of course Lindsey (Jensen) got warmed up there as we finally got her some shots.”

The Bobcats got out to a quick start jumping out to a 17-9 lead at the end of the first quarter. Mountain Crest would play it closer in the second quarter but found itself trailing 29-19 at the half.

“Katheryn Williams came in and gave us a good effort off the bench in the second quarter when we needed it,” Hall said. “They got within five and we went back in the dressing room up 10. I was a little worried about that thinking that if we go in only up four points instead of 10 or 11 it’s going to give them momentum. We came out and changed defenses in the second half and went man-to-man and the girls responded pretty well. Mountain Crest got some easy buckets on us because we were lazy a little bit, but I was really happy with our performance.”

Sky View didn’t let off the gas as the second half started with a Jensen bucket less than 10 seconds into the third quarter. A couple of 3-point buckets by Jensen and Senior Kendra Falslev spurred the Bobcat’s offense in the most lopsided quarter of the game, as Sky View outscored Mountain Crest 21-9 in the third.

Leading 50-28 after three quarters, Sky View’s Lindsey Koford scored a quick bucket just eight seconds into the fourth quarter giving the Bobcats a 24-point lead – their largest of the game. Mountain Crest outscored Sky View in the fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late.

Sky View will attempt to add to its five-game winning streak when the Bobcats go on the road to face an undefeated Bonneville team, Tuesday, Jan. 15.

“We get Bonneville on the road next,” Hall said. “It’s good to get this win because last year we lost here and then went down there and lost so hopefully we can go down there and win down there.”

With two losses in a row, Mountain Crest drops to 5-6 on the season and 0-1 in Region 5 play. The Mustangs will look to get back on track as they travel to Box Elder on Tuesday as well.

<em><strong>@heywood_kyle</strong></em>

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