>Front Page>Articles>Sports> March 1, 2018
Kanab Cowgirls take third at state
The three point shot at the buzzer by Brinley Cornell that gave the Kanab Cowgirls the victory over Beaver for third place at the 2A State Basketball Tournament, 55-52. Photos by Robert Randall.
The Kanab Cowgirls pulled off one of the biggest upsets in years when they knocked off #1 ranked Wasatch Academy in the quarterfinal game of the 2A State Girls Basketball Tournament last Thursday, 67-58.
Unfortunately, in the semis, they fell to Millard, 67-56. But they redeemed themselves and knocked off Region 18 #1 seed Beaver 55-52, to claim third place in the tourney.
Region 18 proved to be the dominant region in 2A, with the top four teams finishing in the top four spots at state. #2 Millard defeated #3 Enterprise, 47-41, to win their first ever girls state championship.
First, the Wasatch game. Kanab avenged a 16 point loss in the championship game of the Cowgirl Classic on Dec. 9, when they fell 59-43.
The two teams put up nine points in a low scoring first period. Kanab picked up the pace, and led 26-20 at the break. Wasatch Academy, which had lost only one game all year prior to the tournament, cut into the Cowgirls lead in the third, and trailed 38-35, heading into the final quarter. Kanab scorched the nets for 29 points in the final frame, to win 67-58. Wasatch made five more field goals than Kanab did, but the Cowgirls connected on 30 of 40 free throws, to make the difference.
Sidney McDonald led the Cowgirls with 19 points. Brinley Cornell netted 14, while Jessi Anderson and Josie Lathim added 10 apiece. Katelyn Church contributed eight to the cause.
With the big upset, the Cowgirls faced Millard on Friday. The Lady Eagles had beaten the Cowgirls twice already this year, 52-47 at Fillmore, then 47-46 at home on Feb. 1. Millard took an early lead in the first frame, 14-11, and never looked back.
They dominated the second stanza, outscoring Kanab 20-8, to take a commanding 34-19 lead at the half. Millard only scored 10 points in the third period, but the Cowgirls didn't make up much ground, putting in 11, but they still trailed big, 44-30.
Even a huge fourth quarter, which saw the Cowgirls pour in 26 points, wasn't enough, as Millard got the 11 point win, 67-56. The Lady Eagles were red hot from the free throw line, making 24 of 28 or 86 percent. Kanab also shot well from the charity stripe, making 21 of 29, for a respectable 72 percent.
Brinley Cornell made three from beyond the arc on her way to a team-high 19 points. Kassidy Glover tallied 14 points, including two treys, while Katelyn Church added 10 and Josie Lathim eight.
With the tough loss, Kanab faced Beaver for third place on Saturday. Beaver also had beaten Kanab twice this year, 58-46 on Dec. 12, and 53-40 on Jan. 25. Not this time! The two battled evenly throughout the game, with Kanab leading 11-9 after one, and Beaver 19-17 at the half. Kanab fell behind by three points heading into the fourth period, but was able to tie the game at 40-40 at the end of regulation. Sophomore Brinley Cornell hit the game-winner on a last second shot in overtime to give the Cowgirls the victory, 55-52.
Cornell scored seven of her nine points in the extra session. Jessi Anderson and Sidney McDonald netted 11 to lead Kanab scorers. Anderson also led the team with seven rebounds. Katelyn Church added eight points, while Josie Lathim and Kassidy Glover tallied six each.
Congratulations to the Cowgirls on a great tournament and a terrific year!