CEDAR CITY — A strong finish was the key for the Lady Reds in a 54-41 win over Canyon View as the crosstown rivals met in the first game of the girls basketball season Tuesday night at CVHS.
Cedar never trailed in the game, but Canyon View kept it close and was within two points at 40-38 with three minutes left, but couldn’t get any closer as Cedar rattled off a 12-3 run to finish the game.
Cedar head coach John Elison didn’t feel comfortable about the win, but he’ll take it to start the season.
“It wasn’t comfortable at all, I felt uncomfortable because I don’t think we’re really clicking yet,” Elison said. “When we were up only three, they were closing down in the final minutes. That’s our first game of the season. We’re trying to figure out who we are, but I feel it’s a little frustrating. It’s early. We’ve got a lot to work on defensively, but offensively, I think we’ve got the power.”
The game had a lot of whistles from the referees. Whether it was a turnover or a foul, the clock stopped quite often. But the coaches and players felt it was just because of it being the first game.
“I think it’s more of (the team) keeping our intensity so high,” Cedar point guard Courtney Morley said. “We fouled and fouled, but it’s our first game, and we’re going to get it out of our head, and we’ll be good after awhile.”
Cedar had 10 players score points and was led by Morley with 13, Bailee Fielding with nine and Dream Weaver added seven points.
“That’s what I think we have is some depth,” Elison said. “I feel like if we can figure out how to work that depth to put it together, I think that will be a big benefit for us. I felt like (Morley) had a good night tonight. She was excited to play the game. I thought she did a pretty good job and was balanced.”
Cedar starts the season with not only a win, but also bragging rights over its rival. The rivalry was moved earlier because Canyon View is no longer in Region 9, but the rivalry will continue.
“It (felt) weird (playing CV already), especially this early,” Elison said. “It was a little different for us. You didn’t’ feel the intensity of the region rivalry.”
Even the players felt it was weird and different playing against each other this early.
“It’s way weird, because it’s like our first region game, but it really isn’t,” Morley said. “I think we just came out like, ‘Wow, we’re playing Canyon View!’ We got all excited and it’s a huge rivalry, so it’s fun.”
Canyon View’s Abbie Corry, who led all scorers with 23 points, said it was still competitive, even as the first game.
“We were super excited to play tonight because of the rivalry and stuff,” Corry said. “It was still really, super competitive, because we just want to beat them. It was kind of weird knowing it wasn’t a region game anymore.”
Cedar plays next against Centennial High School Friday at Cedar High School. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. Canyon View will host Beaver Friday at 7 p.m.
“I think in practice, we’re just going to work together as a team,” Corry said. “When we get in under pressure situations, we just need to calm down and control that better.”
Stats: Cedar 54, CV 41
Beaver 50, Hurricane 26
The Lady Tigers traveled to Beaver for their first game of the season Tuesday night.
Beaver, coming off a 55-35 drubbing of Region 9 team Dixie, showed Hurricane similar treatment with a blasting of the Tigers, 50-26.
Abby Yardley led the Beavers and recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. For Hurricane, Morgan Huntsman led the team with six points while Carrie Marshall, Jayden Langford and Kylee Stevens each scored four.
The Tigers play again at 7 p.m. this Friday night at North Sanpete High School. On Saturday, they will travel to Manti for a 5 p.m. game.
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