Harrison's 40 carries Lehi by Colts

It doesn't seem like a team should get nervous about a game in the middle of the season that doesn't even count in region records.

"We had the jitters for the first time in a long time," said forward Michelle Harrison, who led 3A's Pioneers to a 58-50 win over 5A's Cottonwood. "But we got rid of them at halftime, and I think we're more of a second-half team anyway."

It might have taken a few minutes for the Pioneers to shake the rust off, but once they did they played extremely well defensively, and Harrison was virtually unstoppable on offense. The sophomore forward finished with 40 points, 12 rebounds and five blocked shots.

Lehi coach Mike O'Connor said he expected some breakdowns after 2 1/2 weeks without a real game.

"I knew we could have some moments where we would struggle," he said. "They played yesterday, and I thought they came out a lot more crisp. I thought we had some really good stages, be we have a lot to work on . . . Cottonwood really stretches you."

The Colts made several runs that cut into the Pioneers lead behind the outstanding play of Marli Martin. She could have been the poster child for Gatorade as she made steals and then knocked down baskets on the other end. She finished with a team-high 25 points and six steals. Inside Stacie Little kept Cottonwood in the game with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

"It's all about trying to find a way to win," O'Connor said of Lehi, which is ranked fifth in 3A and 14th in the state. "Today we found a different way to win, and I'm really proud of the kids. They work hard."

In addition to Harrison, Andrea Durrant, Tara Asay and Tristen Sunderland all played well defensively. Durrant added eight points and 11 rebounds.

O'Connor and Harrison said the team's goal isn't to just win enough to earn a trip to the state tournament. They did that last year — and performed like they had a paralyzing case of stage fright. The coach said Harrison is motivated by last year's disappointment, and while Harrison said the bad memories are in the past, she admits Lehi intends to perform much differently this February.

"That was not our team," she said. "We're going to be who we are this year . . . We want to be back so bad."

In other games Wednesday:

NONREGION

PANGUITCH 55, PAROWAN 39: The Bobcats defeated the Rams with the help of the Swayer sisters. Jenna Swayer scored 26 points and Hallie Swayer added 18.

WASATCH 50, CARBON 45: Kelsi Remund scored 20 points as the Wasps rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat the Dinos. Brittney Polastro had 18 and Morgan Warburton 16 for Carbon.

RICH 58, COKEVILLE, WYO. 44: Mandy Johnson had 17 points and Sami Cornelison chipped in 15 points as the Rebels defeated the team from Wyoming.

DIXIE 50, SOUTH SEVIER 35: The Flyers were led by Kristin Browley's 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 blocks in a victory over the Wildcats.

PLEASANT GROVE 57, GRANGER 39: Jessica Karr, Lauren Francom and Dannielle Sargent each scored in double figures to lead the way for the Vikings over the Lancers.

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E-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com