Cardon, Jensen pace Sky View

WASHINGTON TERRACE — Even a star can use some help now and then.

Sky View Bobcat point guard Trisha Cardon is the obvious team leader and usually the high scorer. And as usual, she came through down the stretch for the fourth-ranked Bobcats as they topped Bonneville 52-49 on Tuesday.

But when the team was trying to fend off a Laker rally in the third quarter, it was teammate Tonya Jensen who scored the points and grabbed the critical rebounds. Jensen's play helped the Bobcats hold onto their slim lead, and then in the fourth quarter, Cardon was back to beating the defense and scoring points.

"They're a good team," said Bonneville coach Matt Williams. "They're tough. We managed to shut down Cardon in the third quarter, and Jensen stepped up and scored 12 points that quarter."

Jensen and Cardon each finished with 17 points, and Jensen grabbed nine rebounds. Cardon also had five steals and Tiffany Fonua dished out five assists in the win that puts the Bobcats firmly in first place as the first half of Region 4 play ends.

"I knew this would be a tough game on their court," said Sky View coach Tonya Voeller. "We had a starter go down before the game, and the girls really stepped it up for her . . . It was a good game."

The teams were never more than a few points apart and both played well defensively. The Bobcats' chemistry is something that is making Cardon's senior season even more fun.

"I want to do good my senior year because we have a fun team and really talented girls," said Cardon, who will attend Utah State University on a soccer scholarship. "I think we'll do pretty well."

Cardon is leading the state in 3-point shooting, even though she didn't play competitively until her freshman year. She's been a starter since her sophomore year.

"She's got a lot of stamina," Voeller said of her point guard. "She plays nearly the entire game. She's great."

Bonneville struggled at the foul line, shooting 7 of 16, something that's plagued it this season.

"This year that's an issue," Williams said. "Our two region games we lost were by three and four points and we missed foul shots. It's a mental thing."

Michelle Manuel had a great game, finishing with a team-high 13 points and six steals. Williams was happy with how well his bench performed in the tight game.

"We had some players come in and really do well for us," he said, noting Alex Filiaga and Krista Farr especially. Both coaches know there are a lot of games left to play before anyone can feel comfortable in a region where the parity is better than any other region in the state.

"We'll be alright," Williams said. "We'll see them again . . . We're fighters, and we'll be OK."

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