Lone Peak coasts to easy win

HIGHLAND — The Lone Peak bench erupted in cheers when freshman Chloe Jarema flicked in the final two buckets for the Knights in the girls basketball game against Lehi. No, she didn't score to win in the final seconds, but they were the first points in her basketball career as her team won the game 71-23.

Jarema and her twin sister Coralie, two popular 6-footers that now reside on the end of the Lone Peak bench biding their time and learning in practice, both entered the game for their first ever varsity action in the fourth quarter. And the Lone Peak girls were obviously ecstatic when one of them scored.

"The girls love those twins. They fit in great with the team. I'm proud of the seniors for the way they reacted at the end of the game," said Lone Peak coach Keith Flood after his starters spent most of the second half on the bench cheering on their teammates.

The Knights rushed out to the early 13-0 lead behind seven points from senior star Caitlyn Sears, four from feisty soccer star Shantel Flannary and two from powerful Amanda Farish. And they just kept things going from there as Lehi never got into the game.

They only managed six points in the first quarter, but the second quarter was even worse as the Knights outscored them 25-2 in eight minutes.

Sears poured in 16 of her 18 points in the first half before riding the bench most of the second in favor of second and third string players.

"Sears is a great player. She runs the floor well and is a great shooter. She's tough to guard in transition and when she gets her shot in rhythm," said Flood after his team lived up to its No. 3 state ranking.

Ryan Littlefield added eight of her 12 in the first half along with nine early rebounds. And Amanda Farish put up eight of her 10 in first half action as well.

And then the bench took over. And the Knights still outscored Lehi 29-15 in the second half, making it more than halfway through the third quarter before hitting double digits on a jumper by Ali Kirkham, who finished with four.

Stephanie Rogers finished as the Knights' leading scorer with six, all coming in the fourth quarter.

But it was Jarema that stole the show and made the bench go wild, even in a 48-point blowout.

"I've been telling the girls that we can't play the score. We have to try to win every quarter," said Flood.

And they almost did just that as the third string came up with a 10-10 draw in the fourth.

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