Orem keeps repeat title hopes alive with an easy win over East

TAYLORSVILLE — The Orem Tigers proved they're still the champs, and they will be until someone knocks them off that pedestal. But the Leopards from East couldn't put up much of a fight against the team with repeat on the brain as they lost to the Tigers 56-32.

That same balance and intensity that followed them through last year's 4A state tournament were in evidence against the Leopards, and the team hopes to continue the trend of playing at its peak at just the right time. For now, Orem coach Ross Reed is just happy to be in the quarterfinals.

"I didn't sleep at all last night," he complained, saying that state tournaments don't get any easier no matter how much experience you have in them.

"Every game you know you can go home just like everybody else. In the state tournament anything can happen," noted the man whose team came out of nowhere last year to take the title.

Though the coach didn't get much sleep, the team played like it was business as usual with four players scoring in double figures. Sharpshooter Delyse Downey finished with 15, including three treys and a pair of free throws after everyone else had left the court at the end of the first half.

She was fouled as she launched a Hail Mary and drained the free throws that followed, giving her team the final touches on a 31-15 cushion heading into the second half.

Jamie Sagers finished with 14, including 12 in the first half, when she took charge on both ends of the court. Jessica Saliby finished with 11 for the Tigers, and Brianne Larsen poured in 10, including a long bomb of her own.

While Reed said his team will come back on Thursday and play better, the East squad is heading home despite 15 points by Niesha Gardiner, including one 3-pointer.

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