Softball title punctuates a solid sports season

MURRAY — Though the school captured a state championship in only one sport sanctioned by the UHSAA, Murray had a solid season of competition on the athletic scene.

The Spartans wrapped up the 2006-07 school year with a respectable showing in the Deseret Morning News All-Sports standings with 44 points, good enough for sixth among 4A schools.

Murray's softball team captured the state title with a seemingly easy run through the playoffs while other teams did well enough to give the Spartans the best overall results of any Region 6 school. Cottonwood was second in the conference with 40.5 points.

Here's a quick look back at the recently completed school year.

FOOTBALL: The Spartans made another trip to the playoffs with a 3-4 record in Region 6 behind the strength of Matt Wright, Kaderius Allums and Josh Fitisimanu. Murray's 5-6 season ended with a first-round playoff loss to Box Elder, though.

SOCCER: An incredible regular season proved to be all the Spartans had to look back on with joy. Murray won 14 games to open the season before running into trouble at the end. And though players like Ellen Larsen, Elaina Pappas and Abbie Lever put up plenty of offense, the Spartans were unable to get out of the first round, dropping a 2-0 decision — concluding a 14-2-1 season—to Woods Cross and failing to earn all-sports points.

The Murray boys struggled offensively and didn't reach the playoffs after a 4-12 season.

GOLF: The Murray golfers tied for fifth in the state tournament and picked up 3.5 points for the school as Brad Mills shot 151 over 36 holes.

BASKETBALL: Though the Spartans didn't earn points in the all-sports race on the hardwood, they still had plenty of success. The boys, 12-10 overall, opened the season slowly, but got hot down the stretch with nine wins in 11 games before losing to Woods Cross in the first round of the 4A playoffs.

The Murray girls had a great season with an 18-4 record and a Region 6 title, but like the boys ran into trouble in the first round and lost to Sky View. Chavalah Washington earned All-State honors after averaging 17.0 points.

SWIMMING: The Spartans had another outstanding season in the water with a third-place showing from the boys and a fourth-place effort from the girls. That added 11 points to the school's all-sports total.