Judge unable to beat unbeaten Wasatch

Aubri Salazar didn't score a single point, but her efforts on the court helped the top-ranked Wasps stay unbeaten against region rival Judge Tuesday night.

"She's our banger," said Wasatch coach Roger Pyper after Wasatch defeated the Bulldogs 50-36 in a thrilling come-from-behind win. "We can't afford to have her foul early in the game, which is why she doesn't start. People can't move her."

Salazar's rebounding and defense helped swing the game in favor of the Wasps who trailed at half-time 26-20.

"I'm a little too aggressive at times," said Salazar, who grabbed up 11 rebounds and earned three steals. "I'm a defensive player ... Rebounding, that's kind of my thing. I just explode up and fight hard."

It's her aggressive style that gets her into foul trouble, but she managed to play the final three and a half minutes of the game with four fouls.

Salazar and forward Kim Parker, who led all scorers with 22 points, said the team went to halftime in an unfamiliar position.

"We haven't been down at halftime that I remember," said Parker. "It's games like this that get us ready for state."

Pyper said he drew a picture on the chalkboard at halftime and the girls took it from there.

"Our girls were frustrated," said Pyper. "It could have gotten ugly but we didn't let it ... We drew a great big heart on the board. They figured it out."

Salazar said the players were able to re-group during halftime because they knew they weren't doing what they have done all year.

"We knew we weren't playing our game," said the junior. "We knew it was going to be a tough game and I think we felt some pressure. Everyone wants to beat us."

Parker said the biggest problem Wasatch had was that they weren't looking to each other in beating Judge.

"We had to play more as a team," said Parker, also a junior. "A lot of us were uptight at the beginning, and we were trying to do things more one-on-one."

In addition to Pyper's encouragement, both players said point guard Alyson Baird helped get them back on track in the second half.

"She's our leader," said Salazar. "She's like the mom of the team."