From Deseret News archives:
High school girls basketball: Bengals get even with Warriors
"I was nervous at the beginning of the game," said Junior Kylie Hirschi after the Bengals avenged their earlier region loss to Taylorsville by defeating the Warriors 42-35 Wednesday. "I think the nerves help us. It kind of gets us going. In track, before I race I'm always nervous. It gets your adrenaline going."
The Bengals had no trouble getting going Wednesday night as they jumped out to a 14-4 lead in the first quarter. The second quarter was essentially a draw, but the Warriors came out after the half-time break on fire.
"I think Taylorsville, in our last eight games (over four years) ... have been down to the wire," said Brighton head coach Jim Gresh, adding that individual players don't seem to matter. "Taylorsville and us — it's always a a close game."
In the first region meeting between the Bengals and Warriors, Taylorsville edged Brighton in overtime. The loss is Brighton's only region loss, while Taylorsville's other loss was to Alta, a team Brighton must play again next week.
"Every game we've played is so close," Gresh said shaking his head. "Even in the pre-season — every game was down to the wire or overtime."
Gresh couldn't really even take the time to enjoy Wednesday's win, and the Bengals 5-1 record, which gives them sole possession of first place in the region race. Taylorsville and Skyline are tied in second place at 4-2.
"I'm just thinking about Deb Bennett and the Eagles," said Gresh.
Hirschi said she and her teammates enjoy the close games.
"It was a hard game, a lot of fun," said the junior. "They're a good team."
Hirschi led the team with 12 points, while junior Kimberly Ringwood added 11 points. Taylorsville's third quarter run occurred when Gresh took Hirschi out of the game after she was whistled for her third foul just a minute into the quarter.
"I couldn't let her get four fouls," Gresh said. "But then they tied it up and I had to put her back in."
It was Athena Mauga, who led the Warriors third-quarter run, with six points, four rebounds and a steal in the the third quarter alone. She finished with 11 points to lead the Warriors.
As soon as Hirschi re-entered the game, Ringwood found her for two points and then Hirschi followed that up with two rebounds. The score was tied at 28-28 heading into the fourth quarter, but fouls were not a problem down the stretch and the Bengals dominated.
"Rebounding, speed, passing, scoring, defending, she does it all," Gresh said of Hirschi. "She is very unselfish and she gets the ball to the other girls too."
E-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com
