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Show Cyan Magenta Yellow Black Wednesday, December 27, 2006 A7 Sanpete Messenger From repeats to recreation: Sanpete’s top sports stories for 2006 By Sean Hales Associate editor From recreation to repeats to the honoring of local legends, a lot happened in the sports world in Sanpete County this year. Many great stories did not make the cut for this year’s top stories. Most notable of those were the performances of North Sanpete and Manti high schools’ tennis programs. Manti and North Sanpete girls both claimed region titles, but could not overcome the power of private schools at state tournaments. No criteria would suffice to rank these stories from most important to least, so, without further ado, and in no particular order, here are the Sanpete Messenger ’s top picks for 2006: the runner-up, Millard High School, who claimed that a change in the scoring system robbed the team of the title. The scoring system was changed in 2005 to do away with the half-points that had previously been used. Millard claimed, correctly, that under the old system, they would have won the title. The school argued that they were not notified of the change in the scoring system, so the results needed to be nullified and the title handed to Millard. At a hearing on the protest in March, the USHAA denied Millard’s claim to the title. USHAA Assistant Executive Director Rob Cuff Manti Drill team’s contested title said the issue came down to one thing—whether Millard should have known about the scoring change, to which he answered, “We did give notice to the people involved. Repeatedly.” Manti softball repeats A repeat championship again grabbed headlines in May when the Manti High School softball team claimed the title for the second straight year. The team made it undefeated through the playoffs, but in the finals, the San Juan Lady Broncos won the first game, 4-1 to force a true title game. The Templars started a freshman pitcher, McKenzie Hatch, in the second game, and she led Manti to a 9-3 victory. Coaches said the team was deep, and there is a good chance the girls can three-peat in 2007. Snow College football The Manti drill team, under the direction of Mary Ann Thomson in her final year with the team, took the state title for the fifth straight year. Only 4A’s Box Elder High School has won more consecutive titles, Th eM with six from 1997- Feb. anti High Sch ool d 1 Me 2002. the fifth ssenger after rill team grac ed the winning consec front p utive ti The championship the 2A age of me. state c the hampio came under fire, however, from nship for After a bowl-winning, yet unconvincing year in 2005, the 2006 Badgers upped the ante of their consistently stingy defense with a high-powered offense. The Badgers were a legitimate contender for a shot at the national title until a loss in week nine to Eastern Arizona sent them from first in the NJCAA polls to sixth. The Badgers were worth the price of admission with the Staff writer There is no question in any one’s mind that the toughest competition in 2A girls’ basketball will be in Region 12. With a combined record of 41-14, the teams in Region 12 have a better win/loss percentage (.773) than any single nonRegion 12 team in the state. The only team from the region that is not a legitimate final four contender has to be Grand County with a 2-7 record. Take the Red Devils out of the mix and the remaining six teams have an impressive 39-7 pre-season record. That’s a win/loss percentage of .847. But, don’t expect any Region 12 team to make it through the regular season undefeated, there’s just too much parity and too much talent. Here’s a look at the teams from Region 12 and a few of the possible contenders from regions 13 and 14. Region 14 After years of requests, supporters of soccer got their wish Associate editor Region 13 (See “Girls” on A12) South Sanpete sanctions soccer By Sean Hales North Summit will be the team to beat in this region. They are 6-3 in pre-season. The Braves lost to Lyman, Wyo., Rich and Manti. They had a close win over North Sevier in overtime. Other possible contenders from the region are South Summit at 4-5 and Rowland Hall with their 4-4 record. South Summit gets the nod between these two teams due to their tougher schedule and tradition of playing tough. Beaver (5-3), Millard (4-5) and Parowan (4-4) have a shot at making the finals. Beaver has a rich girls’ basketball tradition, but are not as strong as years past. They are playing well and their only losses are to 3A snow nation’s leading offense, and fans may see several Badgers on television in 2007, since many players are moving on to play at Div. I or Div. II schools. The Badgers finished 11-1 with a bowl victory over Coffeyville (Kansas) in the Top of the Mountains Bowl. this month when the South Sanpete School District officially sanctioned soccer for the 20072008 school year. The issue had generated a lot of attention from both sides of the argument and came down to three major considerations: cost, grades and the ability of Gunnison and Manti high schools to field teams. The district said a committee would be formed after the first (See “2006” on A8) Turnovers, missed opportunities steal game from Bulldogs Region 12 girls will dominate 2A basketball By Bob Bahlmann The Manti Lady Templars were the second girls team from the school to repeat for a championship, claiming the 2A state title in May, 2006. A Millard defender gets the block from the help side while Gunnison player, Derrick Christensen draws the foul with an aggressive move to the basket in Gunnison’s 78-46 loss last week. Central Valley Medical Center Central Valley Community Pharmacy Central Valley Home Health, Hospice & Medical Equipment & Supplies Nephi Medical Clinic Fountain Green Medical Clinic A Merry Christmas from us all! GUNNISON—Turnovers and missed opportunities allowed the Millard Eagles to walk away with the win over the Gunnison boys’ basketball team, 78-46, last Thursday. It wasn’t until 3:32 of the first quarter that Gunnison scored when Kevin Nay pulled up for an eight-foot jumper for two. But by then, Millard had put up 10 points, which not even the hustle of freshman guard Derrick Christensen or the solid defense of Jeremy Reid or Brendan Davis could overcome. Both Reid and Davis had several blocks in the contest, and at times demonstrated solid defense in the paint. Christensen had 12 points in the contest, and generated a few turnovers in favor of his team, but it was not enough to overcome the Bulldogs’ own seven turnovers in the first quarter. Defensively, Gunnison struggled to find a solution to Millard’s fast and accurate offense. When Gunnison clogged the paint, Millard would overload and find the isolated man who would drain the outside shot. And when Gunnison spread to stop the isolations plays, Millard would find a man streaking underneath for an easy bucket. The Eagles shot 15-of –27 in the first half to extend their lead, 36-21 at the half. Gunnison stayed nearly even with the Eagles in rebounding (13-16) in the first half. But they were rarely able to get defensive rebounds, the second chances for Millard of(See “Bulldogs” on A8) During this holiday season, we wish to thank you for your support over the past year. We look forward to serving you in the coming year. Seven States Recycling Ephraim We also have Lump, Slack, and Rice Coal! |