As far as one can tell by reading the Utah High School Activities Association’s girls’ basketball records online, the last time a player even attempted 21 free throws in a game (the state record stands at 30) was Valentine’s Day 1997. Monticello senior Kenlee Atwood fell one short of that number in the girls’ third-place game Saturday afternoon, Dec. 16, at Dove Creek’s 2023 Bulldog Classic.
And the Lady Buckaroos – defeated 39-30 by Nucla in the previous day’s semifinals – needed every single one, but even more so her dozen makes in defeating Dolores (a 55-18 victim of DCHS in the semis) 39-31.
Trailing the Lady Bears 13-10 after one quarter and then 22-18 at halftime, MHS (2-6 overall, 0-0 UHSAA 1A Region 19) tied the score in the third quarter at 22-all, then went up 24-22 via senior Kahryme Alvarado’s layup with 2:40 left, and soon began the fourth frame ahead 30-22. Blanked 12-0 in the third, the Lady Bears fought back to as close as 36-31 after senior Ashlyn Mikkelson converted a conventional three-point play – resulting from an Atwood foul – with just 1:01 remaining in regulation.
Atwood, however, then made three of four free throws down the home stretch to secure victory.
Having attempted 12 FTs (making seven) during the second quarter alone, she racked up a game-high 18 points. Joining her in double figures was senior Jemma Robison (10), and senior Makenna Peterson (seven) came close. Alvarado ended up with four points, but went 0-4 from the foul line.
Knocking down two three-pointers during the first half, sophomore guard Keeley Clarke ended up with six points for DHS. Connecting three times from inside the arc, sophomore Taylor Erautt also finished with six points, but neither managed to score after halftime. But fortunately there was help, and most came when Dolores (2-8, 0-0 2A/1A San Juan Basin) needed it most.
Senior Janae Boyd totaled five points for Dolores, two in the fourth quarter. Senior Mikayla Puett scored four of her five points during the fourth, and Mikkelson’s late and-one gave her four points in the interstate action. Juniors Savannah Stiegelmeyer and Halee Kibel (who fouled out with 1:35 left) each chipped in two points, and senior Kylee Burt booked one.
With the year-ending holidays fast approaching, head coach Tiffany Hill’s Lady Bears will pause from play until traveling to nonleague 2A Sargent on Tuesday, Jan. 9.
