Beavers, Rams battle for title

CEDAR CITY -- When it comes to intimidation, Beaver has it.

The Beavers are the two-time defending state champion and ranked No. 1. They are the Region 13 champion and boast a 15-game winning streak.

The one thing they don't have this year is a win over South Sevier, and South Sevier hopes to use it to its advantage.

South Sevier has an impressive resume also: The second-ranked Region 12 champion Rams carry a 16-game winning streak, but most importantly they have a win over Beaver.

It's only fitting that the top two teams in Class 2A will meet in today's 5 p.m. championship game.

"We feel like we can beat them," South Sevier coach Randy Madsen said. "We feel as a team we can compete with them. We're not afraid of them."

The Rams beat the Beavers in Beaver, 53-43, early in the year.

The Beavers are making their third straight championship appearance thanks to a 58-43 victory over Parowan Friday, while the Rams earned their trip with a 46-35 win over Millard.

"We knew we had the potential too be in the finals," Madsen said. "We slowly have put it together and had a great year."

South Sevier (19-3) scored only one point in the first quarter in the win over Millard but fought back for the victory.

Center Nicki Leavitt and guard Jenna Ware led the Rams with 15 points each. Leavitt kept the Rams in the game with seven points in the second quarter, two in the third and six more in the fourth.

Ware scored all her 15 in the second half and she shot 9-of-14 from the foul line in the fourth quarter.

Jill Bailey led the Eagles with 20 points -- her second consecutive 20-point game.

Despite the 15-game winning streak, Beaver coach Jon Marshall said his team hasn't been playing well as of late.

"We're in a funk right now," he said, and he also questions his teams sense of urgency.

"It seems like we're content to see what happens," Marshall said. "Hopefully we'll step up and play better.

In Beaver's win over Parowan Friday, Chelsea Eyre, who is averaging 18.3 points in three tournament games, turned in another huge outing with 20 points. Twelve came in the first quarter when the Beavers (19-4) built a 22-11 lead.

She scored 16 of her 20 points in the first half.

Parowan, which came off an emotional win over Manti Thursday night, couldn't find the rhythm it needed to get back into the game.

Meagan Cooke led the Rams with 15 points and Samantha Rogerson chipped in with 11 more.

Beaver's Tiffany Bradshaw had a fine game with 11 points - seven of which came in the second half.

In consolation action Friday:

NORTH SEVIER 52, MANTI 41: Behind 13 points each from Kristina Peterson and Valma Cook, the Wolves advanced to the consolation championship game with the win over Manti.

Rose Fife led Manti with 12 points.

NORTH SUMMIT 53, JUAN DIEGO 44: The Braves bounced back from their loss to Millard behind 17 points from Whitney Peck and 11 more from Lindsay Kirkham to advance to the consolation championship.

Jessica Smith led Juan Diego with 22 points.

E-mail: jhinton@desnews.com

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