Woods Cross • It’s looking more and more as though the state title could go through the Cyprus girls’ basketball team this year. And after an impressive road victory Tuesday, it will be in solid position to make a run.
The Pirates (18-1) all but sealed up the Region 6 title with a gritty 42-39 win against Woods Cross. The rematch on the Wildcats’ home court was slower paced and closer than their previous competition, but opportunistic defense and a few fast breaks helped put Cyprus on top.
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Last year, the Pirates sneaked into the 5A playoffs as a fourth seed. Now, they’ll be playing as a No. 1.
"It really has rejuvenated basketball at Cyprus this year," forward Lori Parkinson said. "We’ve worked really hard, and the community is starting to notice. We’re ready for state."
The Pirates got a stiff test from Woods Cross, arguably their toughest region foe, and had to take the Wildcats down on Senior Night. Senior 6-foot-3 center Emily Howey in particular presented a big problem, forcing Cyprus to double her down low.
Parkinson carried the Pirates in scoring, showing a fairly consistent midrange game and knocking down a game-high 17 points. Abby Barrett also created a headache for Woods Cross, scoring all nine of her points in the second half.
It also helped that Cyprus was able to mostly lock out guard Natalie Parsons, holding her to seven points. The Pirates mostly used a triangle and two to concentrate on Parsons and Howey, daring the Wildcats’ supporting cast to beat them.
"I was just worried about [Howey] and helped out Lori every time she got the ball in the post," Barrett said. "Then a few of the girls started hitting shots, and I was like, ‘Oh boy.’ We knew we had to play them a little tougher."
Woods Cross did manage to sink six 3-pointers, and Howey finished with 10 points. But Cyprus stepped up its defensive intensity in the second half, picking out steals that led to easy layups. Even in the final minutes, the Wildcats surrendered a pair of steals that led to points for Barrett and Parkinson.
The Pirates also rebounded well defensively, helping limit Wood Cross’ second chances. And like that, the Wildcats’ chance at revenge fell flat.
"I’m sure tomorrow, it will hit them that we were right there with the No. 1-ranked team in the state," Woods Cross coach Mark Sidwell said. "Overall though, there were just a couple of shots we needed to make that didn’t go down. Cyprus did a great job of covering our best players, and we couldn’t make them pay."
Twitter: @kylegoon
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