Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
TAYLORSVILLE — With 8.6 seconds remaining on the clock, Westlake’s Samantha Hester cut toward the basket and made a 5-foot jumper to give the Thunder a 2-point advantage and, ultimately, the win in the first round of the 6A girls basketball state tournament against Herriman Tuesday afternoon.
The visiting Herriman Mustangs’ Milee Enger was fouled before the ball could be inbounded, giving Herriman one more opportunity to tie up the game. But after making her first free throw, Enger shot an air ball during the second free throw attempt to seal the victory for the Thunder, winning 50-47.
The back-and-forth matchup was in Herriman’s hands for much of the game, with the Mustangs leading by as much as 7 points with about four minutes left in the third quarter. But Westlake continued to chip away at the lead and would take its first lead with one minute left in the third quarter.
Westlake missed five key free throws in the fourth quarter, as Herriman looked to pull away with the victory after a 4-point lead. But the Thunder shook off the jitters at the charity stripe, as Marissa Scoresby and Rian Fullmer sank a combined four clutch free throws to tie up the game with 1:14 left.
Westlake’s Hester led all scorers with 19 points, four assists and three steals in the victory. Fullmer and Tatum Peterson combined for an additional 21 points. Herriman’s Jalyn VanDyke scored nine points and Enger 10 points in the second half to give the Mustangs a shot at the win, but it ultimately wasn’t enough.
Westlake will play Hillcrest, who beat Clearfield 62-47 in the preceding game, in the quarterfinal round Thursday at 5:50 p.m. at Salt Lake Community College.
