Basketball Recap: Merit Preparatory Academy Takes Loss Despite Strong Efforts from Sarai Gambler and Ayla Coltharp

Merit Preparatory Academy played a tough match on Friday in which they were outscored in every quarter. They came up short against the Rockwell Marshals, falling 55-35. The Knights were in a tough position after the first half, with the score already sitting at 28-5.

Ayla Coltharp

Rebounds (Career)

01/31/25 vs Rockwell	11
01/05/24 vs Freedom Prep Academy	8
01/17/25 vs Freedom Prep Academy	7
01/17/24 vs Utah Military Academy - Camp Williams	6
01/25/24 vs Wasatch Academy	6

Despite the defeat, Merit Preparatory Academy had strong showings from Ayla Coltharp, who dropped a double-double on 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Sarai Gambler, who posted six points and four steals. The dominant performance gave Coltharp a new career-high in boards.

Merit Preparatory Academy's loss dropped their record down to 4-8. As for Rockwell, they are on a roll lately: they've won six of their last seven contests, which provided a nice bump to their 9-12 record this season.

Merit Preparatory Academy wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next game, a 26-13 win against Utah Military Academy - Camp Williams on the 4th. As for Rockwell, they also didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next matchup, a 46-10 victory against Wasatch Academy on the 5th.