The Manti Templars suffered their closest defeat yet this season on Friday. They fell just short of Maple Mountain by a score of 45-43. While losing is never fun, Manti can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Utah basketball rankings (they are ranked 86th, while Maple Mountain is ranked 28th).
Manti's loss shouldn't obscure the performances of Cadee Alder, who scored 18 points along with three steals, and June Olsen who scored 15 points along with nine rebounds and three steals. Olsen is on a roll when it comes to points, as she's now scored 15 or more in the last four games she's played.
It was another big night for Jaynee Tanner, who dropped a double-double on 18 points and 14 rebounds for Maple Mountain. The team also got some help courtesy of Shay Brown, who scored 11 points along with two steals.
Manti has been struggling recently, as they've lost six of their last eight matches, which put a noticeable dent in their 6-9 record this season. As for Maple Mountain, they pushed their record up to 11-3 with that win, which was their seventh straight on the road.
Both teams are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Manti the luxury of staying home another game and will welcome Juab at 7:00 p.m. on January 16th. Maple Mountain will take on Springville at 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday. Hopefully Springville focused on turnovers this week since the team gave up 14 last Tuesday.
