Here’s a recap of Tuesday’s 2A semifinals at UVU, with No. 1 Kanab advancing to the semis. This story will be updated.
Kanab 48, North Summit 33
Any team that’s had to play Kanab this year has had to ask itself, “What are we going to do about Rylee Little?“ That question is a lot easier to answer in theory than in practice, as the 6-foot-4 Utah commit stands as one of the top recruits in the state.
North Summit attempted to pack the paint and double Little when possible. That strategy kept it close for a half, but Kanab’s dominance won out in a 48-33 semifinal win.
North Summit took a brief three-point lead late in the second quarter. The Braves played in a zone and doubled Little when they could.
While Kanab was holding its own on the boards, Little went off the court because of foul trouble. However, a three-point play from Kaycee Castagno kept it tied at halftime. Castagno ended with 14 points and five steals.
“Taylin (Kelly) and Kaycee Castagno stepped up," said Kanab head coach Klint Glover. “Kaycee never quit. She got the and-one at halftime, and that’s what we were hoping with Riley in foul trouble. We wanted to go even at halftime and win it in the second half.”
Holding out through the first half was successful for Kanab as Little dominated the second half both offensively and defensively. Kanab also started more aggressively attacking the high post to break through the zone.
“We put a guard in the high post in the second half and Jaydee Houston picked up where she left off," Glover said. “We kind of hurt them there, but they’re well coached. They knew what they had to stop and they did a good job.”
She used her length to her advantage to pull in 21 rebounds, 11 of which were offensive. Little protected the paint with five blocks and four steals. North Summit shot just 27% from the field.
Offensively, Little led Kanab with 17 points. The Cowboys quickly pulled the game out of reach with a 6-0 run to start the third quarter and an 8-0 run in the fourth. Kanab outscored North Summit 27-12 in the second half.
“She’s special, not just as a basketball player, but she’s unique in so many ways, uniquely good,” Glover said. “She mothers these kids and is so positive with them, about as good as I’ve ever seen. She really has a lot of patience, and yet she has a lot of fight in her too.”