Boys basketball: Layton uses shooting onslaught to blitz Weber for 79-64 victory
-
- Layton High’s Sam Romer (3) rises to shoot at the rim while Weber’s Thomas Packer, right, tries to contest the play on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Layton.
-
- Weber High’s Ben Olpin (3) drives the basketball past Layton’s Jonah Fullmer (5) on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Layton.
-
- Weber High’s Luke Bingham, left, and Layton’s Karter Miller battle for possession of the basketball on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Layton.
-
- Weber High’s Luke Bingham (15) and Thomas Packer (1) try to box out Layton’s Josh Checketts on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Layton.
-
- Layton High’s Karter Miller (1) reaches for the ball in a game against Weber on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Layton.
-
- Weber High’s Ryder Howe (2) looks to score as Layton defenders close in on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Layton.
-
- Layton High’s Jack Godderidge (14) sizes up the floor as Weber’s Luke Bingham defends on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Layton.
-
- Weber High’s Will Stratford surveys the court during a game against Layton on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Layton.
-
- Layton High’s Jonah Fullmer (5) drives into the paint as Weber’s Ryder Howe plays defense on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Layton.
-
- Weber High’s Ben Olpin (3) drives the basketball as Layton’s Josh Checketts prepares to defend on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Layton.
LAYTON – When the Layton High boys basketball team gets its offense in rhythm, it’s hard to imagine an opponent capable of keeping up.
Weber High managed a respectable effort Tuesday night but, in the end, the home team simply wasn’t missing a whole lot of shots, especially in the fourth quarter.
Sam Romer and Karter Miller each tallied 25 points, Chase Randall added 10 — including eight as part of a fourth-quarter onslaught when Layton made 10 of 13 from the field, including five 3s — and the Lancers ran away for a 79-64 victory.
For the game, Layton shot 58.5% (31 of 53) from the field, including 50% (13 of 26) from beyond the arc.
“This is one of those types of groups that can really get it going and, the good thing is, we have multiple guys who can hit shots,” Layton coach Kelby Miller said. “I think a lot of teams have one or two guys who they really count on, but this group as a whole can really shoot the basketball and when they get it going, it’s fun to watch.”
If there was a moment when the Lancers weren’t scorching the nets, it was early on. After Romer knocked down a 3 on Layton’s first shot attempt of the game, Layton proceeded to miss eight of its next nine shot attempts as Weber took a 10-6 lead.
Then it all changed. The Lancers made their final four shots of the first quarter and first three of the second to build a 23-17 lead. Layton went on to make eight of nine overall in the second quarter to take a 36-28 lead into halftime.
According to Karter Miller, complementary basketball is the key for the Lancers’ offensive success — which includes defense, communicating, getting rebounds and pushing the basketball.
“We work on that all the time,” he said. “Just get to the spot, shoot it, trust yourself.”
After three consecutive Layton misses to start the second half, Weber was back within one following a Ryder Howe 3, but Lancers center Josh Checketts drained a straightaway 3 and Layton was off and running again, taking a 54-42 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Lancers blitzed the Warriors for 21 points in the first 4 1/2 minutes of the final period to establish their largest lead of the game at 75-50. Layton made its first eight shots in the period, a stretch that included all five of their 3s for the quarter.
“It’s fun to play with a lot of great players and it’s fun that we’re all just best friends out on the court there playing really good basketball,” Romer said.
To Weber’s credit, the Warriors shot fairly well to keep it from becoming a laugher. After making just 5 of 20 shots in the first quarter, Weber made 50% (19 of 38) the rest of the way. Howe finished with a team-high 21 points while Luke Bingham added 18 and Derik Bowden chipped in 13. The Warriors made 11 3s.
“(Layton is) good, and I think some of it’s self-inflicted, but they’re a really good team and you got to guard,” Weber coach Landon Cosby said. “If you push out too much on the 3, they’re going to drive you and if you try to play the drive too much, they’re going to make shots.
“Just one of those nights. Everything they did was really good and worked and we just couldn’t seem to get over the hump, so credit to them. They’re a good team, and we’ve got to move on and get ready for Friday.”
Contact Standard-Examiner editor Ryan Comer at rcomer@standard.net.
