Boys basketball: Layton rocks Davis 66-43 in Region 1 statement
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- Davis High’s Bode Sparrow, left, collides with Layton’s Karter Miller (1) as Miller handles the basketball on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Layton.
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- Layton High’s Karter Miller, top, tries to corral the ball against Davis players on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Layton.
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- Davis High’s Bennett Wright (3) rises to shoot over Layton’s Jack Godderidge (14) on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Layton.
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- Layton High students cheer before a boys basketball game against Davis on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Layton.
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- Layton High’s Jonah Fullmer grabs a rebound in a game against Davis on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Layton.
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- Davis High’s Croyden Christensen (4) throws a pass to Tradon Bessinger (0) in a game against Layton on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Layton.
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- Layton guard Sam Romer (3) drives against the defense of Davis player Croydon Christensen (4) on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Layton.
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- Davis High’s Tradon Bessinger (0) sizes up the floor as Layton’s Jack Godderidge defends on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Layton.
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- Layton High’s Karter Miller, right, tries to drive past Davis High’s Coleman Atwater on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Layton.
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- Davis High’s Coleman Atwater maneuvers with the ball in a game against Layton on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Layton.
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- Layton High’s Jack Godderidge shoots a layup against Davis on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Layton.
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- Davis High’s Coleman Atwater (1) looks to pass as Layton’s Jack Godderidge (14) defends on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Layton.
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- Layton High’s Josh Checketts handles the basketball in a game against Davis on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Layton.
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- Davis High’s Bennett Wright (3) drives with the basketball while Layton’s Jack Godderidge defends on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Layton.
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- Layton’s Sam Romer, right, tries to operate against the defense of Davis High’s Junior Moala (32) on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Layton.
LAYTON — An electric rivalry boys basketball game between Layton and Davis got even more chippy just 50 seconds in when Davis guard Bode Sparrow drove the lane, drew contact, and made the basket, tying it at two.
No foul was called, and when Sparrow expressed his displeasure, the referees issued a quick technical to calm things down and sent Layton sophomore Karter Miller to the free-throw line at the other end of the floor.
Miller made both charity tosses and the Lancers never trailed, racing to a 9-2 lead early in the first quarter.
“This is a big rivalry game; we came out with intensity and when we get that going, we keep rolling,” Miller said. “The (free throws) got me going and hyped everyone up to keep hitting shots. We push the ball after we get on top and don’t stop.”
The Lancers outscored Davis 18-9 in both the first and second quarters, and weathered a slight comeback in the fourth frame to outdistance the Darts 66-43 in a Region 1 rout Tuesday.
Senior guard Sam Romer splashed home a trio of 3-pointers in the first period as Layton led by nine points after one.
“My teammates were finding me, setting off-ball picks and left me open. I have to be confident and shoot it,” Romer said. “In a rivalry game it’s going to be packed … play our game and not let the crowd get into our heads on the shots we take; react on the court.”
Layton’s 36-18 halftime lead was a combination of good offense and great defense, as the Lancers held Davis to 24% shooting from the field and hit 46% on their tries.
“The biggest thing today was our defense. Everyone knows we’re a good offensive team, but that’s probably the lowest points we’ve held a team to all season,” Romer said. “Play good defense and win games; offense takes care of itself.”
The Lancers led 49-33 after three quarters, but Davis opened the fourth period on an 8-2 run on four points each by Coleman Atwater and JT Turley, closing the gap to 51-41 at the 5:42 mark.
Romer then made yet another three-point play with a driving basket and the resulting free throw, and Layton (12-3, 2-0 Region 1) sailed home from there.
“Stay composed the entire game; play four quarters of basketball. Take smart shots when they make a comeback,” Romer said.
Miller scored eight of his game-high 18 points after Davis (12-3, 1-1) got within 10; Layton won the fourth quarter 17-10.
“Don’t rush anything; trust our teammates and knock down shots,” Miller said.
Romer checked in with 17 points and Jonah Fullmer added 15 points for the Lancers. Miller had a double-double with 10 rebounds.
Atwater netted 16 points for the Darts.
There will be a rematch in Kaysville in three weeks, but Layton owned this Tuesday night in a standing-room-only gym.
“We definitely see the crowd but don’t listen to them, we just sound them out and play our game,” Miller said. “That’s all we’ve got to do.”
