Girls basketball playoffs: Sanders sparks, Anderson picks it up as Syracuse tops Pleasant Grove
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- Syracuse guard Avery Sanders (3) pushes up court against Pleasant Grove in a 6A second-round game Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Syracuse.
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- Syracuse guard Maylee Anderson (2) drives past Pleasant Grove’s Cash Connors (23) in a 6A second-round game Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Syracuse.
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- Syracuse High girls basketball players huddle during a 6A second-round game Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Syracuse.
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- Syracuse’s Grace Thomas (25) handles the ball against Pleasant Grove’s Amber Cook (24) in a 6A second-round game Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Syracuse.
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- Syracue’s Cortnie Barker handles the basketball during a 6A second-round game Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Syracuse.
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- Syracuse’s Avery Sanders (3) drives past Pleasant Grove’s MaKayla Boyer, left, in a 6A second-round game Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Syracuse.
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- Syracuse’s Grace Thomas drives the basketball during a 6A second-round game Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Syracuse.
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- Syracuse’s Olivia Sorenson handles the basketball against Pleasant Grove in a 6A second-round game Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Syracuse.
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- Syracuse’s Maylee Anderson, left, corrals the basketball against Pleasant Grove’s MaKayla Boyer, right, in a 6A second-round game Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Syracuse.
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- Syracuse’s Camden King passes the basketball in a 6A second-round game Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Syracuse.
SYRACUSE — Syracuse senior point guard Avery Sanders was on fire, scoring 13 points in the first 1 1/4 quarters in the Titans’ second-round 6A state playoff game Thursday against No. 13 Pleasant Grove.
But, when she suddenly felt ill and rushed to the nearest garbage can and threw up, the Titans needed someone to take up the slack and sophomore guard Maylee Anderson was ready for the challenge.
Anderson scored seven straight points late in the second quarter and the Titans didn’t miss a beat, advancing to the quarterfinals with a dominant 49-32 victory over the Vikings.
“I knew once she went out, I needed to step up and get the points and help my team,” Anderson said. “As a sophomore, it took a little bit of pressure, but I got into a rhythm and was able to hit shots.”
Trailing 13-11 late in the first quarter, Sanders made a driving layup just before the buzzer to tie the game at 13 after one.
“We were prepared for them to be in our faces and I knew getting easy points would get us going,” Sanders said. “Just looking for open looks. Layups are the easiest points you can get. It got things going for me.”
Sanders then scored seven straight points to open the second stanza and No. 4 Syracuse (18-5) led 20-13 midway through the period before she had to take the unexpected break.
“Lots of nerves; in the beginning, I was kind of driving a lot, but later in the game my teammates stepped up, so it made it easier and I didn’t have to use as much energy,” she said.
Syracuse was in the midst of a 20-0 run when Anderson scored seven points in the last 1:33 of the half and the Titans led 31-16 heading into the locker room.
Pleasant Grove’s only basket of the second quarter came with 12 seconds left, avoiding the goose egg.
“You feel the confidence build up; defense always leads to offense,” Anderson said. “Maintain the lead and keep the offense flowing and not let up at all.”
Sanders finished with 20 points after the torrid start and Anderson had 13 — nine in the first half when the Titans needed her the most.
Syracuse returns to the quarterfinals for the second straight year, hoping to advance to the semis for the first time in recent memory. The Titans draw No. 12 Skyridge at 9:10 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26, at the University of Utah.