Boys basketball playoffs: Katoa leads balanced Layton in topping Farmington in 6A quarters
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- Layton’s David Katoa dunks the ball against Farmington in the 6A quarterfinals Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, in Salt Lake City.
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- Layton’s Mekhi Martin (1) surveys the floor as Farmington’s Braden Larsen (3) defends in the 6A quarterfinals Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, in Salt Lake City.
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- Layton’s KJ Miller, right, drives against Farmington in the 6A quarterfinals Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, in Salt Lake City.
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- Layton’s Mekhi Martin (1) and Farmington’s Ethan Harris (11) battle near midcourt in the 6A quarterfinals Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, in Salt Lake City.
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- Layton’s Sam Romer (3) avoids Farmington pressure in the 6A quarterfinals Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, in Salt Lake City.
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- Layton’s David Katoa (10) blocks Farmington’s Paul Beattie (42) in the 6A quarterfinals Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, in Salt Lake City.
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- Layton’s Mekhi Martin (1) shoots over Farmington’s Ethan Harris (11) in the 6A quarterfinals Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, in Salt Lake City.
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- Layton’s KJ Miller (42) dribbles against Farmington’s Jayden Haskell (23) in the 6A quarterfinals Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, in Salt Lake City.
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- Layton’s Mekhi Martin (1) handles the ball against Farmington in the 6A quarterfinals Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, in Salt Lake City.
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- Layton High’s David Katoa surveys the court against Farmington in the 6A quarterfinals Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, in Salt Lake City.
SALT LAKE CITY — Layton High senior guard Dave Katoa is going on an LDS mission before he begins his career on scholarship at the University of Utah.
But, he gave fans a preview of what to expect at the Huntsman Center with a 19-point, five-assist performance against Farmington in the quarterfinals of the 6A state tournament Monday afternoon.
“I love this place; this is the place,” Katoa said. “My shot was going in. This feels like home. I’ve been here a few times. It’s great to be back.”
Katoa and KJ Miller were red-hot in the first half as Layton opened up a huge lead and the No. 1 Lancers coasted into the semifinals with a comfortable, 77-61 victory.
Layton (24-1) narrowly swept the Phoenix in Region 1 regular season action; both games were single-digit wins with one going into overtime.
Not this time.
“We focused on us, how we play. We were really dialed in from the start to finish. We concentrated on our defense a lot more. Defense is what gets you wins. Offense can only take you so far,” Katoa said. “We know who they are, what their style is. Just made little adjustments.”
No. 9 Farmington (14-10) hung around for one quarter, trailing 19-16 mainly through the efforts of Ethan Atkinson, who scored seven points.
A 28-12 second stanza by the Lancers erased any hopes the Phoenix had of rising from the ashes, putting it down 47-28.
“We were playing as a team. Everyone was hitting shots, playing together,” Katoa said.
Katoa splashed home a trio of treys in the second period — four in the first half — and Miller made three 3s in the half for all of his nine points in the game.
Farmington and Layton swapped advantages in the third and fourth quarters, but the Phoenix never got closer than 11 points in the second half.
Paul Beattie led Farmington with a game-high 20 points and recorded a double-double by pulling down 10 rebounds. Atkinson scored 11 points, while Bradon Larsen and Jaden Haskell netted 10 each.
Mekhi Martin was saddled with foul trouble but still managed 14 points for the Lancers. Jonah Fullmer came off the bench and checked in with 12 points — 10 in the second half — as the Lancers spread the love around after the break.
Sam Romer scored seven points and hauled down a team-high nine rebounds from the guard line.
“With everyone scoring and everyone contributing, that’s when we’re the best,” Katoa said. “We’re super excited. One game at a time and be ready.”
Layton’s semifinal draw is No. 4 Corner Canyon (18-7) at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The Chargers advanced after handling No. 5 American Fork 67-58.