KAYSVILLE — Syracuse High senior forward Cortnie Barker was a freshman the last time the Titans beat Davis in a girls basketball game.

Fact is, she didn’t play much in that game and doesn’t really remember it.

But Syracuse’s 49-39 victory over the Darts in a first-place Region 1 clash Friday will be top of mind for some time to come.

“We’d lost five straight and knew they were a good team; we’ve always wanted to beat them. Today was our time and we were prepared this year,” Barker said. “We played some tough teams in the preseason, so we were locked in and ready.”

After a tight first quarter, Syracuse (12-3, 3-0 Region 1) led 12-10 heading into the second stanza.

Avery Sanders opened the second period with a driving layup and resulting free throw, the beginning of a 15-2 run for the Titans that expanded the margin to 27-12 midway through the quarter.

Barker had the final four points of the run on a basket inside and a jumper, finished the quarter with six points and the Titans had more than a glimmer of hope that this was their night. She had 13 points for the game.

“We were so close to winning. On the court we were saying don’t let up, don’t let up. It’s our game; we’re going to get this one,” Barker said.

The half ended 29-17 for the Titans and things didn’t change in the third quarter. The frame ended with the same 12-point margin at 38-26.

Davis (13-1, 2-1) narrowed the gap to 38-31 on a Kendra Kitchen basket early in the final frame, but some well-placed timeouts down the stretch kept the Titans on course.

“That gave us a little breather, to get our feet back under us and finish it off,” Barker said.

Syracuse held Davis to 10, 7, 9 and 13 points in the four quarters, using mostly a zone defense to contain Kitchen, with a back line of Barker, Cami King and Olivia Sorenson.

“We played as a team; it started in practice. We worked on defense super hard,” Barker said. “(Kitchen) is one of the main players we wanted to stop from getting the points she usually does.”

Sanders also had 13 points for the Titans and King checked in with seven.

T’Maea Eteuati scored 11 points for Davis, with a trio of 3-pointers, while Kitchen and Kate Richards both had 10 points.

Fremont and Davis have dominated Region 1 the past few seasons, with Syracuse a strong third. The Titans are hoping for a breakthrough this year.

“This is our year. We’ve had basically the same team for two years now. It’s time we’re going to get the region championship and be the team to beat,” Barker said. “It feels so good. We’re excited.”

Newsletter