KAYSVILLE -- With two games remaining on their schedule, the Davis Darts have yet to find a worthy opponent on the hardwood. Though the Viewmont Vikings had a strong initial showing, they proved to be no match for the Darts tenacious team, as they picked up the 65-50 win Tuesday night. "We've played well together as a team so far," said Jackson Stevenett, who finished the game with 24 points and six rebounds. "We've all known each other for a long time, so playing together and playing well isn't out of the ordinary for us." The game started as a very tight contest. Both teams traded shots and played tenaciously on defense. Viewmont jumped out to a quick six-point lead before the Darts were able to put up a basket. Viewmont's lead didn't last long though. By the end of the quarter, the Darts were up by two.

"You have to give credit to this team," coach Jay Welk said. "They've played like this practically every game. We always look like we start slow, but we've finished the job every game so far." The defense clamped down in the second quarter, not allowing a single basket for nearly four minutes as they built up a lead. By the time the Vikings had called a time out, they were down 13 points. The Darts only allowed five points in the quarter while offensively scoring 13 and took a 10- point lead at the half.

Stevenett, who had 10 points in the first half, saw the Darts taking advantage of every opportunity they had.

"It's pretty exciting the way we play," he said. "We go out there and have fun with each other, but we know we have to take care of things once we step out on the floor. We always say it's a complete team effort."

The third quarter wasn't so hot for the Darts, as they came out struggling offensively. Mitch Florence, after sitting most of the first half in foul trouble, picked up his fourth foul early and was forced to sit on the bench again.

Though the Darts fought hard without him, they were outscored 14-11 as the Vikings had hoped to mount a comeback down by nine.

"It was a little hard to have to sit," said Florence.

"But my teammates picked me up until I got back on the floor."

The Darts exploded in the fourth quarter. Though they slipped a little on defense, they put up a scorching 25 points in the quarter as the Vikings were simply trying to stop the Darts any way they could. As the game drew closer to its end, the student section was shouting "UNDEFEATED! UNDEFEATED!"

"It feels good, I have to admit," said Welk.

"We still don't think about it that much. We have two games left and we'll concentrate on those as we finish up the season."

The win gives the Darts its third straight Region title.

Conner VanBrocklin finished with 14 points and Chase Flint had 10 points and seven rebounds. They'll continue the quest to remain undefeated with two road games, beginning with Clearfield.

The Vikings will face Syracuse at home.



sgillet@davisclipper.com