Ready to charge: Lone Peak girls basketball freshmen step up to get Knights back to 6A title game
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- Lone Peak juniors (from left) Lave Holdcraft, Tatiana Harness and Kennedy Woolston laugh together on the bench near the end of the 6A semifinal game against Davis at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
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- Lone Peak freshman Charli Warner shoots a shot during the 6A semifinal game against Davis at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
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- Lone Peak junior Tatiana Harness grins after making a big play during the 6A semifinal game against Davis at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
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- Lone Peak freshman Maddie Pope shoots a 3-pointer during the 6A semifinal game against Davis at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
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- Lone Peak celebrate after a made 3-pointer during the 6A semifinal game against Davis at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
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- Lone Peak freshman Huni Folau goes up for a shot during the 6A semifinal game against Davis at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
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- Lone Peak junior Lave Holdcraft drives to the basket during the 6A semifinal game against Davis at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
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- Lone Peak junior Kennedy Woolston goes up for a layup during the 6A semifinal game against Davis at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
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- Lone Peak junior Tatiana Harness shoots a shot during the 6A semifinal game against Davis at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
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- Lone Peak freshman Huni Folau dribbles up the court during the 6A semifinal game against Davis at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
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- Lone Peak junior Kennedy Woolston drives to the basket during the 6A semifinal game against Davis at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
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- Lone Peak junior Lave Holdcraft goes up for a shot during the 6A semifinal game against Davis at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
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- Lone Peak freshman Maddie Pope shoots a 3-pointer during the 6A semifinal game against Davis at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
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- Lone Peak freshman Maddie Pope goes up for a layup during the 6A semifinal game against Davis at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
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- Lone Peak freshman Charli Warner shoots a shot during the 6A semifinal game against Davis at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
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- Lone Peak head coach Nancy Warner (left) talks to freshmen Charli Warner (right) and Huni Folau during the 6A semifinal game against Davis at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
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- Lone Peak freshman Huni Folau smiles after making a shot during the 6A semifinal game against Davis at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
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- Lone Peak freshman Charli Warner shoots a 3-pointer during the 6A semifinal game against Davis at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
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- Lone Peak junior Tatiana Harness drives to the basket during the 6A semifinal game against Davis at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
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- Lone Peak junior Kennedy Woolston shoots a 3-pointer during the 6A semifinal game against Davis at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
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- Lone Peak players celebrate a made 3-pointer during the 6A semifinal game against Davis at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
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- Lone Peak sophomore Zuri Nordstrom pulls down a rebound during the 6A semifinal game against Davis at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
As the final seconds ticked off the clock in Wednesday’s 6A girls basketball semifinal between No. 7-seed Lone Peak and No. 6-seed Davis at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, one look at Knight junior Lave Holdcraft’s face told the whole story.
It had been a tough day for Holdcraft, one of the experienced leaders for a Lone Peak team that usually doesn’t go very deep on its bench.
She had been tasked with battling the Dart post players and had ended up in foul trouble for most of the contest. She finished with as many fouls as rebounds (five) and more fouls than points (four) or shots (four) in just over 13 minutes of action.
Yet an enormous grin lit up her face as she laughed with the other players on the bench and cheered on those players on the floor.
That’s because despite not having Holdcraft for much of the game, the Knights had had a trio of freshmen answer the call and come up big as Lone Peak rolled to the 66-48 win.
“I was proud of the confidence that our players came in with,” Knight head coach Nancy Warner said. “That was huge. Typically playing a lot of players is not something we do but given the big stage and the bright lights, I’m proud of the way the players who came in played. Even though they made mistakes, they moved on to the next play. As a coach, I’m proud when they do that.”
Knight freshmen Charli Warner (Nancy Warner’s daughter), Maddie Pope and Huni Folau all played more than half the game and made key plays at both ends. That trio combined for 27 points (12 from Pope, nine from Charli Warner and six from Folau) as well as nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and just four turnovers.
Charli Warner, though, said she was just out there having a good time.
“It was really fun just to play with my teammates,” Charli Warner said. “As a freshman, it was my first time in a semifinal game and I get to be playing for my mom. It was super fun just doing what we know we needed to do.”
She said that although Holdcraft was limited by the fouls, the other leaders on the court helped keep everyone confident and playing well as a group.
“I think our like leaders, Kennedy Woolston and Zuri Nordstrom, they stepped up and we just said that we need to come together and that we can do it,” Charli Warner said. “We just had some leaders step up and do what we needed to do to get to get it done.”
After the Knights had so many seniors graduate after winning their third straight 6A title in 2024, the other young players have played a part in Lone Peak developing its identity throughout the entire season.
“I think we know who we are and what we are capable of doing,” Charli Warner said. “Our coaches have instilled that confidence into us, and our leaders always believed in us, even though we might be younger than them.”
Charli Warner has a unique perspective, though, since she has watched her mom coach the team over the years.
“It’s so awesome,” Charli Warner said. “I’ve been a part of this program ever since I was little. I’ve always followed my mom, and so it’s just amazing to be a part of it no and to do it with all of these amazing girls. Now we got it done. Now we’re going to the championship.”
To get there, the Knights had to take down a dangerous Davis squad with some very talented athletes. Nancy Warner said the big key to the Lone Peak win was the way they were able to lock down on the defensive end.
“Our focus is always on our team defense and I think the girls showed what they can do collectively,” Nancy Warner said. “Getting the stops we did let us get out in transition and set up our offense.”
The Knights seized the momentum early, going on a 16-5 run to end the first quarter with a 25-16 lead. The Darts stayed within striking distance through the second quarter, but Lone Peak started the second half with another big push (10-0) to create enough separation to be comfortable for the rest of the game.
The Knights had a balanced scoring effort with Woolston, Pope and junior Tatiana Harness each scoring 12 points while Nordstrom added 11.
Davis was paced by T’Maea Eteuati with 13 points, while Kate Willard had 12 points.
With the win, Lone Peak returns to the 6A title game and has a chance at winning a fourth-consecutive championship.
“It feels amazing,” Nancy Warner said. “I’m so proud of them. I couldn’t be prouder. The fact that they’ve earned that spot to be here (in the finals) is amazing. I’m excited.”
Charli Warner grinned as she talked about getting her first opportunity to play in a state final after just watching the last few years.
“It will be fun,” Charli Warner said. “It’s going to be tough, but we know what we need to do to be able to play together as a team.”
Lone Peak will face top-seeded Copper Hills in the 6A championship, which will take place at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday at 5 p.m.
