Nelson’s clutch play gives Skyridge girls basketball thrilling 2OT win over Westlake
- Skyride players celebrate with senior Anaiya Nelson (center) after the Region 3 game against Westlake in Lehi on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
- Skyridge players celebrate after hitting a big shot during the Region 3 game against Westlake in Lehi on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
- Westlake sophomore Avery Thompson goes up for a shot during the Region 3 game against Skyridge in Lehi on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
- Skyridge junior Ellah Oeser drives to the basket during the Region 3 game against Westlake in Lehi on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
- Skyridge senior Merceius Mili dribbles across the court during the Region 3 game against Westlake in Lehi on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
- Westlake sophomore Avery Thompson goes up for a shot during the Region 3 game against Skyridge in Lehi on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
- Westlake players celebrate tying the game at the end of regulation during the Region 3 game against Skyridge in Lehi on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
- Westlake sophomore Isley Sauvao goes up for a shot during the Region 3 game against Skyridge in Lehi on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
- Westlake junior Keira Hester gets fouled as she shoots a shot during the Region 3 game against Skyridge in Lehi on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
- Skyridge senior Merceius Mili drives to the basket during the Region 3 game against Westlake in Lehi on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
- Skyridge senior Merceius Mili shoots a 3-pointer during the Region 3 game against Westlake in Lehi on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
- Westlake junior Ella Seymore drives to the basket during the Region 3 game against Skyridge in Lehi on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
- Westlake sophomore Janiece Sikander shoots a 3-pointer during the Region 3 game against Skyridge in Lehi on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
- Westlake sophomore Avery Thompson drives to the basket during the Region 3 game against Skyridge in Lehi on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
- Skyridge junior Ellah Oeser goes up for a shot during the Region 3 game against Westlake in Lehi on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
- Skyridge senior Lillian Meyer goes up for a shot during the Region 3 game against Westlake in Lehi on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
- Westlake junior Mia Foster shoots a 3-pointer during the Region 3 game against Skyridge in Lehi on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
- Westlake head coach Charlotte Macfarlane talks to sophomore Janiece Sikander during the Region 3 game against Skyridge in Lehi on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
- Westlake junior Ella Seymore looks to pass during the Region 3 game against Skyridge in Lehi on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
- Skyridge assistant coach Rita Sitivi talks to senior Lillian Meyer during the Region 3 game against Westlake in Lehi on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
Skyridge senior Anaiya Nelson explained that there is a big difference between getting the ball in the final seconds to shoot a jump shot or stepping to the foul line with the game on the line.
Nelson should know.
She got to experience both — and more — in Friday’s Region 3 girls basketball double-overtime showdown between the Falcons and Westlake in Lehi.
But when her Skyridge team needed her, the New Zealand transfer came up clutch each time.
She made a trio of phenomenal plays for the Falcons and although the Thunder had a lot of answers, in the end Skyridge emerged with the thrilling 66-64 2OT victory in front of a raucous crowd.
“That atmosphere was so crazy,” Nelson said with a huge grin. “Back home, we don’t have this. Everyone was in it today.”
In a game that saw both teams make huge runs, it was fittingly close at the end — thanks in large part to a pair of 3-pointer by Nelson.
With the final seconds ticking of the clock, Westlake had a one-point lead but Skyridge had the ball. The Falcons kept working and probing until a crosscourt pass got to Nelson where she was open in the corner.
“I saw the ball coming and I was like I better hit this,” Nelson said. “But when I got it, my mind went clear. It was like, who cares if it misses? I just let it go.”
It turned out to be dead center and the Skyridge fans went nuts as she gave her team the 51-49 lead.
But there was still six seconds left, which turned out to be plenty of time for the Thunder to rally.
Westlake sophomore Avery Johnson got a path into the lane, where she lofted up a floater just over the outstretched hands of the Falcon defender. It nestled into the basket and the buzzer sounded, sending the game to overtime.
“That was a testament to the Westlake coaching staff and the way they were able to get their girls looks at the right time,” Skyridge assistant coach Rita Sitivi said. “But our girls battled.”
In the extra period, the Falcons found themselves down once again in the final minutes, this time trailing by two.
After a frantic scramble, Nelson again got the ball and got bumped as she tried to get open for a desperation shot.
With two seconds left, she stepped up to the free throw line.
“My hand and whole body were shaking,” Nelson said. “I was like, ‘don’t miss! don’t miss!’ I was so nervous but when the first one went in, I was like, I’ve got this.”
Indeed she did as she drained both foul shots to again tie the game and force a second overtime.
Westlake led in the final minute but Skyridge got a short jump shot from senior Merceius Mili to knot the score at 64-64.
The Thunder raced into forecourt in the final second hoping to hit the game-winner, but the ball got away.
Guess who got to it in the ensuing scramble? Yep, Nelson.
“I was just thinking about drawing the foul,” Nelson said. “I didn’t want to give it back to them.”
The whistle blew and once again she headed to the line with the outcome riding on her ability to hit free throws.
“I just trusted her,” Sitivi said. “Her team trusts her to take those big shots.”
Once again, Nelson was up to the task, calmly draining both shots.
“I just knew we won when they went in,” Nelson said.
Westlake had two seconds to work with and nearly got off a desperation heave, but the buzzer sounded and the Skyridge faithful erupted in a wild celebration.
“It was very loud,” Sitivi said. “It was so exciting.”
It was the final chapter of a dramatic set of games. Westlake defeated Skyridge in Saratoga Springs earlier in the season in double overtime, so the two teams ended up playing four overtimes in those two contests.
Skyridge was also without head coach Shaylee Nielsen, who was ill, and got to celebrate the birthday of junior Ellah Oeser with the big win.
The Falcons (11-8) continue the Region 3 gauntlet when they play at Lone Peak on Feb. 4, while the Thunder (13-6) hosts Lehi the same evening.
Both games are slated to begin at 6 p.m.