From Deseret News archives:
Defensive-minded: MVPs knew how to shut down opponents
It's their coachability.
Three pitchers and a catcher, these players led their teams to titles with an emphasis on defense and the ability to hit in critical situations.
Most important, all four players put their teammates first.
5A MVP: CYD ALLEN, Taylorsville
Allen was turning heads as a freshman both behind the plate and when she stepped up to it to hit.
But in her junior year, she was earning accolades not just for her onfield performances, which were thrilling, but also for her off-the-field leadership.
A teammate's brother remarked that he'd never seen a player, boy or girl, "who was able to do so much for a team," according to Taylorsville coach Rich Kaelin.
"She was a very, very good leader this year," Kaelin said.
Allen is known for her fun-loving attitude, which kept her young teammates loose and close-knit. But she also knew when to buckle down and go to work, Kaelin said.
She also racked up some eye-popping stats. She finished the year with 12 home runs and a .532 batting average. She also played a key role in the Warriors' volleyball success, while representing her peers as a student body officer.
Anyone who has ever watched Brittany Parker play softball knows she's one of the most talented players in the state. But what her teammates and coaches know from years of watching her work on their behalf is how much she'll do to succeed.
"Her strength is that she's such a competitor," said Murray head coach Lisa Parker, who also happens to be Brittany's mom. "Especially in this year's state tournament, she showed that.
She was focused and she knew exactly what she had to do and what she wanted."
And then she went out and threw heat and smashed home runs to get it.
The senior, who will play for the University of Utah next season, set a new state home run record with 14 long balls. She had an eye-popping 60 RBIs, while pitching nearly every inning of every game.
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