TAYLORSVILLE — It wasn't just watching game film that helped Pleasant Grove prepare to meet the defending 5A champions in the first round of the 5A Tournament Monday.

It was an early-morning breakfast.

"We tried to simulate on Saturday what we'd be dealing with today," said Vikings coach Glenn Larson, after Pleasant Grove defeated Skyline 45-34 in the 9:30 a.m. game of the 5A girls state basketball tournament at the Salt Lake Community College Activity Center. "We met for breakfast at 7 a.m. and then watched Skyline on film. Then we practiced at 9:30 a.m."

The Vikings struggled in the first half against the Eagles' double-teaming of 6-foot-6 post Jen Hamson. Various Eagle defenders held Hamson to just two points in the first two quarters of play, although she had three blocked shots in the first half. After the game, Hamson admitted she was a little intimidated by the physical play of the Eagles.

"They were intimidating at first," said Hamson, a junior. "I just don't like getting fouled."

Larson said the Vikings struggled with the double team, but in the second half Skyline switched to man-to-man and the Vikings fared a little better.

"I watched Skyline play," said Larson. "They are a well-disciplined, tough team ... The did a pretty good job on Jen in the first half. Then they switched their defense ... and Jen got going in the second half. Once they went man-to-man, we got the lead."

Hamson led the team with 11 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocked shots. Natalya Parkes added 11 points and three rebounds, while Ana Finau, who sparked the Vikings in the third quarter, finished with seven points and nine rebounds. Katie Mitchell added four points and seven rebounds, while Kourtney Dinehart had four steals.

The speed and athleticism of Skyline's guards caused the Vikings a little trouble with senior Katie Walker earning three steals and Whitney Jenkins earning two steals. Walker led the scoring with 12 points and five rebounds, while Jenkins added eight points and six rebounds.

The Vikings were able to extend their lead once they slowed the pace of the game and passed the ball more before working it into the paint.

"If we control the tempo of the game, and it doesn't turn into a track meet, we'll do OK," Larson said. "We have to just keep pounding it inside. That's our strength; we know it and all of our opponents know it. But you can't go away from your strengths just because everyone knows."

The win means Pleasant Grove will face Syracuse or West Jordan in the quarterfinals at 6 p.m. Thursday. All of the 4A and 5A girls basketball playoffs are in the Lifetime Activities Center on the Campus of Salt Lake Community College.

E-MAIL: adonaldson@desnews.com