Mountain View squads optimistic

OREM — Optimism and confidence best describe the upcoming season for the basketball teams at Mountain View.

The Bruins girls team returns the state's best player and a host of other experienced players that should return the team back to the top of Utah's basketball scene. They are the favorites to not only win the Region 4 title but the state title as well. Moving up to Class 5A is a challenge that this team seems ready to meet. Losing in the quarterfinals last year has only made the Bruins more focused and determined.

The boys team has been one of the state's best the past two seasons, but they'll begin this

campaign a little on the inexperienced side. However, those who will take the court for the Bruins this year were part of those teams and were seasoned some by their practice experience. Being around winning teams has a way of rubbing off, and the Bruins believe they know what it takes to be successful.

GIRLS: Once again, the Bruin girls are all the rage. Even though they lost to Timpview in the quarterfinals of the state tournament last year, they're still the team to beat as far as everyone in 5A girls basketball is concerned.

One big reason for the confidence people across the state have in Mountain View is the return of Michelle Harrison, widely considered the top player in the state. She's a 6-foot-3 center who's played in several all-American games and even added the slam dunk to her repertoire over the summer.

"I've been trying for a long time," said Harrison. "But last summer one time during practice it just happened. I've been doing it ever since. Now, I just have to do it during a game."

She's an all-around versatile player and knows how to garner all-state honors. She adds shot-blocking and rebounding to her great scoring and ball-handling skills. And she'll be playing alongside one of the best point guards in the state, Maylene Ornelas, who is also in her second year with the Bruins.

"Maylene has improved her game a lot over the summer and has a lot of colleges looking at her," said Mountain View coach Dave Houle. "Our style will be a little different this year. We're going to be really versatile and balanced inside and out."

But other teams can still count on seeing the vaunted Mountain View press and the full-court run-and-gun offense because the team is loaded with ball-handlers and good shooters.