RIVERTON — Amanda Hansen and Shannon Hildreth are self-proclaimed "best friends," and the two are playing basketball for Riverton High like coach Ron Ence's best friends as well.

Hansen and Hildreth showed again on Feb. 2 why the Silverwolves are 16-2 and challenging Bingham for first place in Region 3. In a 60-40 win over Kearns, Hansen led the way with 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Hildreth finished with 11 points.

The girls are leading their team in scoring. Hansen is averaging 11.8 points per game, and Hildreth is next with 8.9. Of course, there always seems to be a logical explanation behind success on the court, and this case is no different.

"You've always got one or two on your team that will stay late," says Ence. "It's them."

They say that they are often the last players to leave after practice, and the girls regularly find somewhere else to shoot around for a while once they leave.

"If I see someone working harder, I'm like, 'Oh shoot!' " says Hildreth.

In reference to Hansen, Hildreth attests that "she works hard every day. She won't ever give up."

Ence describes the girls as having "great attitudes."

"They are hard working," he says, "and very coachable."

Hildreth and Hansen have known each other since seventh grade, when they started playing basketball together. Hildreth's father was coaching a summer team and recruited Hansen to play. Their friendship began then and continues to benefit them on the court today.

"We communicate really well without talking," says Hildreth.

Hansen has been playing basketball since the summer before she entered junior high, and it has since become her passion.

"I love it," Hansen says. "(Basketball is) all I ever do. My dad jokes that it's my one true love."

Hildreth began playing competitively at a younger age than Hansen. She began at 8 years old and probably would have started sooner.

"I lived in Louisiana," Hildreth recalls. "They (the recreation league) wouldn't let us play until we were 8."

Outside of basketball, the girls share common interests. They both love the outdoors. They enjoy camping and riding ATVs. They also share clothes, and according to Hildreth they never get in fights. Their strong friendship is obvious to those they meet. They attend school together, play basketball together, and spend their evenings and weekends together. If you are looking for one, you will likely find both. If you're still not convinced of their friendship, just ask. It's apparent in the way they speak about each other.

"She's a really good listener," says Hildreth of Hansen.

Undoubtedly, the success and experiences of this season will bring the girls closer together. With three games remaining in the regular season and the playoffs knocking at the door, Hansen and Hildreth like their chances.

"We have the talent to go as far as we want," Hansen says.

"I think we can do it (win state)," says Hildreth.

There may be only one thing standing in their way. Hansen calls it the "first-round curse." The last two years, the Silverwolves have suffered first-round losses by three and two points, to Viewmont and Fremont, respectively.

"Our main focus is to get past that first round," says Hansen.

Judging by the way they have been playing all season, the chances are looking pretty good.

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E-mail: kradmall@desnews.com