Awesome season — Clearfield girls go 18-4, tie for Region 1

Awesome.

That was the word Clearfield girls basketball coach Dorne Hall used to sum up the Falcon's season in which they went 18-4, tied with Layton for the Region 1 title and made it to the quarterfinals of the 5A state tournament.

"It could have gone two games longer, but it could not have been better," said Hall, who took on the head-coaching responsibilities just last fall. The school was without a girls basketball coach, so Hall, who's daughter, Haley Hall, is the team's star player, left his assistant coaching job at Northridge to take over the Falcons program.

"We were worried about it," he said of coaching his own daughter. "But it was great."

In fact, Hall said the two tried to be so respectful of the other's role that it helped his daughter's game.

"She was actually more mature this year," he said. "I think that whole situation probably helped her."

Haley Hall finished the year as the state's leading scorer —averaging 23 points per game. She also earned seven assists, six steals and 4.5 rebounds per game in her senior season. Twice she earned triple doubles this season.

"She's the hardest worker I've ever been around," he said. "We lost two days ago, and she was in the gym yesterday lifting weights and running."

Haley is headed to BYU next year, and her dad knows they're excited about having her come.

"I think they're going to be surprised at what they get," Hall said. "Just the effort day after day. She's a fitness freak."

Haley had a strong supporting cast starting with her lifelong friend Aleena Shelton, who will play soccer at BYU next year. Shelton didn't play basketball last season because of soccer commitments. But Dorne Hall went to her and asked her to try and fit hoops into her winter schedule. She did it, and she made a huge difference for the Falcons in the paint.

"She was always undersized, but she just worked as hard as she could," he said. "I asked her to do all the dirty work, and she did it."

Forward Amy Arbon was the team's co-captain with Haley Hall. She averaged eight rebounds per game and was also good for a long-range jumper when they needed it.

"She's just a really nice kid," Hall said. "She's very talented, and she was just a great example because she was always playing hard. She was sick during the tournament, but played anyway."