Vikings have youth, talent

PLEASANT GROVE — The basketball teams at Pleasant Grove High should have many things in common this season.

Both the girls and boys teams will rely heavily on youth, no player on either team is likely to pass up an open shot and both squads will hang their hats on pressure defense. If they can get the opposing teams to play their style of basketball, it should be a successful year for Vikings hoops.

GIRLS: Though the Vikings returned some of their toughest talent, they also lost Kailee May when she and her family moved to Virginia, leaving them with a gaping hole as their top scorer. However, this is a team made of some tough competitors who played a fantastic preseason last year before falling apart during region competition.

They hope to improve this year upon their 3-7 region mark, but Aimee Dorais and Kristy Giles will have to carry a big load in a difficult league.

Dorais is a point guard that set the state record for assists in a game with 19 last season, and she averaged 7.3 points and 5.8 assists. She'll have to up those numbers this year as the team's leader. As always her shooting is right on target and her ball-handling has improved over last season.

Giles will get a lot of May's shots from last season as one of last year's top post players in the region and will have to do even more this season. She averaged 7.9 points and 7.0 rebounds per game last year, but now she can also go outside and shoot the three as she extended her range over the summer.

"She'll get a lot of touches. We'll be looking for her. All of our shooters have a green light, and we hope to spread it around more," said Pleasant Grove coach Glenn Larsen, who added that the team will miss May, but they'll compensate for her absence with depth.

May scored 15 points per game for the Vikings last year, but this season some of those points will be going to post player Sarah Clement, who has plenty of hops as she can touch the rim and has a nose for rebounds. Whitney Giles, Heather Dahl, Carlie Dixon, MeKell Miles and Kami Dircks will also see the ball more.

"We have good height and good shooting. I hope it all comes together," said Larsen, who added that the team is deep, they are still planning to press the ball but they have confidence playing in the half court if they need to.

Even though this team is not predicted to be one of the top teams in a difficult league, many coaches in the valley are noting that though the top two teams are most likely set, the bottom four have yet to sort themselves out.