Provo runs over Highland

Amber Bosco is delighted with her teammates this season, despite having just one other girl with starting varsity experience.

"I love our team this season," said Bosco with a grin after the Bulldogs pulled away from the Rams in the second half to earn a 49-24 win. "Everyone really wants to work their hardest every single second of every game. It's just their work ethic; no one has to say anything. All of these girls just work really hard."

The Bulldogs' stamina paid off in the second half as they decided to make the Rams chase them.

"That third quarter really went our way," said head coach Cory Green. "We finally got the game to the tempo we needed to be successful."

Added Bosco, "We like to push it — the whole game."

Green said the Bulldogs struggled in the first half because Highland did such a great job rebounding that the Rams earned multiple shots on offense.

"The thing that hurt us the most was rebounding," he said. "Highland is a really physical team, and we just couldn't keep them off the boards. ... When you give a team two or three chances, you're going to keep them in the game."

That all changed when the Bulldogs came out in the second half pressing, which yielded some steals and intercepted passes. It also led to some easy transition baskets for Provo. Bosco led all scorers with 22 points, while teammates Ethline Fa'atoafe added 10 points and was a standout defensively as well.

Green said the team's preseason schedule is meant to help the players prepare for the variety of teams they'll see in region play next month.

"Our region has such parity that you can't overlook anybody top to bottom," he said. "Nobody is going to go the season without a win, and likewise, nobody is going to go undefeated."

Bosco said she and her teammates are prepared for what the region season will bring and hope their good chemistry will help them reach their potential.

"Maybe it's just our year to do it all," she said with another smile.

Highland was led by Ame White, who finished with 10 points, while Losa Faka'osi added seven points in the loss. The Rams are a tough team that plays just a little inconsistently.

"We have a good group of returning starters," said coach Kambria Davis. "I think we're just getting used to a new coach, a new offense, a new mindset. ... When we can put four quarters of basketball together, we'll be in any game. ... I am very happy with our improvement each week."

---

E-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com