From Deseret News archives:
Defensive-minded: MVPs knew how to shut down opponents
It's their coachability.
Three pitchers and a catcher, these players led their teams to titles with an emphasis on defense and the ability to hit in critical situations.
Most important, all four players put their teammates first.
5A MVP: CYD ALLEN, Taylorsville
Allen was turning heads as a freshman both behind the plate and when she stepped up to it to hit.
But in her junior year, she was earning accolades not just for her onfield performances, which were thrilling, but also for her off-the-field leadership.
A teammate's brother remarked that he'd never seen a player, boy or girl, "who was able to do so much for a team," according to Taylorsville coach Rich Kaelin.
"She was a very, very good leader this year," Kaelin said.
Allen is known for her fun-loving attitude, which kept her young teammates loose and close-knit. But she also knew when to buckle down and go to work, Kaelin said.
She also racked up some eye-popping stats. She finished the year with 12 home runs and a .532 batting average. She also played a key role in the Warriors' volleyball success, while representing her peers as a student body officer.
Anyone who has ever watched Brittany Parker play softball knows she's one of the most talented players in the state. But what her teammates and coaches know from years of watching her work on their behalf is how much she'll do to succeed.
"Her strength is that she's such a competitor," said Murray head coach Lisa Parker, who also happens to be Brittany's mom. "Especially in this year's state tournament, she showed that.
She was focused and she knew exactly what she had to do and what she wanted."
And then she went out and threw heat and smashed home runs to get it.
The senior, who will play for the University of Utah next season, set a new state home run record with 14 long balls. She had an eye-popping 60 RBIs, while pitching nearly every inning of every game.
Comments
- Aggies beat Spartans in snowy Logan 4:31 a.m.
- TCU 55, Utah 28 4:24 a.m.
- BYU 24, New Mexico 19 4:21 a.m.
- Jazz game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- Real Salt Lake: Game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- Stanford ends Y's soccer season 2:20 a.m.
- Jazz hope D-Will returns soon 2:19 a.m.
- Snow, SUU lose 2:18 a.m.
- Toone saves day for Wildcats 2:15 a.m.
- Win in New Mexico good for Y? 2:15 a.m.
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
- BYU happy to escape with victory
- Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers
- Crash on snowy road kills woman
- D-Will home for daughter
- Utes excited for 'dream' game
- GameDay in Fort Worth
- Bench proves fruitful for Y.
- Born of water and the spirit
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
358 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
200 - BYU happy to escape with victory
194 - Will state consider gay rights law?
148 - TCU creams U.
134 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
130 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
106 - Celtics crush Jazz
104
So Great!!! So Proud - Love RSL - Bring Home The CUP!!!!!
mr cannon's bold assertation that the purpose of the first ammendemnt as...
Great great great game!!!! Nicky Rimando is a god! We're the most complete...
I had the game on DVR and just watched it. That was the most exciting game...
financially cannot this year, but I will watch loyally, how great to hear...
This is hardly surprising. Bennett has a remarkable arrogance which is also...
I guess that is why "they play the game" as Herman Edwards would say.. ...
What was the score of the LSU vs LA tech game? Alot closer than you'd like to...
Has Fedor not said that THIS IS OUR YEAR all year long? Go back and...
This is just a small glimpse of the future with Obamacare: corruption, waste...


You can be the first to comment on this story.