Cavemen will push the tempo in Region 4 race

AMERICAN FORK — Basketball fans who watch the teams from American Fork High play this season are going to wonder what's in the school's drinking water.

There's probably no girls teams or boys teams in Utah County that will play with more energy. Both Cavemen squads will use a hustling scrambling defense and hustling fast-paced offense to take advantage of their athleticism.

The Cavemen are hoping that they'll be more than just entertaining to watch. The fast-paced style should give opponents plenty of trouble and should have the two American Fork teams still bouncing when the postseason arrives.

Girls: From the beginning of last season until they lost to the Davis Darts in the second-round of the state playoffs, the Cavemen had tongues wagging. People couldn't believe how well this team of young kids was playing.

Well, all of those kids are back now and a little more grown up and looking even better with a dose of experience.

American Fork has enough talent and athleticism to rocket through all competition as long as the players are on their games. And with more experience, the nerves shouldn't affect them quite so much. This team should not only fight with Lone Peak for the Region 4 title, but it'll make some noise in the state tournament as well, possibly big noise.

The Cavemen like to run. They have the depth and quickness at all positions to keep up the fast pace and pressure defense.

"When we have the athletes we have, it's crazy to play any other way," said coach Corey Clayton.

This team not only beefed up its schedule this year, but also beefed up its inside presence — especially on the offensive end. Now, not only will Kaycee Mansfield and Haley Holmstead be deadly from most anywhere on the court and Amy Krommenhoek a lethal weapon from the three, but Makenzie Moea'i is coming on strong with a huge inside presence.

"It was her coming-out party this summer. We won a tournament in San Diego in July, and she was the MVP of that tourney. She's the force inside that we haven't had," said Clayton.

Mansfield and Holmstead have improved their outside shot, and their inside games could be even more dangerous because of it. Krommenhoek has worked on her off-the-dribble game and is a much more well-rounded player. Nikki Ybarra has added a huge offensive threat to her defensive game, and Cydne Mason has also made big improvements.