And the winner is ... It's Oscar time for Utah Valley's girls prep basketball

With the basketball season quickly drawing to a close, I'd like to give out a few awards to this year's teams and players. The hardwood has seen its share of memorable moments, monumental performances, huge wins, hard losses and career builders.

Here are a few of the more noticeable achievements the 2007-08 hardcourt season has brought: My girls basketball Oscars.

SHE'S BACK: Timpview's Alexis Kaufusi made her big comeback after losing large parts of two seasons with major injuries, and she's averaging 15.6 points per game, third best in 4A.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR: The American Fork Cavemen and their frenetic pace and fabulous play landed them in a truly coveted spot: First place in 5A and a 17-1 record, looking for a state trophy.

COMEBACK KIDS: After a 2-9 preseason the Spanish Fork girls resurgence and a run at the playoffs has been one of the feel-good stories of the year.

TEAMS OF THE FUTURE: Wait, these teams are winning now and doing it convincingly. Though most of their players are underclassmen, American Fork and Springville don't seem to be noticing the youths.

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A LEADING ROLE: Springville's Ashley Kroneberger outscored all the 4A competition through most of the season by leading the Red Devils with her 16.9 points per game average.

DISAPPEARING ACT: After starting the season as a Region 7 favorite, the Payson Lions dropped like a rock and completely out of the playoff picture.

WINNING WITHOUT STAR POWER: The Mountain View Bruins are playing themselves right into the playoffs, and they're doing it without a single player averaging even eight points per game.

TWIN TOWER TANDEM: Six-foot-6 Jennifer Hamson and 6-foot-3 Sarah Clement put up a brick wall, a swat force and a board corps all in one for the Pleasant Grove Vikings.

GIANT UPSET: The American Fork Cavemen proved they really are the Patriots of Utah girls basketball when the Lone Peak Knights, who had lost six of their previous eight, visited their rivals from the south and came away with the surprising upset, knocking off the previously unbeaten Cavemen 41-38.