Girls got game — American Fork's Holmstead headlines All-Utah Valley high school basketball honorees

Every year it's the same story. So many girls with so much talent grace the high school basketball courts in Utah Valley that highlighting one as a "most valuable player" can be a tough challenge.

But few of the local girls hoops followers should be surprised by the selectin of American Fork junior Haley Holmstead, who led her team with almost unstoppable energy and ability to a 21-3 record and an amazing, exciting and fun run to the state 5A title game.

After examining every player's importance to her team, consistency, shooting, rebounding, defense and games lost to injury, this is the 2007-08 Deseret Morning News All-Utah Valley girls basketball team.

MVP

HALEY HOLMSTEAD — 5-foot-8, junior, guard/forward, American Fork: This girl has appeared almost unstoppable offensively as she led her Cavemen to a 21-3 record overall and second place in the state tournament, averaging 17 points a game in the playoffs. She also helped American Fork go 8-2 in tough Region 4, good for first place. She paced her team with 16.7 points per game, boasting an uncanny ability to drive and score from either side and a wide array of shots. Holmstead is also a team leader, a solid defender and a tough-as-nails competitor.

First team

ASHLEY KRONEBERGER — 5-foot-11, junior, guard, Springville: She can do a whole lot of everything, including leading her team to the state tourney semifinals. With her athleticism and pure basketball skills, she can fill up a stat sheet, averaging 17.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists this season. In the playoffs, she added averages of two blocks and three steals a game. Like Holmstead, she'll be back.

AMANDA FARISH — 6-foot-1, senior, forward, Lone Peak: Known for her supreme versatility, she has signed to play for Southern Utah University next season. She led her team to an undefeated preseason against instate competition before the Knights fell on hard times. Farish averaged 16.7 points per game.

ALEXIS KAUFUSI — 6-foot-1, senior, forward/center, Timpview: After rediscovering her game this year, Kaufusi became almost unstoppable inside with superior rebounding skills in addition to finding her way to the hoop and the line. She also knows how to block a shot. Kaufusi averaged 15.3 points per game this season and 15 during the playoffs. She also brought down more than 11 rebounds per game in the state tourney, along with 15 points and three blocks.