High school basketball: Top-ranked Springville rolls past Spanish Fork

SPRINGVILLE — It was just one more game against their region rivals, but the Springville Red Devils did something a little different en route to the latest victory in their 16-0 record. They had to have other people step up as star Lexi Eaton was being guarded so closely by Spanish Fork that she had one of her most sub par outings of the season, especially on the offensive end.

Eaton was scoreless in the first quarter, had only four points at the half, 10 at the end of three and 14 total points in the game. Yet, the team thrived and built its lead up to 28 twice before settling into a 73-53 victory.

"Two people were chasing her wherever she went. When that happens, someone else has to step up. We told them that if they were open they had to go to the basket, and they did," said Springville coach Nancy Warner, who was proud that her team proved they could still win with ease even without a stellar outing from their superstar.

The team proved what she's been saying all along, they are a true basketball team, and a team with the inside track on a state championship at that.

It was Sadie Clements that kept the Red Devils in the game in the first half. She drained two of her three treys in the first two periods and had 15 of her game-high 20 points in the first two periods.

"Sadie played smart basketball," said Warner as her team had an uncharacteristically close first half.

The Dons managed a one-point lead after one, and only found itself down 35-29 after two. Much of the reason the Dons couldn't pull off a slim lead at the half instead of the deficit was Clements' defense and fast break baskets. She caused multiple turnovers for the Dons. Also a few defensive breakdowns for Spanish Fork gave the Red Devils chances that they capitalized on.

But it was the third quarter that really saw the No. 1-ranked Red Devils shine. When they outscored the Dons 24-5 in the period they pretty much took away any thoughts Spanish Fork had of victory.

"We stopped settling for outside shots and started taking it to the basket. We made some key defensive stops that transitioned to lay ups and inside shots," said Warner, who also had plenty to say about Jen Mason's breakout game.

Mason picked up eight points in the key third and 18 points overall in a stellar performance for the guard.

"She had her best game ever. She stepped up and played very well," said Warner.

But Clements, Mason and Eaton were not the only players that had excellent offensive outings. Nicole Ramon knocked in a couple of treys en route to her 10 point outing, giving the Red Devils four players in double figures. But it didn't end there as Jessica Jensen added nine points of her own in yet another strong hustling game for the forward.

Jen Huntsman came on strong for the Dons, scoring 17 points in the effort. She was closely followed by Erin Redd, who picked up 15 points and Haileigh Emerine, who had eight.

The Dons are now solidly in second place in Region 8 with a 5-2 record and both teams have solid locks on positions in the postseason.

e-mail: jolsen@desnews.com