High school girls basketball: American Fork expected to take 5A title

For the first time since their move to 5A, the teams from Region 4 have the inside track on a state championship.

The American Fork Cavemen are the title favorites this season behind the prowess of four seniors and a pair of juniors, who have been working and playing together far longer than just their high school years. They came oh-so-close last season to bringing home a title with a loss to Skyline in the state championship game, and because of that they know what it takes to win it all.

And not only does this team have experience working together at the highest levels, but they also have talent, and plenty of it.

Premier phenoms Haley Holmstead and Kaycee Mansfield lead the team offensively and with intensity and athleticism. But though players Cydne Mason and Nikki Ybarra also have offensive skills for the Cavemen, both of those girls have happily given themselves over to their roles on the team, getting the team into its offense and playing stifling defense, doing anything that needs to be done. Those four seniors will be joined yet again this season by a pair of junior powers, Makenzie Moea'i as the main presence in the middle, and Amy Krommenhoek, a huge outside threat. Those six players were the main cogs in last year's second place squad at state, and they all return for a run at a title this season.

And running this team does. Scrappy and solid full-court defenses and a tough half-court 'D' lead this team to plenty of fast breaks, making them fun to watch and not so much fun to play against most of the time.

Holmstead did have her knee scoped several weeks ago, but coach Corey Clayton says she's 100 percent and under no restrictions in practice. She's scored over 1,000 points in her career, and Mansfield isn't far behind.

A pair of juniors and a pair of sophomores will round out the players that will see most of the varsity minutes as Clayton expands his rotation this season to give more players experience that might become necessary in the state tournament.

"Last year my rotation was too short. This year I'm going to go to a much deeper bench," said Clayton, giving credence to the problems his team ran into with foul trouble last year at the tournament.

Kylie Allen, Laini Kalumbi, Shelby Carson and Hayley Su'a-Filo will all see a little time during the season as will freshman Grace Farnsworth, whom Clayton claims is probably the most athletic player on his roster.

"She's gonna be a superstar," said Clayton, which makes his team future look bright as well.