High school girls basketball: American Fork wins battle of ranked opponents

AMERICAN FORK — Both head coaches had this date circled on their calendars long ago. Other coaches in the valley either wished they could play hooky from their own games to watch this one or left this date blank and came out to see their toughest competition. Some even brought their teams along with them.

The American Fork versus Springville matchup had a lot to live up to with all the hype surrounding it, and the quality of basketball certainly lived up to the billing. Though American Fork broke things open in the third quarter and finished off with a 66-56 final score over the Red Devils, the players in this game showed very clearly on both sides why they're thought of so highly by everyone else in the state.

American Fork sits at No. 1 in 5A, and the Red Devils are ranked No. 2 in 4A, and this game proved each team deserves the accolades.

"Both of these teams are great defensive teams, but both teams were still out there lighting it up," said American Fork coach Corey Clayton, noting just how much that said about the quality of playerson the court.

"Springville is fundamentally sound, and they hit their shots when you leave them open," said Clayton about his rivals, noting also that he shortened his lineup from its usual 10 players deep to only eight because the competition was so tough.

And though his team played well in the first half and sunk 35 points in those 16 minutes, the Red Devils were almost able to match the high offensive output with 31 of their own, and it wasn't for lack of defense. But defense is just what put American Fork over the edge in the third quarter when it finally ran out to a 15-point lead that gave it a little cushion through the end of the contest.

A surge of energy and intensity on the defensive end in the third quarter by American Fork left Springville a little stunned as the Cavemen went on a 13-0 run during a stretch when they really picked up the pressure in their half-court press.

"We haven't had a great third quarter all year. It was nice to see this team go out there and do that. I think it was our intensity in the third quarter when we really got after it; that third quarter was really the difference," said Clayton.

Haley Holmstead led the way for the Cavemen with 20 points, including a pair of treys, which she has added to her arsenal this year. Clayton is happy with the new skill, noting that now when teams leave her open on the outside to guard against the dribble, she can now take them apart with the long bomb.

Amy Krommenhoek added 14 points for the Cavemen along with five steals in a great defensive stand.