High school girls basketball: Titles up for grabs

SPRINGVILLE — The pressure of coaching a team that returns two Division I players and hopes to improve on its second-place finish would be a tall order for any coach.

But add having a baby to lofty expectations and, well, let's just say Springville head coach Nancy Warner is learning to multi-task under fire.

"Yeah, perfect time," she joked about the timing of her daughter's birth last Thursday. "Right before the American Fork game."

The Warners welcomed their baby girl the day before the Red Devils mounted a thrilling come-back against last year's 5A state champions to prove they aren't just the team to beat in 4A, they're one of the best in any classification.

"It's tough to handle it," she said. "But we're making it work. Luckily my husband has been helping me out all along and he knows what we do. He knows the drills. He knows the girls. The girls have been good. We're just going to make it work."

Luckily for Warner, she's not only put herself in the hands of her husband, Chris, but she gets to rely on BYU-bound Lexi Eaton, a junior who is averaging almost a double-double, and senior guard Sadie Clements, who averaged nine points and three steals last year. She has committed to play at Sacramento State next season.

Add a supporting cast that includes hard-working Jess Jensen and Aubrey Smith, as well as quick Mackenzie Nielson and Nicole Ramon and the Red Devils are looking like the team to beat.

"We have a good amount of experience with the group of girls returning this year," said Warner. "We have great leaders and examples on our team. Everyone works very hard, gets along very well with each other and looks forward to a fun year of basketball."

And despite losing last year's 4A title game to Mountain View, Warner said the team is really just trying to play its best each game.

"Obviously it is not something in our minds right now," she said. "It's a goal. We're looking to get back there, but we're really working on getting better right now."

They have a huge pre-season test against last year's favorite and this year's pre-season No. 1 pick, Sky View.

The Bobcats return 2008 4A MVP in Amy Andrus, who is averaging almost a double-double. Nicole Hansen, the 2008 4A defensive player of the year, as well as center Aubry Boehme. Taylor Rock, one of the team's most reliable outside shooters, is out for the season with an ACL tear, which is a huge blow to the team's offense.