4A girls basketball quarterfinals: New mom leads Skyline to comeback victory over Maple Mountain

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TAYLORSVILLE — This time last year Ta'a Tuinei thought her high school basketball career was over.

Turns out, it may have gotten more difficult, more complicated, but also a lot more rewarding.

In February of 2011, the senior told her coaches that she was pregnant. She transferred to the Young Parent Program to attend school, but thanks to the support of her teammates, coaches, teachers and family, she very quickly realized she didn't have to give up the sport she loved.

And on Wednesday afternoon the mother of four-month-old Tereinga led fourth-ranked Skyline to a 43-33 quarterfinal win over Maple Mountain at Salt Lake Community Center.

"At the time I felt like I had to give up," said Tuinei, who scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the win that gives the Eagles a berth into Friday's semifinal against Timpanogos.

But in the months after that conversation, she began to see a way to work her way back onto the basketball court. She said the support of her mother, coaches and teammates was key.

"They gave me extra workouts to help get me back in shape," said Tuinei. She gave birth to her little boy on Oct. 8 and basketball tryouts were on Nov. 7. She said the start of the season was rough for the team — and for her.

"After (having the baby), things got a lot harder," she said, rattling off the list of things she now juggles just to be able to play basketball. "Just trying to keep up was hard. It was just out of control."

But she managed to find a way, which is why Wednesday was so rewarding.

"I would say (to anyone struggling) that if you really love something, don't give up on it," she said. "Go after it."

In fact, the pregnancy that threatened her ability to play basketball and at times her ability to finish high school and make it to college, gave her the most precious gift.

"My son was my motivation to keep going," she said. "He is my everything, and I want him to know I didn't give up."

Which is exactly the message the Skyline Eagles needed at halftime on Wednesday. They trailed 25-18 and worse than that, they weren't playing well defensively or offensively.

Coach Deb Bennett said she went so far as to demonstrate the proper defensive stance for her players.