The American Fork Cavemen girls basketball team won Tuesday’s away non-conference game against Timpview by a score of 60-31. 

“Give it a shot. Pick your poison. Which of American Fork’s scoring threats are you going to try to stop?” asked the Salt Lake Tribune a day later in an article titled “Cavemen feature deep, talented roster.”

Another youthful American Fork girls basketball team has finally grown up, and the Cavemen are hoping to make all that experience count this season with a squad led by a pair of college-bound stars: senior 5-foot-9 guard Cassidy Fraughton, who has signed with Dixie State College, and Utah Valley University signee Ashley Baugh, a senior 6-0 guard.

“Ashley is a unique athlete because of her length and athleticism,” said coach Corey Clayton. “She makes a difference that might not show up in stats, such as she gets defensive rebounds she shouldn’t get.

“She’s worked hard to improve her offensive game, and she’ll be a hard cover for anybody,” the coach added.

As for Fraughton, Clayton said the biggest difference with her this season is her leadership. “This is her fourth year in the program,” the coach explained. “She’s a guard who can get to the basket and she can really shoot it. She knows how to win and she’s teaching the young kids how, which is a huge contribution.”

Clayton said he’s also expecting a big year from senior 5-11 forward Amy Bergeson. “Inside she’s really strong, and she’s good from the high post too,” he explained. “She can also get to the rim with her back to the basket.”

Senior 5-7 guard Megan Eliason is a great ball handler and outside shooter. The coach said she’s also his best on-ball defender.

Clayton thinks a player who will surprise a lot of people is senior 5-9 guard Bryanna Adams. “She has worked as hard as anybody we’ve ever had in the offseason,” he said. “She’s going to earn a scholarship somewhere.”

Others expected to be varsity contributors include senior 5-6 guard Jaylee Shepherd, senior 5-8 guard Erin Bergeson and junior 5-10 forward Melissa Squire.

Clayton said his team is pretty deep. He has nine seniors, which is a first, and has five freshmen as he begins to rebuild the program for the future.

The coach thinks the 5A race is wide open this year. “There are five or six teams that could win it, and at least three of them are from our region,” he said, adding Bingham and Riverton to that list along with his own squad.

“We three return the most experience and talent, but you can never count out Lone Peak,” Clayton added. “They always find a way to win games.”

American Fork faces Springville Thursday at 7:00 p.m.