Springville girls hoops knocks off American Fork
When Utah Valley’s No. 1 and No. 2 girls basketball teams square off, it’s going to be high-caliber basketball. While both teams played well in just such a matchup Thursday night in American Fork, it was No. 2-ranked Springville that had the better performance.
The Red Devils used an early 13-0 run to take control of the game, then held off a furious late rally by the top-ranked Caveman to earn the 63-56 victory in non-region action. Springville head coach Nancy Warner pointed to the way her team kept the potent American Fork offense at bay as the key to coming out on top.
“We take pride in our defense,” she said. “We talk about always remembering that it starts there. We consider ourselves fortunate because they are a great team.”
Both teams started out well but things unraveled for the Cavemen after they had taken a 12-10 lead late in the first quarter. Springville tied things up with a layup by junior guard Savannah Park, then pulled in front on six straight points by junior center Brooke Wheeler to end the period.
Things continued to go the Red Devils’ way to start the second quarter as senior guard Malia Nawahine put in a jump shot and a 3-pointer to push the Springville lead to 23-12.
“I knew we could do that because I have confidence in my team,” Warner said. “We were able to create those things with defense and then executed our offense to score. It was a good team effort.”
On the other bench, American Fork head coach Corey Clayton watched his team struggle to overcome some early miscues. “We didn’t hit our shots early and that affected us,” he said. “Give Springville credit. They play good defense and they hit shots when they had the opportunity.”
Led by five points senior guard Bryanna Adams, the Cavemen made a push before the end of the half to get within striking distance. American Fork was down 30-23 at the break, but the Red Devils weren’t content to sit on the lead.
Instead, Springville dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Cavemen 20-7 to go in front 50-30. At that point, American Fork appeared to find another gear as they tried desperately to get back into the game.
The Cavemen scored nine of the first 12 points in the final frame and kept creeping closer, but the Red Devil advantage was just too much. “We were a little tentative until that fourth quarter,” Clayton said. “It wasn’t until the last five minutes that we really started playing well.”
Warner said she would’ve liked to see her team close out the game more efficiently instead of allowing American Fork to rally. “The fourth quarter was sloppy for us,” she said. “We’re going to enjoy the win, but I’m disappointed on how we reacted at the end. It’s still the preseason, so we’ll get better.”
The Red Devils were led by 19 points from Nawahine, while Park added 17 including a pair of treys and Wheeler finished with 13.
American Fork got 15 points and 10 rebounds from senior forward Cassidy Fraughton, while senior Ashley Baugh added 11 points and Adams and senior Amy Bergeson had 10 points apiece.
With the win, Springville remains perfect on the season (4-0) but Warner said she’d like to see her team get better at the foul line. The Red Devils were only 11-of-21 shooting free throws for the game. “We need to knock those down,” she said. “We’ve practiced too much to be missing those. We might need to change the mindset, to be more positive.”
Clayton said he knows his Caveman team has plenty to work on after its first loss (4-1), but he was pleased with the way his girls fought to the end.
Springville next plays at Mountain Crest on Dec. 11, while American Fork next plays at Snow Canyon on Dec. 8. Both games are scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
Springville (63)
Nawahine 19, S. Park 17, Wheeler 13, Averett 7, Packard 3, B. Park 2. Totals 23 11-21 63.
American Fork (56)
Fraughton 15, Baugh 11, Adams 10, Bergeson 10, Richardson 8, Shepherd 2. Totals 21 12-20 56.
Springville 18 12 20 13 — 63
American Fork 12 11 8 25 — 56
3-point goals: Springville 4 (S. Park 2, Averett, Mawahine); American Fork 2 (Adams, Baugh).
Springville girls hoops knocks off American Fork
When Utah Valley’s No. 1 and No. 2 girls basketball teams square off, it’s going to be high-caliber basketball.
While both teams played well in just such a matchup Thursday night in American Fork, it was No. 2-ranked Springville that had the better performance.
The Red Devils used an early 13-0 run to take control of the game, then held off a furious late rally by the top-ranked Caveman to earn the 63-56 victory in non-region action.
Springville head coach Nancy Warner pointed to the way her team kept the potent American Fork offense at bay as the key to coming out on top.
“We take pride in our defense,” she said. “We talk about always remembering that it starts there. We consider ourselves fortunate because they are a great team.”
Both teams started out well but things unraveled for the Cavemen after they had taken a 12-10 lead late in the first quarter.
Springville tied things up with a layup by junior guard Savannah Park, then pulled in front on six straight points by junior center Brooke Wheeler to end the period.
Things continued to go the Red Devils’ way to start the second quarter as senior guard Malia Nawahine put in a jump shot and a 3-pointer to push the Springville lead to 23-12.
“I knew we could do that because I have confidence in my team,” Warner said. “We were able to create those things with defense and then executed our offense to score. It was a good team effort.”
On the other bench, American Fork head coach Corey Clayton watched his team struggle to overcome some early miscues.
“We didn’t hit our shots early and that affected us,” he said. “Give Springville credit. They play good defense and they hit shots when they had the opportunity.”
Led by five points senior guard Bryanna Adams, the Cavemen made a push before the end of the half to get within striking distance. American Fork was down 30-23 at the break, but the Red Devils weren’t content to sit on the lead.
Instead, Springville dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Cavemen 20-7 to go in front 50-30.
At that point, American Fork appeared to find another gear as they tried desperately to get back into the game.
The Cavemen scored nine of the first 12 points in the final frame and kept creeping closer, but the Red Devil advantage was just too much.
“We were a little tentative until that fourth quarter,” Clayton said. “It wasn’t until the last five minutes that we really started playing well.”
Warner said she would’ve liked to see her team close out the game more efficiently instead of allowing American Fork to rally.
“The fourth quarter was sloppy for us,” she said. “We’re going to enjoy the win, but I’m disappointed on how we reacted at the end. It’s still the preseason, so we’ll get better.”
The Red Devils were led by 19 points from Nawahine, while Park added 17 including a pair of treys and Wheeler finished with 13.
American Fork got 15 points and 10 rebounds from senior forward Cassidy Fraughton, while senior Ashley Baugh added 11 points and Adams and senior Amy Bergeson had 10 points apiece.
With the win, Springville remains perfect on the season (4-0) but Warner said she’d like to see her team get better at the foul line. The Red Devils were only 11-of-21 shooting free throws for the game.
“We need to knock those down,” she said. “We’ve practiced too much to be missing those. We might need to change the mindset, to be more positive.”
Clayton said he knows his Caveman team has plenty to work on after its first loss (4-1), but he was pleased with the way his girls fought to the end.
Springville next plays at Mountain Crest on Dec. 11, while American Fork next plays at Snow Canyon on Dec. 8. Both games are scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
Daily Herald sports editor Jared Lloyd can be reached at 801-344-2555 or jlloyd@heraldextra.com. He can also be followed on Twitter at @JaredrLloyd.
Springville (63)
Nawahine 19, S. Park 17, Wheeler 13, Averett 7, Packard 3, B. Park 2. Totals 23 11-21 63.
American Fork (56)
Fraughton 15, Baugh 11, Adams 10, Bergeson 10, Richardson 8, Shepherd 2. Totals 21 12-20 56.
Springville 18 12 20 13 — 63
American Fork 12 11 8 25 — 56
3-point goals: Springville 4 (S. Park 2, Averett, Mawahine); American Fork 2 (Adams, Baugh).