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American Fork's Tiger Cuff takes a jump shot during a Region 3 boys basketball game against Skyridge on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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American Fork's Diego Mulford, right, focuses on defending Skyridge guard Tate Larson during a Region 3 boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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The American Fork student section reacts to a play during a Region 3 boys basketball game against Skyridge on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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American Fork's Jared Shepherd (22) takes a 3-pointer during a Region 3 boys basketball game against Skyridge on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Skyridge guard Dane Housley dribbles against American Fork during a Region 3 boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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American Fork's Xander Hale (25) tries to block a shot by Jackson Mosteller of Skyridge during a Region 3 boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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American Fork's Reece Dent goes up for a shot during a Region 3 boys basketball game against Skyridge on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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American Fork's Tiger Cuff attempts a dunk during a Region 3 boys basketball game against Skyridge on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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American Fork's Reece Dent, left, tries to track down the ball during a Region 3 boys basketball game against Skyridge on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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American Fork's Jax Clark, left, tries to block a shot by Dane Housley of Skyridge during a Region 3 boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

❮ ❯

Fighting through adversity is nothing new for the American Fork basketball program.

Playing without head coach Ryan Cuff, who is in the middle of serving a three-game suspension for using an ineligible player, the Cavemen had to fight off a comeback effort on Friday by Skyridge to secure a 57-44 Region 3 victory.

“It was really hard because we all found out over the weekend,” AF assistant coach Lynn Anderson said. “You’re dealing with 15, 16, 17 year-old young men. They just got through the adversity and dialed in on defense. Our defense needs to get better and I thought it was better tonight. They’re coming together. They’re believing and trusting in each other and that’s what it’s all about. We’re stronger together.”

Two years ago, a talented Caveman team lost 12 games but made a run in the state tournament and won the 6A title. Last season, American Fork had more than their fair share of internal struggles but managed to return to the 6A championship game before losing to Corner Canyon.

This year, the Cavemen have played a brutal preseason schedule with plenty of talented out-of-state opponents. There were injuries to key players and then the recent coaching suspension.

“AF is not unfamiliar with adversity,” senior guard Jared Shepherd said. “It seems like every year, there’s something. Even if we lose, we’re always building and we’re always moving. Coach Cuff always talks about upward spiral. So we’re always moving up, always moving forward. We just kind of embrace adversity and embrace the hard times because, honestly, we love it. We’ve got the end goal in mind and that’s a state championship.”

On Friday, senior guard Tiger Cuff converted on a spin move to give American Fork a slim 14-12 lead after one quarter. The Cavemen erupted on an 11-0 run with key scores from Xander Hale, Diego Mulford and Shepherd to open the second period and took a 25-12 advantage with 3:58 to play.

American Fork grabbed a 29-19 lead at halftime and got out quickly in the third period. Reece Dent had back-to-back dunks on sweet assists from Blake Rawson and Tiger Cuff. Dent scored nine straight points, including a 3-pointer, to push the AF advantage to 38-23 with 3:54 to go.

Jordan Kohler got untracked and scored 11 points in the third for Skyridge, including a 3-point play that was part of a 9-0 to close the quarter. Tate Larson had a four-point play, making a triple while being fouled, and the visitors pulled to within five, 42-37, entering the final frame.

American Fork got back control with another surge keyed by Tiger Cuff with under three minutes left. The senior hit a 3-pointer and a turnaround jumper, then fed Rawson for a basket and a 51-39 lead that would hold up to the end.

Tiger Cuff led American Fork (11-7 overall, 4-1 Region 3) with 16 points and Dent added 11.

“Coach Cuff hasn’t really left because his presence is still here and so is all the stuff he teaches,” Shepherd said. “The other coaches are all on board. We went on a team trip to watch the movie ‘The Boys on the Boat.’ Our motto is ‘stay in the boat, be in the boat.’ That’s what these coaches are doing. They are all in the boat and keeping us in the boat. They’re keeping us in focus and we’re all on the same page.

“The most important thing we’ve learned is that defense is really what matters. When we get dialed in on defense, we know we’re talented and then our offense just flows. Last game, we had zero kills (three consecutive defensive stops). We really focused on that in practice and today we had six kills.”

Tate Larson had five 3-pointers and led Skyridge (8-10, 3-2) with 16 and Kohler finished with 15.

American Fork, which has won four games in a row and is No. 7 in the 6A RPI, gets a rematch with No. 2 Lehi next Friday and Skyridge will host Westlake.

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