Beky Beaton / America Fork Citizen

The 6A No. 3 American Fork High School boys basketball team went 3-1 in the first round of Region 3 play and is tied for first place with No. 2 Corner Canyon. The team has a 12-7 record overall.

Jan. 13: American Fork 77, Lone Peak 63

The Cavemen started hot against the Knights at home and raced out to a 19-11 advantage after the first quarter, expanding it to 39-18 at the half. Lone Peak reduced the deficit after the break, but they weren’t able to climb out of the hole.
Senior guard Bryce Mella led the effort with a perfect shooting night from short distance and at the stripe, finishing with 21 points and six rebounds. Senior forward Jax Clark had a monster outing as well with a double-double of 17 points and 12 boards plus nine assists and a block.

Sophomore wing Dieter Tuitavuki also netted 17 points along with four rebounds and three assists. Senior guard Ashton Hucks added 12 points, four boards and three gives while senior guard Bridger Burnside captured three rebounds.

American Fork’s players combined to win the battle of the boards 36-20 and made 20 assists in the contest. They converted 74 percent of their shots inside the paint and were 40 percent from distance.

“I’m so proud of our boys,” said Coach Ryan Cuff. “They played an exceptionally talented and athletic Lone Peak team. We continue to live in a defensive mindset of mental toughness and a desire to be the first to collect rebounds and 50/50 balls.

“We executed our offense with precision, and the ball movement was key,” the coach added.

Jan. 16: Corner Canyon 65, American Fork 49

Cold shooting in the second quarter and all night from beyond the arc set up a difficult task for the Cavemen on the road. After edging their hosts 14-13 in the initial period, American Fork managed to board just two points in the second quarter to 17 by the Chargers and never recovered.

However, Clark got about whatever he wanted, shooting 80 percent in the paint and 100 percent at the line for 19 points plus 10 rebounds for another double-double. Mella added 10 points, six boards plus four assists in the effort.

“We lost to a really solid Corner Canyon team,” Cuff said. “They’re big, strong and physical, which is a great matchup for us. We got off to a great start in the first quarter with our fast break and inside game.

“We just didn’t execute as well as we normally do in the second quarter, and that proved to be where the game was lost,” the coach added. “We will be going to work to improve but I’m still very excited about our team and our projection.”

Jan. 23: American Fork 57, Skyridge 49

Back at home, the Cavemen flipped the script against the Falcons, doubling them up 16-8 in the first quarter and taking a comfortable 29-15 advantage to the locker room. Skyridge won the second half, but they were too far behind at the break to cover the spread.

American Fork outrebounded the visitors 33-17 and also had twice as many assists with a margin of 15-7. The Cavemen made five steals and seven deflections in the contest.

Clark led the scoring with 19 points plus six rebounds and four assists, while Mella chipped in for 14 points along with four boards and three assists.

Hucks had a productive night with eight points, six rebounds and four assists. Sophomore forward Lincoln Zimmerman scored six points while Tuitavuki collected six boards and Burnside got five.

“This was a tough game,” Cuff said. “We weathered a really good Skyridge team. They pushed the pace, but our defense did a great job of finding stops and getting rebounds.”

Jan. 27: American Fork 70, Layton 58

The Cavemen fell behind on the road against the Lancers and trailed 38-33 at the half, but they outscored their hosts 37-20 in the final two periods to win going away.

Clark went on a rampage, hitting 13-of-14 shots inside the arc and finishing with 28 points plus six rebounds, three assists and a block. Mella had an effective night too with 21 points, six boards and three gives.

Junior guard Jax Oyler contributed seven points, four rebounds and three assists. Hucks garnered eight rebounds with five points while Burnside scored six and Tuitavuki provided four boards and four assists. American Fork had a 26-16 edge in rebounds.

“We were down at the half but stuck with our defensive strategy and just focused on toughness and rebounds,” Cuff said. “We also had 20 assists, which tells a story of our culture and belief in each other.”

The Cavemen will begin the second round of Region 3 play on Friday (Jan. 30), when they will host Lehi with the girls varsity game set for 5:15 p.m. followed by the boys varsity contest at 7 p.m. They will head to Lone Peak on Tuesday (Feb. 3) for the same tipoff times.

Elizabeth Spencer | American Fork Citizen

 Members of the American Fork High School Football team and the AFHS marching band traveled to St. Louis, Missouri, for recognition on the national stage for good sportsmanship. The recognition wasn’t because of the football team’s performance on the field, but because of their conduct in the bleachers. Every fall, when AFHS hosts the Mount Timpanogos Marching Band Competition, the football team files into the stands to support fellow Cavemen as they march on the football field.

In 2024, a social media post about the event went viral, attracting national attention. That’s when the Musial Awards picked up the story. The awards are named after former St. Louis Cardinal and baseball hall of famer, Stan Musial, who exemplified good sportsmanship through class, character, kindness, selflessness, and perseverance.

 The Musial Awards are sponsored under the leadership of the St. Louis Sports Commission and the National Sportsmanship Foundation. CBS broadcasts the event nationwide annually. Instead of recognizing athletic abilities, the Musial Awards honor outstanding sportsmanship. The awards are given to those offering humble acts of kindness. The organization spotlights those acts as powerful examples for others to follow.

Tim Ryan, Director of Communications for the foundation, commented on how the Musial Awards came across the AFHS Football team’s story. “We are always looking for things that are a little unique or different than what you’re used to seeing when it comes to sportsmanship, and we thought that this one fit that bill perfectly.”

“If there’s a story, we’re all about it. We try to select managers, team managers, all sorts of different stories. It’s not an athletic achievement award; it purely focuses on spotlighting and rewarding great sportsmanship.” Recognition can come to anyone involved in sports, from little league or recreational sports to high school and collegiate levels, all the way up to the professional world.

Past recipients of the Musial Awards have included iconic athletes such as Wayne Gretzky, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Cal Ripken Jr., Hank Aaron, Arnold Palmer, Albert Pujols, and more.

Among the 2025 honorees was professional ice skater Kristi Yamaguchi, who received the Lifetime Achievement award for Sportsmanship, which is the pinnacle honor the organization bestows. After finishing her competitive ice-skating career, Yamaguchi has been a mentor for Asian American skaters and an ambassador for the ice-skating world. “She was every bit as genuine and classy and kind and generous with her time in person as she was said to be,” said Ryan of Yamaguchi.

The AFHS football team and marching band got to share the Stifel Theatre’s stage with the iconic ice skater. Madden Jensen, one of the captains on the football team, said, “It was a super great experience.” The team got the red-carpet treatment, with flights and hotels paid. The organization took the players on a tour of the Busch Baseball Stadium, home of Major League Baseball’s St. Louis Cardinals, and the team got to see the famous Gateway Arch.

AFHS Principal Peter Glahn shared, “One of my favorite things about American Fork is the camaraderie shared by our faculty and staff. It’s even better when students feel like they can cross invisible barriers and appreciate their peers when they excel in different spaces at the school. It was such an honor for this small thing to be recognized on a grand stage. We hope that this sense of community continues throughout our students’ lives wherever they go.”

 As the football team was being honored, the AFHS band played a jazz arrangement of the Caveman fight song, arranged by the band’s bassist, as well as the theme from the movie “Rocky.” Senior Band Member Calan Spens shared, “It was overall just a fun experience. It was really cool to see a bunch of people enjoy the performance we did up on stage.”

 AFHS Football Coach Aaron Behm has had players attend the marching band’s competition for years. But up until last year’s social media post went viral, there wasn’t much recognition for the kind act.

 “What I find most fulfilling about the experience is that Aaron (Coach Behm) was taken aback by receiving the award. I remember him saying something like, “We’ve been doing this for nine years. I don’t understand why it’s such a big deal now?” And that’s why he received the award and what the award represents. Aaron had his team come because he knew it would create a better community and culture here at the school,” shared AFHS Band Director, Orien Landis.

 “He never expected or wanted recognition for it. He just did it because he wanted to be a builder and molder of men. It was awesome to see him get that recognition because there are thousands of football teams across the country, and none have done what the Cavemen have. It was a role reversal one that has made the team and the band better,” added Landis.

 One inspiring moment highlighted during the Musial Awards included Behm teaching his players a philosophy he learned as a young athlete. Behm encourages athletes to adopt an outward-looking mindset, using the mirror room and the window room. The philosophy teaches young men that they can choose to focus on themselves or others.

 “I was fortunate to play small college football at Trinity International University, under Head Coach Andy Lambert. Coach Lambert truly used football as a vehicle to build up young men and gave me a vision for what I wanted to do with my life.  He used the analogy of the mirror room and the window room often,” wrote Behm.

 “I wish we had more time and could support more of what goes on at the school, but we cross paths with the band often during the Fall. Sharing the field, coming and going at practices, and they have had such a long history of being great, we felt like it would be a good opportunity to learn from them, support them, and do something that is entirely focused on other people and others’ success rather than our own,” added Behm.

 “It’s a real thrill,” said Ryan of working with those receiving the honor for good sportsmanship. “They are every bit the genuine, sincere, good-hearted person that they have appeared to be.” He said recipients of the award “couldn’t be more gracious.”

 Ryan said the celebrities are often blown away by the stories of the other recipients, like those of the AFHS Football team. “Through the power and reach of the Musial awards, it (good sportsmanship) can spread to the entire country and to sports celebrities on the highest levels that are also involved in this special event,” remarked Ryan.

Spens says of good sportsmanship, “It helps create a better sense of community within the school and allows one to meet more people.”

 “More fun that way,” Jensen said of showing good sportsmanship. He thinks you can connect with more people when you support others. He believes what goes around comes around, saying the band will be more willing to support the team since the team has supported the band.

 “Attending the awards show was a top-notch, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They do such a great job with the entire event; they truly go all out to celebrate the best sides of sports. The other stories that were celebrated at the Musials were amazing as well. What the city of St. Louis does with the Musial Awards is outstanding, and it was so fun to be a part of it,” shared Coach Behm.

 “The experience was amazing! The Musial Awards made it special not only for the football team but also for the band members. Everyone felt like an honored guest,” concluded Landis.

Regarding the Musial honorees, Ryan shared, “We have a deep belief that their stories are incredibly important to tell now more than ever.”

The AFHS Football team received a special, custom-made trophy shaped like the number 6, Musial’s baseball jersey number when he played for the Cardinals. A video of the AFHS Marching Band presenting the Musial Award to the football team is on YouTube.

Beky Beaton | American Fork Citizen

The Cavemen wrapped up the most prolific state title stretch in school history this past year, claiming six gold and three silver trophies to add to their already-bulging cases.

The first championship came early on in February, when the boys swim team earned the 6A crown by setting a classification record in the final event.

American Fork went on to capture five more gold trophies in a single week in May.

The boys tennis team beat the Region 3 champions they lost to during the regular season.

The boys track team won their first-ever title, and the girls team repeated as state champs.

The boys soccer team only managed third place in the region but went on to win a second-consecutive title.

And finally, the baseball team finished the season on a 15-game win streak to add the 12^th championship in the sport to the list.

Fast-forward to the fall and the Cavemen were at it again, no championships this time but three silver trophies for strong runner-up showings.

The girls tennis team outhit five-time state champion Skyridge to garner second place.

In cross country, where American Fork has long dominated, the boys were edged for the title by two points and the girls finished second to a repeat state champion.

For more on all of these outstanding accomplishments, visit https://afcitizen.com/category/sports/.

Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen

The American Fork High School girls basketball team earned four consecutive wins in the past two weeks including the Region 3 opener to improve their overall record to 10-3 and claim first place in the league.

Dec. 30: American Fork 64, Brighton 51

The Cavemen dominated the first and third quarters on the road, outpacing their hosts 38-22 in those two periods to secure a comfortable win.

Junior shooting guard Jalise Chatman sparked the effort with four triples and finished with 16 points. Senior power forward Brooke Grunander added 13 points, senior power forward Taylor Jensen scored 11 while senior wing Julia Fugal and junior point guard Morgan Felix provided nine points apiece.

“Brighton was a tough team and is coached really well,” said Coach Robert Harmon. “We had a hard time stopping their star player from attacking the rim, but the girls did a good job of playing unselfish ball and kept a balanced attack.

“Our players are really starting to understand the proper rotations and helping play team defense,” he continued. “Jalise had a really strong game for us and that gave our other girls some confidence to be more aggressive.”

Jan. 5: American Fork 67, Judge Memorial 41

After a close first period, the Cavemen clamped down defensively and continued steady offensive production to achieve a solid victory.

Four American Fork players posted double-figure scoring. Fugal netted 15 points, freshman small forward Maya Durrant added 12 points, Jensen got 11 points and Felix provided 10 points. Chatman boarded seven points and Grunander six.

“Judge is a really athletic team,” Harmon said. “When I first got this job, Judge was our very first game as a team during the summer at UVU and we got absolutely destroyed. So, this was a game the girls have been waiting for since summer to prove they aren’t the same team they were back then and they did that.

“We really struggled with their athleticism in the first half,” the coach said. “Then we settled down and started to just make the simple plays, and we were able to build and keep a lead throughout the game.”

Jan. 6: American Fork 52, Davis 42

The Cavemen and the Darts competed closely the entire evening, but a five-point scoring edge in the third quarter put American Fork in control and the team held on for the win. Fugal led the offense with 14 points followed by Felix with 13 and Chatman with 12.

“I don’t even know where to start talking about this one,” Harmon said. “I’m just so proud of these girls and the hard work they put in day after day. Davis is a Final 4-type of team. They play hard, they play fast and they play together.

“This was a game where it went back and forth the whole time,” he continued. “We got hit a couple of times and every time the girls responded.

“I’ve been preaching all year that if you just play with energy, effort and some confidence, good things are going to happen,” the coach said. “This game showed what they can accomplish when they just give all they have for 32 minutes.”

Jan. 9: American Fork 55, Lehi 51

The Cavemen and Pioneers battled back and forth all night and were tied for the final time at 50 points each with just 1:18 to play.

At that juncture, a Felix defensive board set up a Fugal triple to push American Fork back in front. Lehi added a free throw, and the spread was still two points with 13 seconds left. Chatman made a block to prevent a Pioneer score then iced the win with a pair of free throws.

Chatman scored nine of her 17 points in the fourth quarter to help lift her team to victory. Fugal added 15 points, Grunander contributed nine and Felix had eight points in the exciting contest.

“Oh my goodness, what a game,” Harmon said. “The beginning was a bit chaotic and it got us on our heels to start and we never really seemed to come out of it until the second half. Lehi is a very good and active team.

“We really struggled stopping their penetration and kicks and had to battle every possession just to stay in it, but these girls just keep finding ways to win,” the coach went on.

“When we needed it the most, players showed up. And we made free throws,” he said. “Free throws win games. We’ve stressed it all year, and each game keeps proving it. I’m so proud of the fight these girls show. They battle ‘til the last horn.”

The Cavemen will host Lone Peak on Tuesday (Jan. 13) as Region 3 play continues with the girls varsity playing at 6 p.m. followed by the boys at 7:30 p.m. They will visit Corner Canyon on Friday (Jan. 16) with the same start times.

Beky Beaton / America Fork Citizen

The American Fork High School boys basketball team earned two significant victories this week, moving their overall record to 9-6 and notching their first Region 3 win.

Jan. 6: American Fork 67, Davis 56

The 6A No. 2 Cavemen took on the No. 4 Darts at home in a final non-region tune-up prior to the start of league play and prevailed with persistent offensive production, ball security and solid defense.

After the visitors got a quick early lead, American Fork ended an up-tempo first quarter with an 18-14 advantage and expanded that to 33-24 at the break. Davis reduced the gap to six points by the end of the third period, but the Cavemen responded with a 15-10 final stanza to secure the victory.

Senior forward Jax Clark sparked the effort with a double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds while senior guard Bryce Mella posted a characteristic all-around effort with 19 points, six boards, five assists and a pair of steals.

Seven other players made more modest contributions but collectively helped produce the win. Senior guard Ashton Hucks added eight points, and American Fork got six points apiece from sophomore wing Dieter Tuitavuki and senior guard Bridger Burnside.

“We played a great game tonight,” said Coach Ryan Cuff. “The team showed amazing toughness against a disciplined and highly-talented Davis team. It was a playoff-type atmosphere and I’m especially proud of the tough defense we played.

“We were able to execute our offensive schemes well,” the coach continued. “We were tough on the boards and I was very impressed with our ability to take care of the ball. We had only seven turnovers, and that’s exactly the way you have to play against that kind of a team.”

Jan. 9: American Fork 68, Lehi 56

The Cavemen and Pioneers started off trading buckets in this crosstown rivalry contest and American Fork led just 10-9 halfway through the first quarter. However, they finished the period on a 10-2 run and stayed in control the rest of the way despite a late challenge by their hosts.

Lehi had no answer for Clark, who converted at a 77-percent efficiency rate for 21 points and also had eight rebounds and a block. Hucks played an active game and finished with 13 points, seven boards and three deflections.

Mella added 12 points with seven rebounds and four assists while Burnside scored 12 points with four assists. As a team, the Cavemen converted 13-of-15 (87%) charity shots.

“We played a really nice team game tonight,” Cuff said. “I loved the way we shared the ball. Our defensive efficiency was at a very high level. We weathered their comeback surge by sticking to the fundamentals that we believe in. I’m proud of our defense and the way we executed our offense.”

The Cavemen will continue Region 3 play on Tuesday (Jan. 13), when they will welcome Lone Peak with the girls varsity game set for 5:15 p.m. followed by the boys varsity contest at 7 p.m. They will head to Corner Canyon on Friday (Jan. 16) with the same tipoff times.

Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen

It’s about halfway through the swimming competition period, and the picture of which individuals and relay teams might qualify for state events and a chance at medals is coming into focus.

The Caveman boys team has multiple medal contenders and state meet qualifiers at this point, but it will likely take an extraordinary effort to earn a trophy this year with the high level of competition in Class 6A.

The girls team is very small and relatively inexperienced this season and there’s no guarantee right now that anyone from this group will advance to the state meet, though there’s still plenty of time to earn a spot.

Following are some of the American Fork boys to watch for as competition ramps up for the culminating meets of the year:

• Junior Sam Petersen is a medal favorite in the 200-yard freestyle and a contender in the 500-yard freestyle events. He has also posted state-qualifying times in the 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard freestyle though he may forego one or both of these events to swim in the relays instead.
• Junior Noah Christensen is a potential medalist in the 200-yard individual medley and has also earned a spot in the 100-yard breaststroke. He’s a probable relay-squad member.
• Junior Oakley James is a medal contender in the 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard backstroke and has earned a state-level mark in the 500-yard freestyle. He’s likely to compete in the relays as well.
• Senior Zack Stevens has a state-qualifying time in the 100-yard breaststroke and is a probable relay competitor.
• Sophomore Conner Fellingham is a likely state entrant in the 100-yard breaststroke plus one or more relay events.
• Junior Luke Nelson is still working on individual qualifying but is a possible relay-squad member anyway.

The Cavemen are in position to compete for medals in all three relay events.

Beky Beaton / America Fork Citizen

Competing in the Platinum Division, the top bracket out of nine offered at the event, the American Fork High School boys basketball team dropped three games but finished on a winning note at The Classic at Damien Tournament. The pre-region record now stands at 7-6 overall.

Dec. 26: St. John Bosco (Bellflower CA) 56, American Fork 39

The Cavemen started slow against the nationally-ranked Braves and fell behind 15-29 at the half. The deficit was just three at one point, but American Fork couldn’t hold on.

Senior guard Bryce Mella led the effort with 12 points including a couple of treys plus nine rebounds for a near double-double. Senior guard Ashton Hucks added nine points and three boards.

Senior guard Sam Rutter scored seven points while senior forward Jax Clark had five points plus four rebounds and junior guard Jax Oyler garnered three boards.

Dec. 27: Roosevelt (Eastvale CA) 65, American Fork 61

The Cavemen competed well against the talented Mustangs in a back-and-forth contest. American Fork led at the end of the initial quarter 16-13 and had some opportunities at the end but just weren’t able to capitalize.

Mella netted 20 points. Hucks sank four triples and scored 17 points while Clark added 10 points and Oyler had seven.

Dec. 29: La Mirada (CA) 62, American Fork 46

The game against the Matadores was a similar story. The Cavemen had the lead at one point and were close most of the game but let it slip away down the stretch.

Clark sparked the offense with 14 points and five rebounds while Hucks again dropped in four treys for 12 points to go with six boards. Mella added nine points and senior guard Bridger Burnside posted five rebounds and four assists.

Dec. 30: American Fork 60, Clovis North (Fresno CA) 55

The Cavemen trailed the Broncos 27-37 at the half but mounted a terrific comeback to win the game with a 33-18 run after the break. They also helped their cause by converting 14-of-15 (93%) free throws in the contest.

Clark collected a double-double of 19 points with 12 rebounds to go with three assists and a block. Mella added 21 points with seven boards, three assists and one block.

Oyler contributed six points with three assists and Hucks also scored six points. Sophomore guard Dieter Tuitavuki tallied five points with five rebounds. Burnside made five assists.

“Overall, I felt it was a good test of adversity and that the boys really learned a lot, got closer together, and showed what they could really do in that last half of the Clovis game,” said Coach Ryan Cuff.

“We played amazing competition throughout the week and despite the record, I’m encouraged about the start of region. Our goals are all still the same,” the coach concluded

The Cavemen next play on Tuesday (Jan. 6), when they will host Davis for a non-league tune-up. Region 3 competition begins on Friday (Jan. 9) at Lehi, with the girls varsity game set for 5:15 p.m. followed by the boys varsity contest at 7 p.m.

Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen

Heading into Saturday’s Pop-Tarts Bowl, the BYU football team was once again picked to lose to a lower-ranked opponent. And after the first half, it looked like the so-called “experts” might have gotten it right this time around.

Not.

Instead, for the sixth time in this epic 2025 season, the Cougars rallied from a deficit to snatch victory out of the jaws of defeat.

Most impressively on this occasion, BYU did it by shutting out an accomplished senior quarterback who led a prolific offensive unit into his final collegiate game for the entire second half.

On the other side of the ball, BYU entered the field as a gridiron version of a M.A.S.H. unit. First-team All-Big 12 performers LJ Martin and Jack Kelly were on the sideline. Freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier limped out with a wonky wheel made even worse during the initial drive of the game.

In the first half, the Cougars failed to score when they were within inches of the goal line and later mishandled a kick return that quickly led to points for the opponents. Early in the third quarter, they were picked in the end zone.

After that however, BYU turned the tide. The Cougars blocked a field goal plus forced and recovered a fumble. They scored 15 points in the fourth quarter, with Bachmeier making an uncredited run for a two-point conversion, no doubt grimacing all the way as he absorbed contact and kept going.

And then finally, as the Yellow Jackets put themselves in position to win the game with a touchdown when there were only seconds left, BYU’s Evan Johnson – who had just given up the big fourth-down play that helped set up the TD try – leapt in front of their receiver to make the interception and save the thrilling victory for his team.

Even a Hollywood scriptwriter couldn’t have come up with anything more dramatic.

The fact of the matter is, there’s a long list of reasons why the Cougars should have lost this game and only one reason why they didn’t – they just refused.

There are all kinds of lessons that can be drawn from this, for athletes and sports programs but also for individuals and groups in the wider world. These ideas aren’t new, but this contest and this BYU season provided yet more anecdotal evidence that they are still true. Here’s a sampling:

• No one ever won a game (title, debate, war etc.) on paper. It doesn’t matter what the rankings, “experts” or anyone else says. If you want to prevail, you can if you do the work required for success, whatever the endeavor.
• When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Bachmeier’s perseverance despite a painful, limiting injury and calls getting missed inspired his teammates and could teach something to the spoiled-brat pros who sit out for a hangnail or flop hoping to get a call they don’t deserve.
• Human beings push themselves the hardest when they are playing for something bigger than themselves. Military leaders understand that when the bullets are flying, the survival of a unit depends on each member caring about the person next to him or her in the foxhole, and soldiers are trained accordingly. So are Coach Sitake’s football players.

The Cougars had a fantastic season and won this game because each man on the team, regardless of prominence or position, took it upon himself to try to give his best whenever called upon for the sake of his teammates and their common goals.

Such efforts don’t always work out as hoped, but they sure make the chances of success a whole lot higher.

Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen

The American Fork High School girls basketball team went 2-1 in their most recent contests as the non-region season is winding down. The Cavemen are 6-3 overall.

Dec. 12: West 62, American Fork 42

The Cavemen struggled to find the hoop in the first half on the road against the Panthers, falling behind 12-38 by the break. They outscored their hosts 30-24 in the final two quarters, but the early deficit proved too big to overcome.

Junior shooting guard Jalise Chatman led the effort with a near double-double of 13 points and nine rebounds to go with two assists, two steals and a block.

Senior power forward Brooke Grunander netted 10 points with seven boards. Junior point guard Morgan Felix contributed six points with three steals while freshman small forward Maya Durrant also added six points.

Senior wing Julia Fugal had a nice overall floor game with five points, six rebounds, four steals and a block.

Dec. 16: American Fork 55, Provo 46

The Cavemen and the Bulldogs battled through a close first half, which ended with host American Fork ahead 30-26. In the pivotal third quarter, the Cavemen extended the margin by five points and then hung on through the final period to get the win.

Chatman sparked the offense with 27 points plus seven rebounds, while Fugal scored 14 points with eight boards and three assists.

Durrant added five points with nine rebounds and a block, while Grunander supplied five points and five boards. Felix had a busy floor game with four rebounds, six assists, three steals and three blocks.  

“I’m so proud of the girls for being able to bounce back and respond after a tough loss at West,” said Coach Robert Harmon. “I’m constantly throwing new things at these girls, and I’ve been so impressed with their willingness to learn and grow as players.

“To see them progress each game is exciting to watch,” the coach added. “We had some players make some big strides and collectively help us move in the right direction.”

Dec. 19: American Fork 62, Farmington 46

The Cavemen fell behind early to the visiting Phoenix, who worked to a 12-8 margin after the initial period. However, American Fork turned up the offensive efficiency after that, taking a narrow 28-25 lead into the break and withstanding a late surge by the visitors to earn the win.

“What a game,” Harmon said. “The girls played so hard. That felt like a state-tournament type of game. We started off slow and just couldn’t take care of the ball. Their pressure got to us early and we had a lot of turnovers, but we settled down and started to play ‘our’ game.

“Credit to the girls for sticking to it and fighting and believing together,” the coach continued. “There was a moment in the second half where Farmington got it back down to a four-point game and we could’ve crumbled. We could’ve hung our heads and said, ‘well we did good enough.’

“We talk a lot about the will to win and learning what it takes to win and they continue to show they are learning how to win,” Harmon said. “We’re learning to focus on just doing the next thing right and to not be satisfied with good enough.”

Chatman dialed it up on both ends of the court, netting 20 points with six rebounds and six steals. Felix got it going from long distance, canning four treys in five attempts and finishing with 18 points, three assists and four steals. The team helped the cause by converting 13-of-15 (87%) charity shots.

Grunander collected nine points and four boards. Durrant added five points with three rebounds and four steals while Fugal provided four points and nine boards.

The Cavemen visit Brighton on Tuesday (Dec. 30) for a 3:30 p.m. game. The American Fork girls are sharing a double-header with the boys at home against Davis on Jan. 6, with the girls varsity playing at 6 p.m. followed by the boys at 7:30 p.m.

COUGAR WILSON

GRADE: 12

SPORT: Wrestling

WEIGHT CLASS: 126 lbs

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS: Undefeated at the Juab duals, earning a 9-0 mark for the event on Dec. 12 and 13, which moved his season record to 18-1.

COACH’S COMMENTS: Cougar brings the attitude and effort EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Whether it is practice or a match, we are getting everything from him.

– Coach Cody Mortensen

Sponsored by the Utah National Guard.