TAYLORSVILLE — Savanna Empey had just nailed arguably the biggest 3-pointer of her American Fork basketball career, pacing the Cavemen to a 46-40 lead in the final minute of Friday’s Class 5A state semifinal.

But she needed an even bigger play in the final minute to secure a championship berth.

Got it.

Empey finished with eight points and two assists, as well as the game-sealing block with 28 seconds remaining, to help American Fork hold on for a 48-45 win over Copper Hills to advance to Saturday’s 5A championship game at Salt Lake Community College.

“I don’t think I was even thinking. I just jumped as high as I could; I knew that they couldn’t get a score,” said Empey, a goalkeeper who has signed with BYU. “I was going as hard as I could.

“I guess I owe it all to soccer.”

The Cavemen (24-1) will face Viewmont (21-3) at 11 a.m. MST Saturday at Salt Lake Community College in the 5A state final.

Taylor Moeaki scored nine of her team-high 15 points in the first half to lead American Fork to a 26-21 halftime advantage.

But the Grizzlies didn’t give up.

Taela Laufiso scored five-straight points, including the go-ahead 3-point play with 6:26 remaining, to give the Grizzlies (21-4) a 38-34 lead midway through the fourth quarter.

American Fork utilized its platoon system of substitutions and thrust Moeaki and Co. back into the game with a one-point deficit and five minutes to make it up.

“We just count on somebody to get hot at some point,” American Fork coach Corey Clayton said. “That’s our philosophy; we’ll keep firing them, and see if someone can get them. It was fun for these guys.”

Related Story

Viewmont girls overcome halftime deficit to earn 5A title berth

Mercedes Staples scored a game-high 21 points, including a pair of free throws, to ice the final scoreline, and the Vikings advanced to the 5A state championship with a 49-47 win over Sky View at Salt Lake Community College on Friday afternoon.

After Empey’s critical trey, Paige Farnsworth followed up with one of her three 3-pointers to give the Cavemen all the scoring they would need. The senior finished with nine points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals on a senior.

Copper Hills pulled within 46-43 on Kiarra Gasu’s triple with 50 seconds left, her only shot of the game. But Taylor Franson blocked a potential game-tying three, and Empey sealed the deal with a defensive stand of her own.

“That’s a senior who doesn’t want it to end,” Clayton said. “I thought she played awesome.”

An American Fork team that made just one 3-pointer in Thursday’s quarterfinals found life from deep, tallying 10 triples on 32 attempts in seeking its first state title since 2009.

“Our focus is just to shoot every open shot,” Empey said. “When we’re going through a really dry spot like that, we’re still going to shoot. We know they’re going to fall.”

Breaunna Gillen scored a game-high 18 points to lead Copper Hills, and Laufiso finished with nine points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks for the Grizzlies.

Related topics