PROVO — It's been a long time, if ever, since the girls basketball team at Provo High School has had more success in a season than the boys team.
Well, it might happen this year. Mainly because the boys team lost its Mr. Basketball post player from last year's state championship team, and the girls team has possibly the best post player in the state. The girls team also returns a little bit more experience than Provo's boys squad. However, for either to have success, the progress of the young players will be the determining factor.
PROVO GIRLS
Though the Bulldogs still rely on the inside presence Cassie King to dominate in the post, they should bring a more balanced scoring attack to the table and a little more athleticism than they showed last year.
"We're quicker this year than we were last year," said Provo coach Cory Green. "We want a more balanced scoring attack with a good inside/outside impact."
The new quickness doesn't mean, however, that the team plans to run and gun with the fast-breaking, full-court-pressing teams infiltrating the region. "We're still going to slow teams down and play a half-court offense. When teams try to press us, we're still going to try to play our game."
A dominating center, King loves to take control under the basket and provides quite a challenge for most teams, especially those without much size in the paint. "We have the best center in the state," said Green. "When teams double- and triple-team her this year, we're hoping our guards will be stepping up to the challenge."
King has signed a letter of intent with BYU to play basketball next year.
Guards Kristi Lowell and Mandy Kuchar will return to the court with their team leader, and they'll be joined by a powerful, quick rebounder in Amber Bosco, ex-BYU quarterback Robbie Bosco's daughter. "She's an athletic defender with some good slashing post moves inside," Green said.
Another newcomer, Charlotte MacFarlane, is a hustle player who'll come off the bench to provide a shot of energy. "She gets after every loose ball. She's heady and understands the game well," Green said.
They hope the new athleticism will help them improve on last year's tie for second place in Region 6 and the quarterfinal loss to eventual champion Mountain View in the state playoffs.
PROVO BOYS
If the defending state champions are going to return to the big dance, a green and young lineup must show steady improvement and gain game confidence come league and postseason time.
Junior postman Tanner Gregory is the only returning starter from last year's title-winning team — and he's not really a go-to offensive guy. His main strengths are rebounding, passing and defense. Junior guard Kenyn Koop also saw significant minutes last season, but he's the only other Bulldog with much varsity game experience.
Add in the fact Provo is the defending champs and has a strong winning tradition, and this young Bulldogs team has quite a challenge ahead.
"We've built a successful program at Provo, and there's always pressure to win here," coach Craig Drury said.
Eventually, sophomore swingman Chris Collinsworth will carry most of the team's scoring load. He can shoot from outside or put the ball on the floor and take it to the hoop. He just needs varsity-game confidence.
Provo always has good shooters, and this team is no different. The key will be executing and doing those things that can get a team open shots.
"It's all the young-guy things, just the simple, simple skills that every coach teaches that our kids haven't done yet at this level," Drury said. "There's just a different level of quickness and competitiveness and these kids have to learn to play at that level."
The veteran coach likes the progress he's seeing, and he predicts that by late season the Bulldogs will again be a strong and competitive team.
"I've got some great leaders and some very good players. I like where they are going, and they are going somewhere," Drury said.
Saturday: Timpview
Provo Bulldogs: Girls basketball
Class: 4A
League: Region 6
Last season: 14-9, tied with Payson for second in Region 6. Lost in state 4A quarterfinals to eventual champion Mountain View.
Predicted 2004-5 region finish: Second
Coach: Cory Green, second year. Spent six years as an assistant boys basketball coach at Provo and several years as a girls basketball coach in Iowa.
Key returning players: Cassie King, 6-foot-3 center, Sr.; Kristi Lowell, 5-8 guard, Sr.; Mandy Kuchar, 5-6 guard, Sr.
Newcomers: Amber Bosco, 5-foot-10 guard, Soph.; Charlotte MacFarlane, 5-foot-8 guard, Sr.; Felisita Ika, 5-foot-9 forward, Jr.
Remaining Schedule (home games in bold)
Nov. 30 — at East
Dec. 2 — Murray
Dec. 7 — at Orem
Dec. 10 — at Timpanogos
Dec. 14 — Mountain View
Dec. 16-18 — Christmas Tournament at Las Vegas
Jan. 7 — Lone Peak
Jan. 11 — at Springville
Jan. 14 — at Payson
Jan. 18 — at Spanish Fork
Jan. 21- American Fork
Jan. 28 — at Timpview
Feb. 1— Springville
Feb. 4 — Payson
Feb. 8 — Spanish Fork
Feb. 10 — at American Fork
Feb. 15 — Timpview
Provo Bulldogs: Boys basketball
Class: 4A
League: Region 6
Last season: 17-8, fourth in region, state champions
Predicted 2004-05 region finish: Fourth
Coach: Craig Drury is starting 22nd year as head coach. Provo's state title last years was the school's fourth under his helm.
Key returning players: Tanner Gregory, 6-foot-6 center, Jr.; Kenyn Koop, 6-1 guard, Jr.
Newcomers: Chris Collinsworth, 6-6 forward, So.; Ngoyi Ngoyi, 6-1 forward, Sr.; Warner Jarman, 6-1 guard, So.; Spencer Hutchings, 5-11 guard, Sr.
Remaining Schedule (home games listed in bold)
Dec. 3 — Lone Peak
Dec. 8 — at Orem
Dec. 10 — Pine View
Dec. 15 — Pleasant Grove
Dec. 17 — Mountain View
Dec. 20 — at Laramie Tournament
Dec. 21 — at Laramie Tournament
Dec. 22 — at Laramie Tournament
Jan. 7 — at Timpanogos
Jan. 14 — at Payson
Jan. 18 — at Spanish Fork
Jan. 21 — American Fork
Jan. 28 — at Timpview
Feb. 1 — Springville
Feb. 4 — Payson
Feb. 8 — Spanish Fork
Feb. 11 — at American Fork
Feb. 18 — Timpview
Feb. 22 — at Springville
E-mail: jimr@desnews.com