Every game day might bring something new on the basketball court, but for Mountain View's new head coach, Laura Romo, there is one thing she can count on.
A candy bar and a card.
"My husband and I started dating when I started coaching in 1989, and he puts a card and a Snickers bar in my car, " said Romo, whose second-ranked Bruins take on Jordan in the first round of the 5A tournament today at Salt Lake Community College. "Even when he's out of town, he hides the card and Snickers bar somewhere in the house and then calls and tells me where it is."
The Romos won't change any part of that ritual now that she's taken the helm of the program she's been a part of for 17 years.
"It's a whole coaching staff thing, and it always has been," she said, noting that she didn't feel any different preparing for this tournament than any of the others. "We just try to prepare the best we can, and everyone does their part. We're just going to play the best we can, like always."
Romo said it will be different sitting on the sideline of a state tournament without the man she's worked for all of those 17 years, Dave Houle. He retired mid-season amid controversy that left the team emotionally depleted. During that week, the team barely won an overtime game against Lone Peak and then the Bruins lost their first region game in more than 10 years to Timpanogos. Michelle Harrison said at the team's win over Timpanogos a week ago that those who hadn't gone through the hardship with the players couldn't understand just how difficult it had been for all of the players and coaches.
But with another region title firmly in their grasp, the Bruins are ready to make another championship run. In addition to Harrison, who is averaging 19 points and 13 rebounds per game, Maylene Ornelas and Erica Eyestone are playing extremely well for the Bruins. They face a very hungry Jordan High team that finished the year with an upset of Taylorsville. The victory meant the Beetdiggers (5-5) tied with the Warriors (5-5), which led to a coin flip to settle which team would play Mountain View and which team would face Timpanogos. Taylorsville won the flip, which means it gets to face the T-wolves in its first game of the tournament.
Timpanogos (7-3) is led by Chelsey Brown, a solid outside shooter, and senior Jen Harris, who has played injured the second half of the season. The Warriors will play without Reisha Bullock, who left Utah to return home to Louisiana a week ago, but they still have depth with Tilisa Vakalahi, Tia Paulani, Nicole Rupp and Ande Miller.
The top-ranked 5A team is Brighton, and it's the only 5A team to go undefeated in region play. The Bengals have tough, quick and hard-working players led by Tasha Dickey, Aubrey Mackintosh and Brenna Hahn. When forward Ali Jackson plays well in the paint, they have everything they need to beat any other team. They open the tournament with Spanish Fork, a team that upset Lone Peak and nearly beat Mountain View.
If the Bengals win, they face the winner of the Layton (10-2) vs. Hunter (4-6) matchup. The Lancers boast one of the state's best all-around athletes in Ashley McFarland and they have several younger players who make up for what they lack in experience with talent and energy. One of those is Sheila Adams, who can knock down 3-point shots like some players make layups.
The final game of today's opening round is Riverton (9-1) and Davis (8-4), and this game promises to be one of the best. While Davis has height, Riverton has the best defense in the state. The Silverwolves are capable of suffocating defense, and they are led by experienced players like Amanda Hansen, Kim Gamblin and Dayna Burgess, all of whom can score in double digits. The Darts are led by Chiara Fonnesbeck, Amy Dunford and Jenica Johnson.
On Tuesday, the other eight teams play, starting with Taylorsville and Timpanogos. Then, fourth-ranked Bingham (9-1) takes on Fremont (8-4). The Miners have no seniors, but have experienced players like forwards Megan Marks and Cami Hymas and guards Stephanie Sampson and freshman Nicole Yazzie. The Silver Wolves have young players also, but are led by one of the state's best athletes and a feisty competitor in Maddie Fowler.
Fremont coach Larry Hadley just laughs when asked what he thinks of his opening-round draw.
"If you want to be the best, you've got to beat the best," Hadley said. "We'll step on the floor and see what we can do."
Clearfield (10-2) will take on West Jordan (3-7), and the Jaguars are much better than their record might indicate. The Falcons lost to Fremont early in the season and late in region play to Layton, but have one of the best players in point guard Haley Hall.
The last game of the day could be one of the best of the first round when Skyline (8-2) takes on Lone Peak (6-4). Both squads are capable of doing a lot of damage in the tournament, but they've both struggled at times living up to their potential. Skyline is led by Jaime Judkins, Jenessa Jackson and Danielle Peterson, while the Knights have forward Amanda Farish and guard Caitlin Sears.
"I'm excited for the matchup," said Lone Peak coach Keith Flood. "It's a tough first-round game, but this is such a deep tournament. Honestly, there are eight or 10 teams that can win this tournament."
Adds Hadley, "The champs are going to earn it this year."
E-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com