SALT LAKE CITY — The 3-pointers weren't falling for American Fork during the quarterfinal round, but went through just in the nick of time on Friday to lift the Cavemen past Copper Hills 48-45 in the semifinal round of the 5A state playoffs.
All four of American Fork's field goals came behind the arc during the fourth quarter of Friday's game, proving to be just enough in a tightly-contested contest.
"Those few we hit late were huge and you can't make them if you (quit) shooting them," said American Fork coach Corey Clayton following his team's win. "I was proud of how our kids fought and when you get to the semis, you just have to find a way to win."
In the Cavemen's win over Fremont in the quarterfinals they went 1 of 18 from behind the arc, yet found a way to come away with a win. While its 10-of-32 effort from 3-point range in Friday's win wasn't exactly the definition of burning up the nets, American Fork made sure to make at least four of the makes in timely fashion.
Particularly effective late was Paige Farnsworth, who drilled two of her three made 3-pointers in the final quarter, while Jamie Shepherd and Savanna Empey contributed the other two, respectively.
Farnworth's final 3 capped off a 9-0 run by the Cavemen, which saw them jump out to a 46-40 lead with just under three minutes remaining. About two minutes Copper Hills' Kiarra Gasu cut the lead to 46-43 with 49.3 seconds left with a 3-pointer of her own.
The Grizzlies then managed a steal to really put the game in jeopardy for the Cavemen, until Clayton's girls decided to buck up defensively. Two straight blocked 3-point attempts, by Empey and Taylor Franson, helped thwart the Grizzlies' comeback attempt.
"It's just energy," Empey said of the defensive stand. "We just build off of each other. We touch each other and make sure that we know that we're in this together, that's what it's about."
As for Franson, she all but put the game on ice with two made free throws with 18.1 seconds left — pushing the lead to 48-43.
"She's a senior who has been in the semifinals of the state tournament four times, so she should want that opportunity," Clayton said of Franson's made free throws. "So that was good for us."
Indeed Franson didn't really look to get rid of the ball upon receiving the inbounds pass in an obvious foul situation for the Grizzlies.
Leading the way for American Fork was once again Taylor Moeaki, who scored a team-high 15 points. Leading Copper Hills was Breaunna Gillen, who scored a game-high 18.
With the win American Fork advances to the 5A state championship game after bowing out in the semifinal round two seasons in a row.
"It's always a joy and it's hard to get there," Clayton said. "So we're going to soak up every ounce of it and see if we can get it done."
American Fork will tip off against Viewmont this Saturday at 1 p.m. MST to decide the 5A state championship.
Email: bgurney@desnews.com
Twitter: @BrandonCGurney