American Fork » Jordan's Kevin Goldsmith is used to it. Playing behind an experienced post player last season, the only way he could contribute offensively was to get offensive rebounds for putbacks.

That has carried over into his senior season and that's how he got most of his team-leading 21 points in a close 54-51 region win over American Fork on Wednesday.

"I like being the garbage guy," Goldsmith said. "I was just trying to be where the ball was."

In the first half, it was Goldsmith who kept the Beetdiggers in the game.

American Fork came out strong, bolting out to a 9-0 lead. Sophomore point guard Marcel Davis got the offense going. When he wasn't driving to the basket, he was finding teammates for open looks. American Fork had a 22-11 lead after the first eight minutes.

But that tempo was hard to sustain and American Fork struggled to score the same way in the second.

"After the first quarter, we told them they gave it their best shot. Now let's give it ours," Jordan coach Rob Geertsen said. "American Fork is a team of runs, and we tried to weather the storm and keep our composure."

Jordan chipped away at the lead, and even though they trailed for a majority of the half, a long three-pointer by Joe Mero gave the Beetdiggers the lead seconds before halftime.

American Fork started the third much like they started the game. The Cavemen went on a 10-0 run but pounding the ball inside and getting to the free-throw line allowed Jordan to come back.

In the fourth quarter, Jordan's lead ballooned to as much as seven points after an 11-0 run.

mthach@sltrib.com