By Kyle Goon

| The Salt Lake Tribune

Taylorsville » The American Fork girls’ basketball team had beaten the Hawks before, but not on this court, not in the playoffs. But now, it has officially knocked off a champion.

There won’t be a title repeat in this year’s Class 5A girls’ basketball tournament — the Cavemen toppled defending champ Alta in a 56-51 nail-biter Thursday night at Salt Lake Community College.

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At a glance

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American Fork downs reigning champ Alta

Cassidy Fraughton and Ashley Baugh combine for 32 points for the Cavemen.

» American Fork shoots 18-for-25 from the free throw line in the second half.

» Makenzi Morrison leads the Hawks with a game-high 29 points.

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In victory, the Cavemen showed one of the qualities that made the Hawks a winner last year — Calm under pressure.

"[At the free throw line,] it was just about going up there and saying, ‘This is it — I’m not going to miss this,’" junior guard Cassidy Fraughton said.

American Fork scored only 13 points in the first half and allowed a 10-0 run before halftime, but charged back. The team scored 13 in the third quarter, followed by a 28-point fourth quarter.

Ashley Baugh, in particular, came alive at the finish, racking up 10 points in the fourth quarter and going 5 for 7 from the line. Fraughton finished with a team-high 18 points and went 9 for 10 from the line. The team also kept pace with Alta with long-range shooting, making 4-of-6 of its 3-pointers.

Alta senior guard Makenzi Morrison put on an offensive showcase, as she finished season with a memorable 29 points.

In other 5A games

Weber 52, Bingham 40 » The Warriors were red hot from 3-point range and solid from the free-throw line in a win over Bingham. Erin Reichle gave the Miners fits, finishing with 21 points and a perfect 8 for 8 from the line.

Riverton 37, Layton 31 » The Silverwolves outscored the Lancers 15-6 in the final period and took advantage of their chances on the free throw line to notch a victory. Jamie Smith went 6 for 6 in the fourth quarter to lift Riverton.

Syracuse 66, Lone Peak 43 » The Knights stood tough early, but the Titans overwhelmed them with a full-court press, scoring 18 points off turnovers and running a relentless fast break. Brittney Martin led Syracuse with 18 points.