After years of obscurity, Granite's making strides

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), May 5, 2005 | by Amy Donaldson Deseret Morning News

Two weeks ago Granite High School's softball team was just another team struggling to play well in obscurity.

"We were fighting just to take fourth place," said Granite softball coach Paul Lovato. "Then the girls just turned it around. If we just go and play our game, we know what we can do . . . These kids have nothing to lose . . . They have the chance to show Utah they're a good program, not one of those beat up high schools that people think we are."

The Farmers' softball team played themselves into a share of the Region 10 title and a No. 1 seed in the 3A softball tournament.

"It's kind of nice to get some recognition," Lovato said.

Lovato took over the program three years ago and began to work on changing expectations and attitudes.

"My expectations were high, but it's got to come down to the kids," he said. "Now they expect more . . . The girls have worked very hard."

In his first year, Granite won four games, and the second year the Farmers won seven games. This year, the Farmers are 10-5 over all, and 7-3 in region play.

"This year they're just on a high," Lovato said. "We just haven't gotten any respect . . . They do have good athletes at the school."

The winning season has meant a lot to more than just the softball players.

"The school has been very supportive," he said. "The principal . . . the student body."

The team is led by two seniors, centerfielder Chantel Buehler and pitcher/third baseman Brittney Wamsley. Juniors Ashley Perrine and Shannon Hurst and sophomore Amy Broadbent are also key players for the squad.

"We can play with anybody if we stay focused," she said. "We're executing what we need to do to win . . . I'm just glad to be a part of history."

Granite will face either Ben Lomond or Ogden, two teams battling for fourth place in Region 11 on Wednesday. In region eight, Lehi went undefeated to claim the region title and No. 1 seed. The Pioneers play Cedar in the opening round of the tournament.

Canyon View is Region 9's No. 1 seed with only one loss to Pine View.

In Region 11, Bear River is the No. 1 seed with just one region loss. The Bears split with defending 3A champion Tooele, but they determine seeding by runs allowed, and the Bears scored more against the Buffaloes, so they will play Uintah in Garland.

"This is probably the best balanced state tournament field I've ever seen," said Bears coach Calvin Bingham. The Bears have two solid pitchers in Erica Park and Tasha Chaddis, and they're hitting really well right now.

Still, Bingham knows a number of teams are capable of hitting well at tournament time when anything can happen.

"It's going to be an interesting state tournament," Bingham said. "There are probably eight or nine teams that have a legitimate chance of winning."

E-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com