Prep girls basketball: Springville has easy time in win over Herriman.

Herriman • In its first game of the new year, it seemed the Springville girls basketball team already moved on from its final game of 2010.

The Red Devils (7-1) turned around from the team's first loss in nearly two years to throttle Herriman (3-9) in a 60-21 blowout Friday night. Forward Lexi Eaton led all scorers with 27 points, but most of the Springville team got to show its skills.

"It felt good to get out on the court again," said Eaton, whose team had only played once since Dec. 16. "We've been trying to start out strong, and working on defense helps us do that."

The Red Devils' press was so effective, the Mustangs managed only 12 points in the first three quarters — by which point the Springville starters were on the bench. Herriman was in serious danger of being shut out in the third quarter before Brooke Gunter nailed a jumper near the end.

The Mustangs managed to claw back in the final period with nine points, narrowly avoiding its second 40-point loss in as many nights.

"It was fun to let everyone get some experience," coach Nancy Warner said. "We got some confidence back."

It was a welcome boost for a Springville team that had more than a week to reflect on a 70-65 loss to Lone Peak. The defeat snapped a 29-game winning streak for the defending 4A champs.

"I think honestly we learned from it, and we've moved on," Eaton said. "We had a few things to fix, so we decided to learn from it."

Meanwhile, Herriman has another loss to learn from. The first-year program is in the middle of one of 5A's toughest schedules, dropping three games this week before heading on the road until Jan. 27.

Coach Jill Ames said her team has pulled through some of its worst defeats by accomplishing smaller, individual goals: running plays correctly, getting rebounds and forcing turnovers.

"In a game like this, you can't play the scoreboard, or else you're not going to get better," Ames said. "We competed all game, and we were better tonight than we were last night. It will take time, so we try to get better in little chunks."

kgoon@sltrib.comTwitter: @kylegoon —

Springville routs Herriman

• The Red Devils come off their first loss since 2009 with a 60-21 win over the Mustangs.

• Forward Lexi Eaton scores 27 in the victory, and nine Springville players score.

• Herriman suffers its third defeat by 30 or more points in four days.