This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Class 2A girls' basketball race was all about catching up with Enterprise this year. It turned out no one could touch the Wolves — or their 6-foot-1 center Tressa Lyman.
"She was such a good all-around player, and she did it facing constant double or triple teams all year," coach Brian Phelps said. "Her leadership is the best I ever had from a player, and she was pretty much unstoppable on the court."
Lyman made her impact on the score sheet in points and rebounds. But she also played tough defense inside and on the perimeter — her deflections and steals might have won as many games as her offense.
The senior also stepped up in the season's biggest moment. When Beaver fought back from an early deficit to tie the championship game, the Wolves fed the ball to Lyman. When Beaver fouled her, she made eight straight free throws to help her team pull away and avenge a long losing history against the Beavers.
"I was thinking 'We're not losing again,' " Lyman said. "I think everyone felt the same way. We were going to leave our guts on the floor to win that game."
As a leader, Lyman was ever the optimist, always picking up her teammates and helping them believe until they had realized their dream of winning state.
"She always kept us positive, even if she sat out — she was the glue that held us together," teammate Shalee Farnsworth says. "She tried to be strong for the team and refused to lose."