Weber coach Lee Dickemore shrugs off the notion that his top-ranked Warriors are the team to beat this season.
"Who knows? I don't think you can say that," he said. "There's some excellent teams in 5A."However, few, if any, have the firepower Weber has.
Weber State recruit Nic Sparrow and Loyola Marymount-bound Chad Evans headline an athletic starting five (all 6-foot-3 and taller) that includes additional college prospects Nick Harrop, Matt Payne and 6-foot-8 pivotman Dirk Lighthall.
Dickemore's Warriors, who were ousted from the Huntsman Center playoffs in two games last year, are off to a 7-0 start.
Weber's road to its first state championship in 26 years, however, must pass through defending champion Brighton. Despite a surprising preseason loss to Skyline, the Bengals remain a serious title contender. Returning 5A MVP Morgan Smith and Washington state move-in Jon Carlisle (both likely headed for BYU) lead the cats.
Davis and Bingham join Weber and Brighton as projected region champions.
A look at league coaches straw polls:
Region 1
1. Weber: Evans, Sparrow, Lighthall, Harrop and Payne give the Warriors an extremely athletic starting line-up. The Warriors currently own the state's top 5A ranking.
2. Fremont: Bonneville transfer Andy Fishburn (17 ppg) provides immediate help for the rebuilding Silver Wolves. Center Mike Hale is another top senior.
3. Layton: Coach Scott Applegate says his Lancers are "young, but talented." Injury-plagued Raan Trahan (12 ppg) is the sole returning starter.
4. Roy: Seniors Danny Thomas and Darren Dugger are the only returning lettermen for the Royals. Thomas averaged 18.1 points and 6.5 rebounds as a junior.
5. Clearfield: The Falcons hope to take flight with new coach Brett Higgins. Seniors Eric Scholer and Shane Rhoades are veterans of note.
6. Bonneville: New coach Rod Belnap leads a guard-oriented group of Lakers. Preston Judd (12 ppg) and James Dixon man the starting backcourt.
7. Northridge: The Knights of the roundball have a proven scorer in Kenny Gertge. Will others step forward?
Region 2
1. Davis: The Darts have high hopes - literally. Senior center Dan Howard, a 7-footer headed to BYU, is back after breaking a leg last season. He and junior Ted Hollist look to get Davis back to the state finals.
2. Bountiful: Mike Maxwell's Braves have four starters - Brandy Peterson, Brett Hewlett, Danny Wilbur and Josh Kilgore - back. The seniors rely on speed and conditioning.
3. Cottonwood: Shaun Dennery (12 ppg), Mike Bernstein (12 ppg) and Shawn Andreason (8 ppg) are seniors armed with ability in a patient offensive attack.
4. Viewmont: Jake Shoff's transfer to American Fork left the Viking cupboard somewhat bare. No returning starters equates to a rebuilding year. Junior Brad Crockett is one to watch.
5. Highland: Senior Kyle Langston and junior Creighton Scott lead the charge for veteran coach Clark Godfrey, who says the Rams can shoot and have heart.
6. Skyline: Coach Charlie Whiting says his team would be able to challenge anybody by the middle of December. To prove it, the Eagles knocked off highly touted Brighton.
Region 3
1. Bingham: Longtime coach George Sluga says the Miners have good size, good experience, good quickness and good comraderie. "We should be good," he added. All five starters return.
2. Taylorsville: Is there life after Michael Vranes? Shorter, but quicker than Warrior teams of the past T-ville will look to senior Jason Robinson (12 ppg, 8 rpg) for leadership.
3. Granger: The defending region champions have only one starter back. However, senior Jordan Mulford (15 ppg, 8 apg) is capable of carrying quite a load.
4. West Jordan: Coach Steve Galley isn't sure what to make of this year's Jaguars. Robert Judd is the lone starter back on a team, though successful at other levels, with little varsity experience.
5. Hunter: Brett Moss (10 ppg, 6 rpg) tops a returning cast for the smallish Wolverines that includes senior Kevin Johnston and sophomore Brandon Moore.
6. Copper Hills: What will the Grizz do for an encore after winning nine games in their inaugural campaign? Josh Coe leads a senior class seeking more "W's."
7. Kearns: Coach Weymie Anderson's Cougars have no where to go but up. However, thanks to an all-inclusive format postseason play is a reality.
Region 4
1. Brighton: Returning 5A MVP Smith (18 ppg, 6 rpg) is joined by move-in Carlisle (17 ppg, 10 rpg) as the Bengals seek a championship repeat.
2. Alta: Coach Ron Carling says the Hawks' measuring stick will be how well they handle pressure. Skyline transfer Chris Handy patrols the middle, while Nick Crosby handles the point.
3. American Fork: Newcomer Shoff mans the middle after an all-state junior season at Viewmont. Guard Toby Christensen (8 ppg) is the top returning Caveman.
4. Hillcrest: Three-year starters Dane Ishihara (11.8 ppg) and Spencer Cottle (12.3 ppg) give the Huskies a potent 1-2 punch. The seniors man the outside and inside, respectively.
5. Orem: Shawn Ford (13.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg) and Spencer Abney (8 ppg, 5 rpg) are the top Tigers. The frontliners both started for Orem last season.
6. Jordan: Veteran coach Hal Hale's Beetdiggers will follow the lead of senior captains Torrey Henich and Paul Wilfert.
7. Mountain View: The Bruins graduated their top nine players from last season's 22-3 team. Ryan Kerekes is the lone senior in the main rotation.
8. Timpanogos: New coach. New school. New everything. The Timberwolves lack in experience, but Mark Hardman's troops hope to make up for it with active play.