The North Sevier Wolves are still smarting over their sub-par 1999.
The Wolves were ranked at the top for most of the year, but stubbed their toe in the region tournament and failed to make the state tournament with a 17-4 record.
North Sevier coach Craig Gladwell hopes that will be some motivation for his team as it was projected as the No. 2 team in the state behind Beaver in the coaches' preseason straw poll.
The Wolves return the classification's leading scorer at 17.5 points per game and first team all-state selection Talin Zimmer, while Aaron Reynolds and Seth Hallows split time at the guard position. Landon Hallows saw limited time as a back up.
"We're going to be good because Talin is great," Gladwell said. " We could be right to the top or we could struggle if things don't come together."
Beaver, which finished 1999 with a 10-14 record, but coach Calvin Albrecht has all five starters back for the 2000 campaign.
"We're excited about the year," Albrecht said. "We usually never have had five guys coming back."
Matt and Bret Albrecht averaged 11 and nine points a game, respectively, while Craig Foster, who is coming off a football ankle injury, averaged eight points. Jeremy Martin and Wes Marshall were the other two starters. But Albrecht said they have already juggled the lineup in their first two games in hopes of finding a good combination.
"We do have a veteran team and good athletes," Albrecht said. "I think if we can get it together we'll be real competitive. A few games down the road we'll have a better idea of where we're sitting."
Following Beaver, which was picked to win the South Division, and North Sevier, the projected Central leader, is South Sevier, the 1999 state champion. Juab and Duchesne round out the Top 5.
South Sevier (16-8) is returning four contributors in Reggie Parsons (12 ppg, four assists), Aaron Owens (8 ppg), Jaron Maynes (8 ppg) and Bryan Castle (4 ppg). They already have a victory over Beaver this year.
Juab finished 16-6 and third in the state in 1999, are young and inexperienced, but they have senior Scot Howarth back to help guide the ship.
"We could be a very exciting team," Juab coach Wade Jacobsen said.
Duchesne has five players at 6-foot-3 or taller, with Cris Hoopes (6-5), who averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds a year ago, leading the way. They also have 6-2 guard Cole Allen back and 6-5 center Shaun Mullins.
"If our guards continue to improve we could be good," Duchesne coach Stan Young said. "Our (preseason) schedule is very tough which should help us get ready for the season."
South Summit, picked to win the North Division, has been in the playoffs the last two years, but the Wildcats will start the season banged up. Four of their top seven players are still suffering from football injuries. Grantsville and Rowland Hall are expected to take shots at the Wildcats.
E-MAIL: jhinton@desnews.com