In a classification where the talent seems as spread out as the schools are, two teams are emerging as possible state champions. Unfortunately, they're both in the same region, so only one will make it to the title game.
Beaver and Enterprise were almost evenly split in the number of 2A coaches who believe one of these two teams is the best in the state. That respect extends to the two men leading this classification's top teams.
Beaver's coach Jonathon Marshall ranked Enterprise No. 1 in their region and state. Enterprise Coach Brian Phelps ranked the Beavers best in both categories. The teams don't meet until Jan. 18 during region play.
Both coaches have strong squads and expect to make a run at the state championship that eluded them last year. Phelps has the heart of his squad back in center Randi Hunt, forward Sam Moyle and guard Stacee Truman. They're hungry for a championship as many of these same girls surprised a lot of people when they made it to the finals in volleyball a month ago.
They fell short there, so they may want to win in basketball just that much more. Phelps said his team is "experienced, good sized and quick." North Sevier, a team that finished third in the state tournament last year, played Enterprise last week and lost by 19 points. Coach Lexa Larson lost her post player to graduation, and that's the Wolves' strength. Her team is looking to do some upsetting this year.
"We're really small and quick," she said. "We're still trying to figure out how to defend the post. If we can figure that out, we should be tough."
Marshall said his Beavers have what any championship team needs: depth.
He has players who might start on any other team who will settle for coming off the bench.
"We should be quite athletic and hope to be able to outrun other teams," he said.
His squad is led by Nicole Gillins, who averaged 12 points and seven rebounds per game as a forward. She and Candace Barton are the only two starting seniors. Barton, also a forward, averaged nine points and three steals per game.
They'll also have height in the middle with sophomore center Chelsey Eyre.
Parowan is looking to get back into that championship game, where they came up short against the South Sevier Rams last year. Coach Alana Benson said the team is quick and has a powerful game both inside and out.
They're led by senior guard Katy Cooke and junior point guard Rachael Laurizen. Dove Grimm, junior, will handle the inside for the Rams at center and forward.
South Sevier's season isn't getting off to the kind of start that might strike fear into anyone's heart but their own. They're 2-0, losing to Richfield, a larger school, and Wayne, a smaller school. One person who isn't worried is Randy Madsen.
"We're a pretty young team," he said, noting he only has one senior who played very much. "But I think we're going to be good when it counts. I think we have a chance to repeat."
The Rams are led by Alisa Rose, a senior center, who's had 21 and 20 points in each of the team's games this year.
"I think she's one of the top players in Utah — in any classification," Madsen said. The Rams will find out just how good the Beavers really are, as that's the next team on their tough schedule.
South Summit, Rowland Hall and Kanab could surprise some teams this season and all have squads capable of taking them to the state championship.
E-MAIL: adonaldson@desnews.com