Pressure doesn't come and go for the Timpview High basketball team. It's always there.
Sure, the pursuit of a 4A 3-peat brings with is pressure.
"We don't feel pressure because we won it," Timpview coach Perry Wildeboer said. "Our expectations and players' expectations are already there. You can't add to that."
Along with that the T-Birds are ranked No. 1 in Class 4A, but Timpview coach Perry Wildeboer doesn't mind.
"I don't see it (the ranking) as a curse," he said. "People know who we are. Our program is good enough that people have gotten up for us."
Two years ago when the T-Birds won the first of two the didn't return any starters and they didn't last year either, but this year they return one starter in Dane Runia, with a good complement of players in Jake Moon, Matt Orme and Kyle Roberts who are capable of scoring in double figures every night.
"We're a balanced team," he said. "You can't take away one player and beat us."
Sky View, Lone Peak, Cyprus and Bountiful round out the Class 4A preseason Top 5.
Here's a look at Class 4A region by region.
REGION 4
1. Logan — With five guys at 6-foot-3 or taller the Grizzlies (13-9) will be deep with Todd Nyman and Jared Lowe (6-3) at the guards and Matt Peterson (6-4) and Mike Bennett (6-3) at forwards and Tory Haines (6-6) and Chad Fairbanks (6-5) at center.
2. Fremont — First year coach Bernie Graziano will count on BYU signee Jared Jensen (6-8), who averaged 16.5 points and nine rebounds a game a year ago, Adam Beus and Beau Hadley.
3. SkyView — Coach Terrell Baldwin will have little experience surrounding his big gun and Utah State recruit, Nate Harris, who averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds a game for the Bobcats.
4. MountainCrest — The Mustangs have good size, quickness and shooting ability, but they don't return any starters, thought they have seniors Bill Van Dyke, Tanner Smith, Michael Brown and Seyi Adeyemi that could provide needed leadership.
5. Bonneville — The Lakers should be solid defensively and have experienced guards on Brandon Scholly (15 ppg, 4 apg) and Jake Atwater (8 ppg, 3 apg).
6. Box Elder — The Bees will lack and inside presence, but all of coach Keith Mecham's players can score, led by David Yates (6-4), who average 15 points and seven rebounds per game last season.
7. Weber — The Warriors will look for two-time football all-starter Ty Sparrow, who already has scored 19 and 21 points this year to help carry of offense along with the help of Mike Bailey.
8. Roy — The Royals suffered through a miserable season in 1999 by winning just one game, but senior guard Justin Henrie, who averaged 10 points a game for coach Bart Hadley is back as is senior Mike Mesbaghi, who averaged four points, three assists and one steal per outing.
REGION 5
1. Bountiful — The Braves' big, deep and quick forward Jeff Jensen and point-guard Matt Blood can flat score at 16 points and 13.8, respectively, in 1999. Ben Murdock is a good role player and, with time, junior Kelly Orchard (6-9) could be a force inside.
2. Cyprus — Clyde Ahlquist is back at his alma mater as a coach and has a big-time player in Lance Ellett who can score inside as well as knock down the 3-ball. They also have senior leadership in Monty Rogers, Clayton Osborn and Jeff McCleve.
3. Murray — Back for coach Gordon Kener are 6-7 center Parker Thomas who averaged 11 points a game a year ago and point guard Matt Thomas who averaged a dozen 1999. Keep your eye on sophomore point guard Johnny Little.
4. Olympus — The defending region champions are small but they will press, create an up-tempo game and fire up the three with Craig Walton (16 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 apg) and Lance Wallin (12 ppg, 7 rpg, 2 apg).
5. West — Want nothing more than to improve the 5-15 record last year. Senior William Taukiuvea and his 18.3 ppg are back, along with Kurtis Rice (5.6 ppg) and Dallas Drecksel (4.6 ppg).
6. Highland — Three-year starter Jackson Owen (12 ppg) is back to lead a group of seniors in Chris Turner, Nic Johnson, Dylan Durham and Junior Lopez. They will also get some help from junior newcomer Brian Smith at guard.
7. East — The Leopards are returning one starter from last year in Chris Grant (9.7 ppg), but coach Kerry Rupp said he has a good group of young players who should improve as they develop in the program.
8. WoodsCross — Chris Conradi, Bo Winder, Nathan Nelson, Brett Robertson and Brock Beck all saw considerable action for the Wildcats, who tied for fifth in league play last year.
REGION 6
1. Timpview — Besides the aforementioned Runia, Moon, Orme and Roberts, senior Mike Bateman and juniors Cam Taylor and Brad Ruffner add depth to the already solid T-Birds.
2. LonePeak — Chase Palmer and Sam Burgess are back for coach Ryan Cuff as they make a run as the T-Birds for the region championship.
3. Payson — The Lions made it to the semis last season and have major contributors in Skylar Crouch (12 ppg, 6 rpg), Alan Marvin (11 ppg, 4 steals) and Bray Buy (10 ppg, 5 assists) back to make another run.
4. Provo — The Bulldogs won the Region 6 title and finished second in state behind Timpview. Rob Holcombe, the Dogs' only starter is back as is Joe Wood. The Wesley brothers, T-Ka and T.G. could be significant contributors.
5. PleasantGrove — The Vikings will send to the floor one of their best team in years with five players 6-4 or taller. Cameron Patch (12 ppg, 6 rpg), Kyle Anderson (7 ppg, 5 apg) and Colt Sampson (5 ppg, 8 rpg) are returning.
6. SpanishFork — The Dons are looking forward to region play as they will rely on their defensive pressure and hustle. James Palmer, Russell Cramer and Phillip Bushman are expected to be contributors.
7. AmericanFork — Coach Bob Ekker isn't returning any starters and could start three sophomores. Matt Hammer and Jefferson Hansen are two seniors that are back from a year ago.
8. Springville — Coach Gregg Smith said the Devils will finish higher than most people might expect as they have good height in guard Josh Monsen (6-3, 6 ppg) and Aaron Andrus (6-5, 5 ppg, 6 rpg).
E-MAIL: jhinton@desnews.com