The high school baseball skippers in Utah didn't exactly test the stability of the proverbial ledge in predicting who they thought would win state championships this season.
Anybody surprised by the following early season selections as No. 1 ballclubs in the four current competing classifications: Taylorsville, Murray, Uintah and Grand County?
Didn't think so. Of course, that doesn't mean the four faves will be crowned champs at the tournaments next month in Ogden (3A, 4A and 5A) and Orem (2A). But they are the marked squads, according to a Deseret News polling of the state's coaches.
Here's a look at each classification:
CLASS 5A: A pattern on the diamond has been established among the state's biggest schools. Since concluding a three-peat in 1994, the Taylorsville Warriors have won a title every other year. And guess who didn't win the championship last season? Yep, the same Warriors who were picked as the team to beat above Skyline and defending 5A champion Bingham.
The Warriors are so loaded with talent this year — six players already have college scholarships — so they seem to have the right stuff to revive the good ole T-Ville Magic for a ninth title in 15 years. Chris Mower is back as a double threat, having pitched to a 7-1 record with a 1.71 ERA while batting .370 with 20 RBI last year. T-Ville's pitching staff is solid all around with Danny Wright, Matt Shepherd, Brad Burrow, Mike Lewis and Cody Smith. Shortstop Schafer Magana and second baseman Andy Swanson are a dazzling duo up the middle and have crafty bats, and catcher Curt Bowen adds some more offensive punch.
Though the Miners have had some struggles so far this year, they are a team to be watched as long as injuries don't hamper 'em too much. The split with Riverton hurt Bingham's depth. Logan Sorensen, the Wichita State signee who batted .406 with 25 RBI and posted a 2.83 ERA for the 1999 champs, is one of the key returners who has been sidelined after shoulder surgery. Beau Stoker, Randon Young, Jeff Garduno and Justin Dumont are other guys who'll need to come up in clutch.
Skyline has beaten three of the other Top 5 teams — Alta, Brighton and T-Ville — so consider the Eagles a serious contender. The Eagles have two Div. 1 players in shortstop Cort Wilson (Hawaii) and catcher Joel Taylor (Utah). Matt Ciaramella, Darren Duckworth, Ryan Florence, Ben Green and Troy Maxfield are other Skyline standouts.
Alta should prove tough for the next month or so led by all-stater Jason Snyder, who gives the Hawks some gusto from the hill. His twin, Jared Snyder, Jordon Jones, Tyler Perry, Cole Dumas, Cory Newton and Courtney Nelson are others expected to contribute.
Brighton has a new coach (former Box Elder coach Bill McDonald) and only four returners with varsity experience, but the coaches gave them respect as the No. 5 team. Key players include Sean Overholt, Chad Thomsen, Mitch Evers and Brett Sato.
Other Top 5 vote-getters: Mountain View, Timpanogos, Viewmont, Copper Hills, Davis, Kearns and West Jordan.
CLASS 4A: The Murray Spartans are picked to return to the winner's podium after not having elevated that high since a string of three titles in five years ended in 1993.
Though team speed could be a slight concern, the Spartans have all the tools of a champion — a deep pitching rotation, reliable hitting, a good defense and almost everyone back from a region championship team a year ago. Leading the march for Murray are Stanford-bound Ben Summerhays, who was 9-2 and batted .438 last year, and all-staters Nick Peay (6-2, .388) and Clayne Garrett (.378). Also back are all-region players Clint Cowley and Tyler Vigil.
Pitching should be the strength of Spanish Fork down the stretch as the Dons don four productive players from the mound, including Beau Giles and Brad Nance. Future BYU player Brad Hales is Spanish Fork's best hitter returning. He batted .413 with 27 RBI as a junior.
With six returning players from the 1999 4A championship squad, the Mountain Crest Mustangs aren't going to be an easy club to overtake come tourney time. Ryan Jessop was 8-0 with a 2.67 ERA as a junior, while shortstop Nick Bott (.370, 30 RBI) and catcher Doug Robinson (.268, 20 RBI) can belt the ball well.
Pleasant Grove doesn't have a wealth of experience, but the Vikings have wins over Taylorsville and Bingham under their belt. They have a couple of very talented players in shortstop Austin Carter and second baseman Jake Story.
Though a bad preseason has some wondering about Weber, the coaches believe they'll be a tough team to handle when it counts. Jason Call, Josh Barrett, Jon Graves, Mark Sanufsky and Brian Wahlen make up the corps of the group that has good pitching depth and good team speed.
Other Top 5 vote-getters: Lone Peak, Olympus, Provo, Cyprus, Payson and Springville.
CLASS 3A: The dynasty in Dinosaurland could get more glamorous as the Utes are predicted to win for a third straight season and for the fourth time in five years.
Uintah returns five starters off its championship squad, most notably first-team all-staters AJ Murray (9-0 record), centerfielder Chris Busch (.438, 23 stolen bases) and second baseman Morgan Smuin (two homers in finals).
The biggest challengers to the boys from Vernal are likely the top three teams from southern Utah — Snow Canyon, Cedar City and Dixie.
Snow Canyon has some top-notch players such as Garrett Jacobsen, Shawn Lambert and Scott Jensen. Cedar will rely on players like Jeff Oliverson and James Platt to help them rise above the rest, while Dixie has the quartet of Dave Horlacher, Josh Frehner, Bryan Wilson and Joe Wright to carry the Flyers, who beat Murray and Spanish Fork in the preseason.
Emery has some of the finest players in the 3A ranks with Mitch Childs (.420, 11 HRs), Bret Bennett (.405) and Brad Stilson (5-1). DJ Card and Klinton Anderson give the Spartans also chip in and could help Emery rise.
Other Top 5 vote-getters: Bear River, Carbon, Park City, Hurricane, Lehi, Pine View and Tooele.
CLASS 2A: Repeat is also the oft-said word in the 2A baseball ranks, as the Grand County Red Devils were picked as early favorites to pick up their second consecutive crown. That despite only having four starters back from the '99 championship club. All four hit over .400 as juniors, so they have a good base. Aaron Striblen put together a .603 average with 43 RBI, while Coy Woodard (.431), Dusty Steele (.410) and Aaron Englebright (.409) each can hold their own at the plate.
Grantsville's expected to be in the thick of things as pitcher Jeremy Cummings, shortstop Aaron Nelson, utility player Chris Fawson and catcher Dustin Ford spearhead the charge.
Defense is a strength of Manti's, and with some timely pitching the Templars could make a run at it. Seniors Derek Jensen and McKay Anderson provide good leadership, while Scott Christensen is a tough thrower for a sophomore. Juab has a lot of experience back, which should bode well for the Wasps.
Gunnison fields a fairly young team, but the Bulldogs could do some damage. Tim Sanders is among the best seniors, while Aaron Harward is versatile as a pitcher (7-3) and from the plate (.346).
Other Top 5 vote-getters: San Juan, Beaver, Parowan, Enterprise, Kanab, Millard and North Sevier.
Prep baseball rankings
Class 5A
1. Taylorsville
2. Bingham
3. Skyline
4. Alta
5. Brighton
Class 4A
1. Murray
2. Spanish Fork
3. Mtn. Crest
4. Pl. Grove
5. Weber
Class 3A
1. Uintah
2. Sn. Canyon
3. Cedar City
4. Dixie
5. Emery
Class 2A
1. Grand County
2. Grantsville
3. Manti
4. Juab
5. Gunnison