If there were any doubts about whether the 1A state basketball championships would be a wide-open affair, they were seemingly laid to rest last week.
The 1A region championships, held over the weekend, seemed to confirm that there won't be any heavy favorites when the tournament commences at Southern Utah today.
While the 1A coaches all differed in their opinions about how many teams legitimately have a chance to hoist the championship trophy, all of them seemed to think that there are at least four teams that could walk away with the title.
"The region tournaments went so strangely," said Dugway coach George Bruce. " . . . There's just too much parody on top (to predict a favorite)."
Rich coach Ashley Brown, who brings the No. 1-seed from the classification's best region, agreed.
"I think there are seven or eight teams that could win," said the Region 16 coach. "Usually there are one or two teams that stick out."
Nowhere was the craziness of the region tournaments more evident than in Region 16, the deepest league in the 1A classification. In a region that featured Manila (the defending 1A champion), Duchesne and Tabiona, it came as a surprise to some that Rich eventually claimed the region crown.
Rich will play St. Joseph, the No. 4-seed from Region 17. Should they advance, the Rebels would play the winner of West Desert-Piute on Friday
"We knew our region would be good," said Brown, "but we also had four returning starters."
Dustin Kennedy and Chez Avila led the Rebels offensively.
In Region 17, Waterford's season seemed to be at a crossroads after an unconvincing 50-39 loss to Layton Christian last month. The Ravens, however, have responded to the defeat by winning nine straight games.
"That served as a real wake-up call for us," said Waterford coach Reid Monson.
Waterford's senior guard line of Cliff Snyder and Kevin Pelo has paced the Ravens' attack.
Waterford will open the 2005 1A Tournament against Manila, the defending 1A champions.
Monson said that his team will be wary of the Mustangs and the three other Region 16 teams.
"(Region 16) had a blood-letting experience," said Monson. "They are very good."
Dugway represents Region 18 as the No. 1 seed but also faces a difficult draw and will play Valley, a team that led Region 15 during stretches of the regular season.
"If we let down on defense, we'll struggle," said Dugway coach George Bruce, "but the key will be our shooters."
The Mustangs are led by senior guard Dane Schofield, one of the classification's best athletes. Schofield was the state's leading scorer during the regular season, averaging 24.3 points per game.
E-mail: drasmussen@desnews.com