Lone Peak is one of the nation's top teams and leads the list in Utah. Don't overlook Orem, Brighton, Riverton and American Fork, though.
Nick Emery and Lone Peak have their eyes on national accolades in addition to the top spot in Utah boys basketball.
Photo by David Argyle
Quincy Lewis
2011-12 record: 22-3, Class 5A state champions
According
to Lewis, this is a season the Knights have been building toward for a
decade. Lone Peak served notice last winter that it can compete on the
national level with wins over Illinois power Whitney Young (Chicago) and
New York dynasty Lincoln (Brooklyn). BYU-bound
Nick Emery (6-foot-1,
Sr., G) is a dangerous scorer, pouring in 29.7 points per game at the
prestigious Beach Ball Classic last December.
Eric Mika (6-8, Sr., F)
and
T.J. Haws (6-3, Jr., G) are both capable of taking over as the No. 1
option if Emery is the focal point of opposing defenses. Mika and Haws
are also both committed to ball for BYU. Glue guy
Talon Shumway (6-3,
Sr., G/F) will play football at BYU but Lewis believes he could just as
easily have a hardwood career at the college level. The program's big
test will come in December at the prestigious City of Palms Classic in
Florida.
See where Lone Peak stacks up in the Preseason Xcellent 25 National Boys Basketball Rankings
2. OremHead coach: Golden Holt
2011-12 record: 25-1, Class 4A state champions
The
defending 4A champs might be entering the season with a bit of a chip
on their shoulders. Lone Peak is receiving much of the preseason glow,
but Orem knocked off the 5A power a year ago and returns five key
contributors and its three top scorers. Leading the way will be seniors
Zach Hunsaker (6-2, G) and
Jordan Darger (6-5, G/F), who both
posted more than 13 points per game in 2011-12. Not far behind is yet another
BYU commitment in post man
Dalton Nixon (6-7, Jr.), who added 12 points
per outing as a sophomore. Coach's kid
Cooper Holt (6-3, Jr., G) and
Quinn Peters (6-2, Jr., G) will also be major contributors.
See our Utah boys basketball photo galleries3. Brighton (Salt Lake City)Head coach: Lyndon Johnson
2011-12 record: 15-8
The
Bengals return a pair of All-State performers, including first team selection
Brandon Miller (6-2, Sr., G). Committed to Utah, Miller pumped in more than 21 points per game as a junior and is a deadly long-distance shooter.
Travis Devashrayee (6-4, Sr., F) is the other All-State honoree after
chipping in 11 points and seven boards per outing in 2011-12. Of the 18
players listed on Brighton's varsity roster a year ago, 15 were junior
or sophomores, so Brighton will be far from a two-man team.
See last season's Utah boys basketball stats leaderboard
4. RivertonHead coach: Steve Galley
2011-12 record: 13-11
Of
Riverton's nine regular contributors a year ago, seven will return this
winter. That contingent includes All-State selection
Stephan Holm (6-3,
Sr., G/F), who pumped in nearly 14 points per game last season. Other
key pieces for the Silverwolves include
Bryce Stone (6-4, Sr., F),
Richard Worsham (6-7, Sr., F),
Nathan Erickson (6-0, Sr., G) and
Tevita Loamanu (6-5, Jr., F). Riverton hopes to build on its surprise run to
the 5A semifinals in 2011-12.
See last season's Utah boys basketball Freeman Rankings5. American ForkHead coach: Doug Meachem
2011-12 record: 19-4
The
Cavemen lost much of their scoring punch from a year ago, but huge
things are expected from 6-9 junior
Ryan Andrus. Already fielding Pac-12
interest, Andrus posted 6.2 points and 4.1 rebounds per game as a
sophomore but should double those numbers this winter. American Fork
also welcomes highly touted freshman
Brendan Bailey, the son of
former Utah Jazz forward Thurl Bailey.
See last season's UHSAA playoff brackets
