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Show Area foams have best shots at titles I - v. - V.V I I 1 S -: W 1 "J l f;' K r Vfi h r f "; 1 p it - M itMH'fif . y :in i -rMilMt K J Mill l - i , I 0 - I i Vikes, Darts will vie for Region 1 By G.BRETT HART Sports Editor As the dust settles from a hectic preseason boys' basketball schedule, the Davis High Darts and View-mont View-mont Vikings appear to be top contenders for a Region One title. Of course, after Viewmont's stunning overtime victory vic-tory against the Darts, you've got to give a slight edge to the Vikes, at least for the time being. Both teams, rested and ready, will begin a whirlwind race toward the Region One title and state tournament in February. Boys' B-ball The race for Region 1 DAVIS DARTS, 6-2 First-year coach Jay Welk burst on the scene this season leading the Darts to a 6-0 record and a number four ranking in most of the state preseason polls. Davis finalfy fell to the Highland Rams on Dec. 18. Ironically, it was the Darts who earned a fifth place state finish last year at the expense of the Rams. As if the loss to Highland weren't bad enough, the Darts watched the Viewmont Vikings slip past them to a 10-point win in OT Friday, adding number six to the Vikes' own consecutive win streak. But don't count the Darts out just yet. Davis wields a varied and lethal arsenal featuring some of Region One's top talent. y Bret Barton, 6-3 power forward, and Travis Homer, 6-1 off guard, have led the Darts throughout preseason action. Barton is deadly both on the boards and from the perimeter and has led the Darts with just under 20 points per game. Combined with Homer's ability to hit from outside and drive up the middle, the Darts have a championship team in the making. Seniors Todd Heath, 5-10 point guard, and Matt Peterson, 6-3 power forward, have also been major contributors con-tributors to the Darts' success. Junior center Dave Isacson, 6-6, anchors the middle and has been a fair point producer. However, the key to continued Davis success oddly enough, awaits playing time on the Dart bench. Davis has successfully played nine deep throughout its first eight games. To get back on the winning track, the Kaysville team will need to rely on Ryan Hovey and Clark Fin Jm son to help carry the momentum in Barton and Homer's absence. Both have given solid performances perfor-mances throughout the preseason. Braves, 'Cats will battle for region By G. BRETT HART Sports Editor At first glance, Region Six didn't seem to offer much in the way of a state 3A contender, but Woods Cross and Bountiful high schools politely opined differently. While the Wildcats jumped into the limelight beating Olympus and Roy and threatening to dominate Region Six, the Braves struggled to get ready for the region race to begin. WOODS CROSS WILDCATS, 2-7 On paper the 'Cats look as ominous as any team around. Woods Cross features size, speed and accuracy from the outside. Boys' B-ball The race for Region 6 In Jon Wickizer, Brian Tayler and Garrett Atkin, the 'Cats boast some of Region Six's top big men. From the outside, Wildcat Mike Gurr, though sporadic and streaky, is usually a threat from the perimeter. With its talented lineup, Woods Cross should be one of the state's top 3A teams. Unfortunately, what the 'Cats don't feature is consistency both in snooting and rebounding. In its first two region bouts, Woods Cross was pounded by both Murray and Jordan. The Spartans kept the Wildcats off the boards while the Beetdiggers kept the 'Cats' inside men off the scoreboard. If Woods Cross can resolve the "inside' dilemma, they should contend with Bountiful for a region title. Otherwise, the 'Cats are in for a long season. Woods Cross returns to home-court action Friday in a holiday bout with the Layton Lancers at 7:30 p.m. The Wildcats then face two region match-ups on the road at Judge and Granite. If Woods Cross can slow down, work their offense and control the boards, they will sail past both the Bulldogs and the Farmers. BOUNTIFUL BRAVES, 2-8 The Braves returned from a 6th place finish in last year's 3A state tournament to get off to a slow start in 1990. However, Bountiful s 2-8 preseason record is deceiving deceiv-ing and an example of the effect an extended football season can have on a young basketball team especially when three of your b-ball starters doubled as all-regionstate football players. Aaron Roderick, Austin Lindsey and Chris Godfrey each anchored the Braves state-championship football team and have returned to do the same for the Bountiful hoopsters. Roderick and Lindsey make up the Braves' run-and-gun guard attack while Godfrey, John Peterson and Tony Jones alternate underneath. The Braves are 1-1 in Region, losing to Jordan on the road and whipping Judge at home. In some respects, all Bountiful basketball has lacked this season was a little experience and time to learn to play as a team. Now that the Braves have had time to work together, the future looks bright. With consistent play from John Peterson and Tony Jones, Bountiful should contend for a Region Six title. The Braves finished their pre-hokday games with a loss to Highland. Bountiful returns to action with two home games. On Jan. 4, the Braves will play host to the Granite Farmers. On Jan. 8, the West High Panthers will enter Bountiful' s field house. Wins against both Region Six foes are crucial not only because they are region games, but because the Braves need to build confidence in their abilities. Look for the first week in January to be a turning point for Bountiful. Bountiful's John Peterson (left) battles for a rebound against Viewmont's Steve Edgley in early preseason action. Both big men are keys to their team's success throughout the rest of the season. (Clipper photo by G. Brett Hart) VIEWMONT VIKINGS, 7-2 After a tough 5-14 finish last year, the Vikings had something to prove this season simply, that the region's (and perhaps the state's) best basketball was piayed at Viewmont High. The Vikes struggled in its first outings, losing to Skyview and American Fork. However, as the young team gained confidence, it left a growing wake of vanquished van-quished foes including the much-heralded Davis Darts and Woods Cross Wildcats. Viewmont's strength lies in its varied attack and depth. dep-th. Six-foot-5 center Steve Edgley anchors the middle while Jon Robison, Andy Jensen and Brad Bodily's rotation at the forward and swing positions completes a wall that can shut down just about anyone's inside game. Tyler Gledhill and Jason Hynek add potency to the Vikes' outside attack, completing the well-balanced package. What the Vikings do particularly well is vary their inside look. One moment opponents face a driving Robison who can handle the ball exceptionally well going go-ing to the hoop, and the next they'll face Jensen or Bodily who specializes in rejections and boards. Since losing to American Fork on Dec. 4, the Vikings Vik-ings have been unbeatable, winning six straight The importance of these wins cannot be underplayed for one important reason. Viewmont struggled in its first games due to a lack of confidence as much as anything. Physically, the Vikes play as rough a game as any team around, but mentally Viewmont didn't have the edge to get back in the game once the Vikings were down. However, with the wins, Viewmont has become a cool, calculated team that can erase a deficit and get back into the hunt. The Vikes were able to come from behind against Davis and blow the Darts out in overtime. over-time. This is the mark of a steady, mentally tough team. Overall the Vikes are south Davis' most solid package to date. D ' p J':r Wildcat Mih i ' for Woods i key role in t inq the Woe I y- ? " 1 I 7 : .j. I I I" Wildcat Mike Gurr, though sporadic, has been a steady threat for Woods Cross from beyond the 3-point line. Gurr will play a key role in the Cats' success through steady shooting and running runn-ing the Woods Cross offense. (Clipper photo by G. Brett Hart) Davis' Bret Barton has been a dominating force scoring just under 20 points per game. Barton will be a key to continued Dart success in region. (Clipper photo by G. Brett Hart) |