Players to Watch:
Bryce Johnson, South Fremont
Christian Gordon, Sugar-Salem
Koy Sanderson, Sugar-Salem
Jarom Heuseveldt, Teton
Thomas Heuseveldt, Teton
Written by: Marlowe Hereford
The always competitive 3A Mountain Rivers Conference is anticipated to be just as intense this season as previous seasons.
Defending district champion Sugar-Salem, which went 12-13 and went two-and-out at the 3A state tournament last season, graduated Toby Pinnock and Ryken Clay. The Diggers do return Koy Sanderson (first team all conference), Christian Gordon (first team all conference), Kelton Garner (second team all conference), Branden Cordova (second team all conference), Porter Holt (all conference honorable mention) and Zac Dougherty (all conference honorable mention).
"I feel we are quick, athletic and shoot well," Sugar-Salem head coach Shawn Freeman said.
"I'm most excited about the team chemistry and energy that we have this year. There are a number of different players who can step up each game."
Freeman added that he hopes for more consistency on both ends of the floor this season.
"We have a team full of guys who work hard and compete, " Freeman said. "Our main focus will be to prepare better and execute assignments."
Freeman said he anticipates Teton to be strong again this season, as the Timberwolves return numerous varsity players. Teton graduated Braxton Hess (first team all conference) but head coach Rob Heuseveldt returns Jarom Heuseveldt (first team all conference), Thomas Heuseveldt (second team all conference), Ty Brown (honorable mention all conference), Davis Wood and Brody Hess from last year's 13-13 team.
"This year we have 10 guys that have the ability to put up 20 points on any given night," coach Heuseveldt said. "We are well-rounded and have a lot of versatile weapons to use."
On that note, Heuseveldt said the Timberwolves are hoping to play unselfishly and have more well-rounded scoring. Defensively, depth will be a strength.
"We have very quick guards and forwards that are backed up by the best shot blocker in our classification," Heuseveldt said. "Also, our depth will wear people out. I have never had a team with this depth. We have 10 young men that would start on most of the teams that we play."
South Fremont, which went 7-16 last season, graduated Mountain Rivers Conference player of the year Kaimen Peebles as well as Mason Siddoway (first team all conference), Bryson Forbush (second team all conference) and Kiefer Stoddard (all conference honorable mention) and has a new head coach in Alex Amini.