Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Rockland
2. North Gem
3. Watersprings
4. Grace Lutheran
5. Mackay
6. Sho-Ban
7. Leadore
8. Clark County
Players to Watch
Ben Hess, Grace Lutheran
Bridger Hatch, North Gem
Teague Matthews, Rockland
Daniel Canfield, Watersprings
Written by: Brandon Baney
Last year's Rocky Mountain Conference race was similar to a heavyweight fight. North Gem, Watersprings and Rockland duked it out all season long, in a league that only received two bids to state.
North Gem (23-3) and Rockland (21-7) ultimately earned those two bids, while Watersprings (20-4) was left home. Those three figure to battle again for league supremacy in 2021-22.
North Gem was hit hard by graduation losses, as Logan Corta and James Bodily, two of the most decorated athletes in school history, both left via graduation. Bridger Hatch is another highly decorated athlete for the Cowboys, and he returns for his senior season. If the supporting cast develops, coach Tracey Corta's team could find themselves back at state.
Rockland coach Shae Neal, for one, believes that North Gem will be tough again. "They lost a lot of stud athletes last year, but year in and year out they bring the competitiveness and grit that allows them to surprise people," says Neal. "You can't ever count them out."
As for Neal and the Bulldogs, a third place finish at state last year has propelled Rockland through the offseason. "The program is starting to be set. The boys have bought in and understand what it takes," says Neal.
Braden Permann averaged more than 20 points per game, but graduated during the offseason. No one player will replace his production. Instead, Teague Matthews, Brigham Permann, Wes Matthews, J.T. Parrish and Brandon Neal will all elevate their scoring to fill in the cracks.
Watersprings returns the best overall player in junior guard Daniel Canfield, a 1st Team All-Conference selection. The other Canfield from last year's team, Robert Canfield, graduated. "He did it all for us," says head coach Scott Moe. Junior Jrew Plocher and sophomores Jackson Aldinger and Elvin Lin will be expected to help replace some of Canfield's production.
Grace Lutheran is the only team in the conference that didn't lose a single player from a year ago. In fact, last year's squad featured only one junior. Guards Ben Hess and Antonio Rodriguez, and center Dean Thiros all saw playing time a year ago as sophomores, and will lead the team this year as juniors.
"Our young kids competed hard last year, but our inexperience against top competition hurt us late into games," head coach Jeremy Hess says. "We should have the depth and experience to compete for entire games this year."
Mackay is an intriguing team. They return almost an entirely new roster, and an entirely new coaching staff. Head coach Scott Yearsley says, "I've never coached before, but I have 23 years of officiating experience."
As of press time, Sho-Ban hadn't officially named a new coach for this year's team. The Chiefs also have great turnout, though, and the athletes to compete with the top teams in the league.
Leadore went 6-8 in league and 9-10 overall a year ago, but lost several seniors to graduation. Clark County went 0-19 a year ago, and will be led by second year head coach Wyatt Kinghorn.