In Region 1, Davis appears to be the runaway favorite. Not only were the Darts picked No. 1 in the coaches preseason region poll, but they've backed it up with a 7-1 preseason record.

Davis is led by poised point guard Stratton McCausland and leading scorers Nick Martineau and Brady Hurst.

After the Darts, Region 1 is a cluster of parity, and it may continue all the way to the preseason. Northridge (3-4), which is led by 5A leading scorer Andrew Jordan, may ultimately be the team most qualified to challenge Davis.

In Region 2, Alta (7-2) was the runaway favorite according to the coaches with its four returning starters, and tremendous athleticism and size. The same coaches projected Brighton, Jordan and Skyline to give the Hawks the biggest challenge, but a new contender has emerged.

Hillcrest, which finished 10-12 last year, has enjoyed a sizzling preseason with a 7-1 record, with its only loss coming to Riverton in the season opener. If coach Brad Tingey's team continues getting balanced scoring and playing outstanding defense, the Huskies should be a real threat in Region 2.

In the Utah County region, the race for the title should be wide-open.

All six teams are making the jump from 4A this year, including defending 4A champ Lone Peak (5-3). The championship trophy was probably why every Region 4 coach projected the Knights as the team to beat.

Most of the coaches differed, however, about how the teams would finish after that, and the preseason only added to the confusion instead of helping it.

Spanish Fork is 7-1, but hasn't really been tested yet. Mountain View has a great win over Orem, and a really bad loss at Murray. American Fork has impressive wins over Bingham and Alta, but also lost to Provo by 20 points in another game.

One of these teams should eventually emerge from the pack to compete with Lone Peak for the Region 4 title.

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Coaches Region Straw Polls

Note: Record shown is current 2005-2006 record.

Region 1

1. Davis 7-1

2. Northridge 3-4

3. Clearfield 2-5

4. Fremont 4-4

5. Layton 0-8

6. Viewmont 2-5

7. Weber 2-5

Region 2

1. Alta 7-2

2. Brighton 4-2

3. Jordan 4-5

4. Skyline 3-4

5. Hillcrest 7-1

6. Taylorsville 4-3

Region 3

1. Bingham 5-3

2. West Jordan 4-4

3. Riverton 8-0

4. Copper Hills 4-3

5. Kearns 3-4

6. Hunter 0-6

Region 4

1. Lone Peak 5-3

2. Pleasant Grove 3-5

3. Mtn. View 4-4

3. American Fork 4-4

5. Spanish Fork 7-1

6. Timpanogos 0-6

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E-mail: jedward@desnews.com