3A high school boys basketball preview: Several teams take aim at Wasps

Editor's note: The 4A basketball preview will be in Sunday's Deseret News.

The graduation of last year's 3A MVP and several other key players had many wondering if Wasatch had enough depth this year to repeat as 3A state champions. The Wasps have answered that question with an emphatic "yes."

With most of the state diving into region play this week, all eyes in Class 3A are once again directed at Wasatch.

The Wasps are 10-1 this preseason with quality wins over Judge, Timpview, Salem Hills and Juan Diego. Their lone loss was a season-opening setback to Lehi, but it fueled a 10-game winning streak.

"We were disappointed after the Lehi loss, but it's a group of young men who don't panic. We have confidence in what we can and can't do," said Wasatch coach Norm Hayter.

With three returning starters from last year's 24-win team, Wasatch is an experienced team that knows how to win games — and continues to do so with no end in sight.

"We try and make our preseason schedule as tough as possible because I feel like that's how we're going to get better, and hopefully that will get us ready for region," said Hayter.

Most coaches believe there are six or seven teams capable of knocking Wasatch off the 3A pedestal, but that's no guarantee anyone will.

"Until a 3A team beats Wasatch they're the team to beat," said Park City coach Caleb Fine. "They have in my opinion the best player in 3A in Mike Brown, and McKay Murdock is a very solid point guard. He's as good as it gets."

Brown leads the Wasps with 18.8 ppg, while Murdock chips in with 13.8 points. Mike Pelo is also averaging double figures at 10.3 points.

Fine hopes his team is one capable of competing with Wasatch. Park City is 7-3 this preseason, but two of those losses came to other projected 3A contenders Morgan and Cedar.

"I've got some kids who can really compete. I'm excited to see what happens when we get in the 3A season. I think we have a chance to compete if we continue to get better. We're still young. I'm starting four juniors," said Fine.

With two Region 10 games against Wasatch upcoming, the Miners will soon get a first-hand glimpse at how they measure up to 3A's best.