High school boys basketball: 5A loaded with talented players

In his eight years as Lone Peak's basketball coach, Quincy Lewis has seen the talent in the state go through peaks and valleys. He believes the 2011-12 season is definitely a peak year.

From the perceived Big Three of Lone Peak, West Jordan and American Fork down through middle-of-the-pack teams like Northridge and Riverton, the majority of 5A teams seem to better this year which should make for exciting region races once league play gets underway next Friday.

The conversation certainly begins with the Big Three though.

"I think they're kind of the top tier teams, and then you probably come down a bit," said Davis coach Jay Welk.

Lone Peak, West Jordan and American Fork began the season as the teams to beat in 5A, and December did nothing to change that notion.

Lone Peak is coming off a runner-up finish at the Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach, S.C., finishing with a 3-1 record. Nick Emery set a new four-day tournament scoring record with 119 points, surpassing both Mike Bibby and Kobe Bryant who played in the tournament during their prep careers.

The Knights beat teams from South Carolina, Louisiana and Illinois to get to the championship, and Lewis said it was great to represent the state so well.

"People don't really understand how good the teams, and how good some of the coaches in Utah are, they really don't," said Lewis.

Led by Utah State commits Quincy Bair and Marcel Davis, American Fork is also coming off an impressive out-of-state showing finishing with a 3-1 record at the Visit Mesa Tournament in Arizona.

With an 8-1 record this preseason, coach Doug Meacham has been particularly pleased with the improved strength of his team, something they worked extensively on during the summer.

"Guys are definitely scoring in different places than they were scoring last year, establishing more of a post presence with our bigs and forwards. I think that's where we needed to improve from last year," said Meacham, whose team lost to Lone Peak three times last season, including the 5A championship.

West Jordan is led by Utah commit Jordan Loveridge, who's averaging 22.7 points and 13.6 rebounds this preseason.