High school boys basketball: Region 7 preview

Region play gets underway for most regions in Utah in the first week of January, and here's at look at Region 7. Projections were based on preseason coaches votes.

1. Provo Bulldogs

Coach: Craig Drury

2007-2008 record: 22-3

2008-2009 record thus far: 9-0

Returning starters: Two

Key players: Brandon Davies, Kyle Collinsworth, Beau Hunter, Tanner Austin

Region opener: vs. Payson, Friday, Jan. 9

Outlook: This team is scary good this year. With wins over Lone Peak, Pleasant Grove and Lehi already, the Bulldogs have established themselves as the best team in Utah regardless of classification. Big man Brandon Davies has already signed with BYU, and 6-foot-6 point guard Kyle Collinsworth is the best junior coach Drury has ever seen in the state of Utah. With eight state championships to his credit, Drury has obviously been around a while to witness some of the state's greats. Region 7 is pretty good this year, and no doubt Provo will get tested, but the potential is there for this team to run the tables on a perfect season.

2. Timpview T-Birds

Coach: Perry Wildeboer

2007-2008 record: 16-8

2008-2009 record thus far: 5-4

Returning starters: Two

Key players: Tanner Brockbank, Eli Robison, Lincoln Selk, Bronson Kaufusi

Region opener: at Mountain View, Friday, Jan. 9.

Outlook: With a handful of contributors back from last year's semifinal team, expectations are high for the T-Birds this year. Over the weekend Timpview got a major boost when Bronson Kaufusi played in his first game since injuring his knee in the high school football semifinals. This past Friday he scored 17 points in his first game back in a 54-51 loss to Mountain Crest. His presence inside can only help Timpview heading into league. His presence should also take the pressure off everyone else around him.

3. Orem Tigers

Coach: Michael O'Connor

2007-2008 record: 10-11

2008-2009 record thus far: 8-0

Returning starters: Two

Key players: Ian Harward, Jordan Egbert, Jake Green, Austin Tuttle

Region opener: vs. Tooele, Friday, Jan. 9.

Outlook: First-year coach O'Connor went into the season believing he had a balanced team that could ultimately score a lot of different ways. An undefeated start to the season has reiterated his beliefs. For a team that missed the playoffs last year, that doesn't look like that will be the case again this year. Jordan Egbert, an all-state football player, leads the team in scoring, whereas 6-foot-10 BYU signee Ian Harward is enjoying a fantastic season as well. As impressive as Orem's 8-0 start is, not one of the victories has come against a team ranked in the top 20. The Tigers' first true tests probably won't come until they face region foes Timpview and Provo.