Reflecting on '08 Hoops, Looking ahead to '09

Every year about this time as us sports writers tally up all-state votes from the state’s basketball coaches, we inevitably start reflecting on the past season. Similar to coaches, players, parents and students, we feel a connection to the season that was and its impact on our memory.

Even though watching nearly 50 state tournament basketball games does lend itself to a little burnout, it’s why we love our jobs. Those 50 games inevitably make or break our memory on the season, and it will be hard for future years to top what Davis and Lone Peak provided last Friday afternoon. We had No. 1 vs. No. 2 go into double overtime, with numerous other story lines intertwined. For me, it ranked right up there with Riverton vs. Bingham at the E Center in 2006 and Morgan vs. Wasatch at the E Center in 2005.

Looking ahead to the 2008-2009 season, what teams will provide fans the greatest memories? We know Lone Peak and Pleasant Grove will be good with Tyler Haws and CJ Wilcox back. We also know Provo and Timpview will be in the mix with Kyle Collinsworth and Bronson Kaufusi returning. In 3A, Judge has point guard Stallon Saldivar back, so the Bulldogs will surely be one of 3A’s top teams. What other players and teams do we need to put on our radar?