Prep preview 3A Boys Basketball

How they'll finish in 3A District 6

1. Salmon: Salmon's basketball team fields many of the key players who helped take home the 3A football title. At 6-foot-7, Mark Hobbs is a matchup nightmare in the post. Complemented by the physical, 6-2 Nathan Nooner, Salmon has all the inside muscle it needs. A sharp-shooting group of guards led by Trey Infanger make Salmon a balanced and high-scoring group. With the ability to play run-and-gun and a slower half-court game, coach Rick Sessions is blessed with a versatile team in his first year.

2. Sugar-Salem: The returning players know what it's like to fall just short of the state tournament. Last year, the Diggers made it to a state play-in game, only to fall to Buhl by three. "They talk about it frequently," coach Jay Miller said of the loss. "They don't want to be in that situation again." The Diggers return plenty of talent to contend for a state berth. Led by wings Brennan Bean and Kevin Walker and posts Bryden Morris and Jordan Ostermiller, Sugar-Salem looks to run in the open court and work the inside-outside game in the half-court.

3. Shelley: With Tanner Higham running the point and three players 6-4 or taller roving the paint, Shelley has the experience and muscle to get back to the state tournament. The Russets won a game at state last year but failed to repeat after winning the championship in 2006-2007. Wins won't come easily this season in the Mountain Rivers Conference, but after losing one conference game over the past five seasons, coach Dave Hadley and company will do just fine.

4. South Fremont: South Fremont sits at No. 4, but the difference between the Cougars and Salmon, Shelley and Sugar-Salem is negligible. "I wouldn't be surprised to see any of the top four teams win the conference," South Fremont coach Dan McClure said. "It's a tough, tough league." South Fremont is short on experience and height, which could pose a problem when the Cougars face the massive forwards of Shelley and Salmon. But led by senior guard Payden Hathaway, South Fremont can run the floor and shoot the 3.

5. Teton: The path through the Mountain Rivers Conference might be rocky for Teton after losing six seniors to graduation. With Juan Ortiz and Brody Kunz the only returning seniors, and only two juniors returning with varsity experience, Teton will have to grow up fast to finish north of .500. Luckily, Ortiz gives coach Mike Kunz a solid rock to build around. At 6-7, Ortiz gives Teton a threat under the basket as well as a physical force to be reckoned with.