That's because Beard will return for his second year at Layton Christian Academy. Instead, for his senior year, he will look forward to returning to the close-knit community that is LCA and being more of a leader on the basketball team.

"Last year, I was timid," Beard said. "I was passive because I was a young guy there. This year, I found my place. I fit in more with the guys and it won't be like last year."

Beard started out his high school career going to St. Francis, a private school in Pasadena, Calif. He moved to Utah after that and attended Bonneville his sophomore year. His father wanted him to attend another private school and both decided on Layton Christian.

Beard has had to adjust to some changes, the biggest one being the different style of basketball in California and Utah. There is a shot clock in California, speeding up the pace of a game that features incredible athleticism. In Utah, the game is slower but the shooters are better.

"In California, the schools are bigger and there is more talent," Beard said. "But, basketball is basketball wherever you go."

Beard will be a vital part of the Eagles next season. The 6-foot-2 athlete can play point guard or forward. He can get to the basket at will but can also rebound the ball. He averaged 7.6 points and was the fourth-leading scorer on a very offensively balanced team.

"He came over and made a big impact in us finishing second in our region in sixth in state," LCA coach Bobby Porter said. "He doesn't get too high or too low. He's the same on and off the court."

Beard has also found his place off the court. He sometimes tutored some his teammates and tutored some of the younger kids at LCA. He is also a regular volunteer at his church.

"He's a quiet young man and just does his business," Porter said. "He just lets his actions speak for him."

Now that he is comfortable with his surroundings, he can focus all his energy on his role on the basketball team.

"I want to be more of a leader than anything," Beard said. "We are going to have a really, really good team. We have six guys who can score and we have Coach Porter, an all-world coach. We have a lot of athletes and I think we can compete for a state title."

mthach@sltrib.com

This is the place

* For the first time in his high school career, Will Beard is returning for a second year at a school.

* Beard, a senior, is a boys' basketball player for Layton Christian Academy.