Coach Bob Lyman really wasn't sure what would happen with his West boys' basketball team when the season began. With only two returning players from last year's 4A state championship team, relatively no size and a jump to 5A, the outlook was pretty foggy.

Seven games later and the fog is clearing.

Of course, junior Tyrell Corbin, son of Utah Jazz assistant coach Tyrone Corbin, has been spectacular. He is scoring more than 20 points per game and Lyman is managing letters from colleges and visits from coaches.

Utah, BYU and California are all in the hunt for Corbin's talents.

Then there is Tana Afeaki, who returned to the basketball team after taking a year off. He has added some experience and athleticism. Junior Jordan Tanner is scoring 15 points per game and, as expected, is stepping up as a team leader.

But what Lyman could have never predicted is that his team's lack of size could be solved overnight. That's exactly what happened when 6"-foot 8-inch tall Gatete Djuma transferred from Atlanta, and suddenly became the tallest Panther.

"He jumps out of the gym," Lyman said. "He's not real skilled but he gives us some size inside."

Put all of that together and West was 5-2 after beating Woods Cross last Friday. The team's quickness makes a normal man defense look like a press. Corbin and Tanner are scoring threats with developing weapons around them. With so much new talent to make a team out of, it took a little while to figure things out, Lyman said.

"I didn't know who to play," he said. "I didn't know our team really."

After playing East on Tuesday, West gets nearly two weeks off before its next contest against Highland. Meaning, Lyman will have plenty of time to learn how to use his players after watching them in game situations.

Judge

Judge coach Jim Yerkovich has held his current gig for some time. And in his 44 years, he doesn't ever remember starting a season with only one varsity-seasoned player. But that has been his task this season with point guard Zach Myaer. So far, the results have been more positive than not. The team stands at 4-3 with all of its competition coming from either the 4A or 5A ranks. Two losses have been by less than five points and the third was to powerhouse Brighton. Judge trailed 40-34 at one point in the fourth quarter before Brighton rocketed to a 14-point win.

"I've been doing this a long time and I've always tried to have as challenging of schedule as possible," Yerkovich said.

This season that means not playing a single 3A opponent until region play opens Jan. 8 against Morgan. So far, the tough scheduled combined with inexperience has resulted in plenty of turnovers and rough patches.

But with all of the pressure on the coal, some diamonds have formed. One of which is Will Whitt. He's the team's only size, Yerkovich said, but at 6-foot-10, he has plenty of it. He's scoring 16.5 points per game and grabbing more than four rebounds. With Myaer averaging 12 points, two rebounds and two assists per game, its easy to see that he and Whitt are the team's focal points.

"We try to have players play roles," Yerkovich said. "When that's they way you're playing it's not always your leading scorers that are you most important players."

He points to Basil Vetas, one of his best defenders and outside shooters. Then there is Danieal Shiramizu, whose dribble-drive ability can open up the offense. Other players play their roles as well but Whitt's size will really be the challenge for most opponents to overcome this season.

"He is a full 6-10," Yerkovich said. "He needs more weight but that's not going to happen overnight. He's improving by leaps and bounds."