There's no championship letdown in West Jordan. The defending Class 5A state champions have shown as much after a 2-2 start to the season. Since then, the Jaguars have rallied to improve their record to 8-4 heading into a pivotal stretch of Region 3 games featuring contests at home against Copper Hills and Bingham, followed by road games at Riverton and Kearns in the next two weeks.

"This is when we learn what we are really made of," said coach Scott Briggs, "In such a loaded region, it makes every game that much more important."

On Jan. 5, West Jordan played Class 4A's No. 1 team Olympus and fell to the Titans 66-56. The Jags trailed in the third quarter 50-30, but fought their way back to make it a game in the fourth, a sign of resiliency and toughness all playoff teams have to exhibit.

"We could have gave up against Olympus but we didn't and I think that speaks volumes about this team's makeup." Said Briggs. "Yes we're young, but we're getting much needed game experience every week, and the young guys have responded well."

West Jordan played tough, but the Titans' experience was evident throughout the night. With three seniors leading the way for Olympus, it reminded Briggs of his 5A title-winning team from last year, when the senior trio of Jordan Weirick, Mason Sawyer and Ray Gallegos cut down the nets at the E-Center.

In their place this year has been the two Jordans, Loveridge and Pryor. Prior to the Olympus loss, the Jaguars had won three in a row, and five of their last six, with the sophomores who share the same surname being the catalysts for West Jordan's rapid reload.

The 6-foot-6 Loveridge has been a beast in the paint all year, and had a season-high 18 points against Murray in the Jags' 65-61 victory on Dec. 29.

"To see where Loveridge is at as sophomore is very encouraging," Said Briggs, "He's young, has size and is talented and has all the tools to be a special player, but he's going to have to earn it in Region play."

Region 3 play involves dealing with Utah State-bound center Ben Clifford of Bingham, Riverton's 6-5 Matt Hess and Steven Larson of Copper Hills, who at 6-foot-6 matches Loveridge's height while having more weight to throw around than the younger Loveridge does.

If he's nervous, Loveridge doesn't show it.

"I feel like we're ready as a team to compete, there's no rebuilding out here," Loveridge said.

As good as Loveridge has been, Pryor is matching him stride for stride. Pryor is attempting to fill the shoes of departed shooting guard Gallegos, who is averaging about 16 minutes a game for the University of Nebraska.

So far, the shoes have fit. Last year Gallegos averaged 16 points per game for the Jags. Pryor is averaging 10 per contest on the year, but in his last four games he has upped his output to 14 points a game.

"Pryor does a lot of the little things that make his team go,"Briggs said. "If he can continue to score like he has lately, I like our chances."

Pryor has been hot behind the threee-point arc, as evidenced by his 21 three-point shots made. If he can continue to be the scorer Gallegos was, coupled with Loveridge's continued improvement, look for the Jaguars to make another deep postseason run this season.