One year ago, the West Jordan boys' basketball team was about to embark on a magical playoff run that culminated at the E-Center, with an upset over the Tyler Haws-led Lone Peak Knights in the Class 5A title game.

This year, West Jordan (14-7, 7-3) is coming into the 5A tournament as an underdog again, only this time the gteam is led by a sophomore center instead of three senior guards.

"We're certainly a different team this year," said coach Scotty Briggs. "Last year we had so many seniors that had been through the battles. This year, we have the talent; we just don't have the same experience yet."

Last year, the Jaguars could throw out a starting lineup of Mason Sawyer, Rey Gallegos, Jordan Weirick, Tyson Udy and DJ Tialavea. All were seniors, playing the trials of region play and state tournaments.

Sawyer, Gallegos and Weirick all averaged over double figures in scoring and accepted scholarships to Division I schools, with Gallegos at Nebraska, Sawyer at Boise State and Weirick at Southern Utah.

That group won a region championship before going on to win the state title. Gallegos caught fire in the title game, outplaying Haws and scoring a game-high 22 points. Those seniors ended their career with the Jags by cutting down the E-center nets.

This year Briggs has a vastly different lineup to trot out. His leading scorer is sophomore center Jordan Loveridge. The 6-foot-6 big man finished the year averaging 12.5 points per game, and led the Jags in rebounding and blocks.

"[Loveridge] has all the skills you want in a big man. Good hands, good footwork, quick on his feet" said Briggs. "If he stays out of foul trouble, he's usually good for a double-double."

Another sophomore, guard Jordan Pryor is averaging 9.2 points per game and has a team-leading 34 three-pointers. Point guard Andre Ashton leads the team in assists and steals, and provides steady senior leadership.

The Jaguars finished the season by winning four out of their last five games, locking up the second seed from Region 3 and giving themselves a home game in the first round against a very good Pleasant Grove squad Tuesday night.

Pleasant Grove is the third seed from Region 4, the most competitive region in the state, which includes Lone Peak, Alta, Brighton and Jordan, in addition to the Vikings.

Pleasant Grove was far from an ideal opening opponent for the Jaguars. Pleasant Grove has beaten teams like Lone Peak and Jordan this year, but was decimated against Brighton 81-34 in the regular season finale.

The Jags were uncertain which Viking team will show up -- the one that played Lone Peak well or the one that got destroyed by Brighton. For that matter, the Jags didn't know exactly which Jaguar team would show up.

That's the problem with underclassmen. For this group of West Jordan players, Tuesday's game against Pleasant Grove was their first extended amount of playoff minutes. But the Jags were eager to show they are ready, and want to defend their title as best as they can.

"It's the playoffs," said Loveridge, "Anything can happen once you're in."