For the majority of basketball teams across the state, the week of tryouts is one of the most nerve-wracking of the season.

For the Waterford boys' basketball team, the process is a bit simpler.

Sixteen players showed up for team tryouts last week. No one was cut.

"Once they all arrived I said, 'Congrats, you made the team,' " said Waterford coach Reid Monson. "Our tryouts were also the first day of practice."

The Ravens have always fronted a small group of players. In recent years, it hasn't meant they are any less competitive.

Last season, the Ravens took Class 3A by storm, cruising to a 16-4 regular season record, with the high point of a nail-biting regular season victory over top-ranked Judge Memorial.

Waterford has moved down to Class 2A this season, which means the Ravens are again expected to be at the top of their league. The loss of four starters will present a new set of challenges.

"It's a challenge to reintroduce yourself to a whole new classification," said Monson. "But the best teams in the 2A world would compete with the best in 3A. We expect our new class will give us everything we wanted."

Maybe even a state title. With leading scorer Neal Monson at the helm, it's a possibility -- even despite their modest numbers. During the offseason, Monson, last year's 3A leading scorer, gained another inch in height and now stands at a towering 6-foot-11. He also recently signed to play at the University of Utah.

"He's going to be a beast if we can keep him healthy," said coach Monson. "He worked really hard getting ready for this season."

The Ravens will kick off the 2009-2010 season Nov. 24 at Altamont.

Brighton boys' basketball

Last season, the Bengals had all the makings of a state championship caliber team.

That was before junior and leading scorer Corbin Miller suffered a season-ending shin fracture following the regular season opener.

Luckily, the Bengals also had youth. On most nights, coach Lyndon Johnson had only underclassmen on the floor. As a result, Brighton now has a roster stacked with seniors like Sam Wunderli, Moses Lotulelei, Xan Ricketts and junior Derek Newell, fresh off a successful campaign as the Brighton football team's quarterback.

No doubt, Miller's loss was a blow to the Bengals last season. But even without him, they carried on to a 12-9 record and a No. 3 seed from their stacked region before hitting a roadblock in Lehi in the first round of the state tournament. Now, with all but three seniors back, Johnson expects to easily eclipse that mark -- that is, if they can dodge the injury bug.

"[Corbin] is at full speed now. His shins are better and he's ready to go," said Johnson. "With him back, we really have a chance at things."

But in a region as tough as the newly realigned Region 4, the Bengals expect to have their work cut out for them.

"There won't be a night that we can show up and not play as well as we need to do, "said Johnson.