This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The last time the Woods Cross Wildcats were crowned boys' basketball state champions was way back in 1983. Ronald Reagan was President of the United States, Michael Jackson had just released "Thriller," and the Philadelphia 76ers were NBA champs.

Since that championship run in '83, Woods Cross has had the ups and downs that many high school programs go through. In more recent years, there have been more downs than ups, as the Wildcats struggled to make any significant noise in the state tournament.

But last season, after failing to qualify for the state playoffs the previous two years, Woods Cross enjoyed a 20-5 overall record and made it all the way to the Class 4A semifinals before falling to eventual champion Olympus. The big reason behind the rapid turnaround is 6-foot-5 shooting guard Trevin Knell, a player who wants to end Woods Cross' long championship drought in his final high school season before he begins his collegiate career at Cal-Berkeley.

"Our expectation is to first win region," Knell said. "But the main goal since we were elementary school kids is to win a state title. We're definitely going to be chasing that this year."

Knell, a three-star recruit per ESPN, said that the philosophies and expectations at Woods Cross have changed dramatically since he first began playing there.

"I think when I started, we had the mentality that we should just score more points than the other team. We didn't really focus on defense so much," Knell said. "Coach [Kasey] Walkenhurst and the other coaches have really helped and stuck in our minds that we have to make defense a priority. It's not just a choice, it's an expectation that we have to maintain. We have to prove that throughout the season."

When Walkenhurst took over, there were initially some barren years in terms of success for the program. But the introduction of Knell and the rest of the 2017 senior class to the program brought the success that Walkenhurst had envisioned early on.

"I was a new coach to this school five years ago, and I brought in a system that the kids were not used to," Walkenhurst said. "These kids were seventh- and eighth-graders when I came in, and ever since they came to the high school they've bought into the system. They learned what we like to do at the varsity level, and year to year they have figured out what works."

Walkenhurst said he hasn't seen anyone try harder to figure out what works than Knell.

"He is in the gym for hours every single day, and he's been going to personal training to get stronger," Walkenhurst said about his senior shooting guard. "I haven't coached many kids that have put in the hours that he has on a daily basis. He's sacrificed things that other guys aren't willing to sacrifice. I'm glad that it's really starting to pay off for him."

Knell said that he credits the elite basketball camps and AAU competition for giving him the drive to become one of the best shooters in the state.

"Once I saw all these kids come from across the country and play in these showcase games I realized, 'Holy cow, I'm nowhere near where I could be.' " Knell said. "From then on, me and my mom would wake up at five in the morning so that I could get some shots up, then I'd stay after practice. I always try to be the last guy in the gym."

Knell's work ethic and skills have gotten him noticed by nearly everyone in the know about Utah high school basketball. But now, the whole Woods Cross squad has been put on notice after last year's campaign. They're not going to sneak up on anybody this year, and that's just the way Knell wants it.

"Something that coach Walkenhurst always says is, 'Now we have a target on our backs.' " Knell said. "We're going to get everybody's best — it doesn't matter who we're playing. We have to be ready to play whether it's a 3A school, 4A school or 5A school. As a team, we have the mentality to always play with a chip on our shoulder." —

Classification previews

Class 5A • Defending champ Bingham is the favorite to repeat in 2016 with senior guards Lleyton Parker and Dason Youngblood back. However, Lone Peak should never be counted out, as the Knights return three starters from last year's 21-5 team, including senior forward Nate Harkness. Davis will be looking to reclaim the throne in Region 2 with several returning seniors, while Luke White and Sky View hope to claim the top spot in a wide-open Region 1.

Class 4A • Olympus returns two starters from last year's team that claimed the school's first state basketball title, but the big story for the Titans is sophomore transfer Rylan Jones, who averaged 19.7 points per game last season at Logan. Senior guard and Cal commit Trevin Knell seeks to get Woods Cross to the top of Region 5, while Springville looks to be the favorite in Region 8 with all five of its top scorers returning from last season. Timpview and Corner Canyon will duke it out for the Region 7 crown.

Class 3A • Dixie also returns two starters from last year's title-winning team, but the majority of teams from Region 9 look to be vastly improved, including Cedar, which returns all five starters from last season. Region 11 looks like it could be a toss-up with several quality teams, including newcomer Ridgline, who will be led by Utah commit Jaxon Brenchley. Canyon View will try to stay atop Region 12 while Union, Grantsville and Tooele battle for Region 10.

Class 2A • Defending champ Summit Academy looks to remain the class of Region 16, but last year's runner-up, Layton Christian Academy, will be gunning for them from Region 14. Emery is also a contender with three starters returning from their Region 15 title team last season, while Beaver and Delta look to be the favorites in Region 13. (Note: The best team in 2A — and possibly the state — would be Wasatch Academy, but the Tigers are playing as an independent again. They have already gotten off to a 4-1 start in the Chaminade tournament in California and are led by Emanuel Akot, who holds offers from Utah, Arizona, Oregon and Louisville.)

Class 1A • Panguitch looks to be the favorite in Region 20, with defending state champ Diamond Ranch in the process of another rebuild. The Bobcats return starters Trey Barney and Jace Eyre, who both averaged 15 points per game last season. Rich will also be a strong contender from Region 17 with two returning starters in Nick Jarman and Payson Willis. Monticello will look to stay atop Region 19, while St. Joseph attempts to stave off Merit Academy and Tintic in Region 18.