The significance of the moment was nearly an afterthought.

It struck observers more than those involved.

"I don't think about it that much," Jared Quayle said. "I just go out and play."

The date was Nov. 25 as Utah State's starting five took the court against visiting Weber State, a game in which the Aggies triumphed 75-49. Each USU starter -- Quayle, Tai Wesley, Gary Wilkinson, Tyler Newbold and Jaxon Myaer -- was a home-grown product.

People steeped in the state's basketball tradition were scratching their heads, unable to recall when or if a state school had ever before started five home-grown players in the modern era, say from the 1960s on.

Southern Utah may have come closest, as a few years ago the Thunderbirds started three kids from Cedar City.

"I go way back and I can't remember a situation like that," said USU coach Stew Morrill, a Provo native. "It wasn't by design."

Utah State won three of the four games featuring his all-Utah lineup. Then another Morrill standard took over, one that goes pretty much like this: If you don't play defense, you don't play.

"If someone plays better than someone else, they'll start," said Morrill, who inserted Pooh Williams into the starting lineup in place of Myaer.

Myaer has experienced the typical struggles of a freshman and his minutes have declined. Yet, still there are times when the five Aggies on the court are all Utahns. Overall, there are six Utahns, including Clint Lee, wearing Aggie blue. Skyler Halford, a walk-on from Orem, is a redshirt this season.

"Who says Utah boys can't play ball," Myaer, of Salt Lake City, said. "When we played AAU ball, we didn't get any respect, being from Utah. Now we can say, 'Stick it.'

"I remember in eighth grade watching Tai and Tyler play for the state championship. It seemed like they were so big."

Myaer reminds Wesley that he wanted his autograph.

"Even then I was cocky," Myaer said.

The 5-foot-9 guard isn't the only one. Wesley still reminds Newbold that Provo High defeated Payson for the 2004 state basketball championship. The two players clashed often in high school and developed a mutual dislike.

Those feelings dissipated the moment they each committed to USU before embarking on two-year LDS missions. They are now roommates.

"First off, I don't think he's forgotten about it because I always bring it up," Wesley said. "I'll whisper to him, 'Provo, Payson, 2004, March 4.' I didn't hate him in high school, I hated playing against him. He was a hard-nosed, leave-it-on-the-floor type of guy."

Wilkinson didn't play high school basketball. The 6-foot-9 fiery redhead admittedly had a bad attitude and was cut during sophomore tryouts at Bingham High.

"I would have cut me," he said.

Wilkinson converted to the LDS Church, went on a mission and decided to give basketball another shot, earning honorable mention All-America honors at Salt Lake Community College.

Quayle, who grew up an Aggie fan, led Brigham City's Box Elder to the 2003 championship game, then, following a LDS mission, became a second-team junior college All-American at Western Wyoming.

Fate has led them all to Logan where they either downplay or don't really spend much time thinking about the significance of their situation.

"You never know," Morrill said. "When you're their age, you don't spend a lot of time reflecting on anything. It won't be until they're older, when at some point down the road they'll understand that this is pretty special.

"I know our administration likes it when I give in-state scholarships. It's less money."

martyr@sltrib.com