After going through a bit of a rebuilding year last season, the Davis boys basketball team wants to get back to doing what it did so well two seasons ago: dominating. 

Davis was 14-12 last season, including 6-6 in Region 1, tying for fourth place in the six-team league. The 14 wins broke a streak of three consecutive 20-win seasons for the Darts. Davis had a cumulative total of 90 more points than its opponents and lost to Lone Peak in the quarterfinals of the Class 6A state tournament. 

Last year’s team had to replace a strong cast of players that led the 2021–22 squad to a 22-2 overall record and a Region 1 title where they went 11-1. This season, the Darts again have to replace some key players, but they also bring back some important pieces. Three of the top six scorers from a year ago return. Senior forward Zach Fisher scored 12.2 points per game a year ago to lead the team. He’s back and looking to put even bigger numbers, including in the rebounding category where he paced the Darts with 6.2 boards a game. Senior guard Ike Morgan is another player head coach Chad Sims is counting on. He scored 3.5 points per game last season and led the team with 3.9 assists a contest. Junior guard Coleman Atwater scored 10.6 points per game and pulled down 4.1 rebounds in 2022–23. Senior forward Caleb Taylor will likely see more minutes this season after being a reserve a season ago. 

“These four players work hard and have good chemistry and experience,” Sims said.

Sims’ formula for success this season is simple and straightforward. 

“We want to compete in every game,” he said. “We need to come ready to work every day in practice.”

Davis should be a good rebounding team this season, an area where they excelled last season. Sims also expects the team to play solid defense. A year ago, Davis allowed just 54.2 points a contest. 

The Darts tipped off the season at home Nov. 20 against Copper Hills. After 13 non-region games, Davis will begin Region 1 action Jan. 12 at Fremont. Davis will also play a pair of teams from California, Dec. 15 and 16. 

Sims, who enters the season with a 168-54 record in nine years with the team, loves how his team has gotten ready to get underway for the 2023–24 campaign. He also said his players aren’t just talented on the floor but are examples away from the court as well.

“We love how this team has prepared for the upcoming season,” he said. “They are great young men.”