How do you replace a 6-foot-7 center who averages more than 20 points per gamefi

That is the question Payson Lions coach Dan Lunt will have to answer going into this season. Even with Seth Lovell, the Lions didn't make it out of Region 7 and into the state tournament last season.

But it is rare for Lunt to have two down years in a row, so expecting a big turnaround from last year's 7-14 team isn't out of the question.

Lunt sees the potential in this year's team.

"This year's team is working hard and making progress," Lunt said in an e-mail. "We have four or five players that got varsity time last year and a great group of young players."

To fill that gaping hole in the middle left by Lovell, Payson will have 6-7 Justin Wolf and 6-6 Jacob Tipton, who averaged 3.8 points per game last year.

If Tipton and Wolf can't get the job done, Ryan Reid, Seth Muhlestein, Tage Wilcock, Kyle Shuler, Taylor Wright, Michael Lunt and Steven Clark will look to play important roles.

Lunt doesn't expect any one of his players to be the hero.

"This year's team will have to truly play as a team," Lunt said. "We don't have any great players, but we have a great group of good players."

Lunt is not looking ahead to any of the big Region 7 matchups on his schedule. He is not looking forward to facing any of the non-region foes like Timpanogos, American Fork or Pleasant Grove. He is not looking forward at all.

"Each game is important," Lunt said. "The most important thing I am looking for is that we get better each game."

So, what is the difference between this year's squad and last year'sfi

"I feel this year's team has more depth and they are committed to getting better," Lunt said.

PAYSON BOYS BASKETBALL

• Head coach: Dan Lunt

• 2007-08 record: 7-14, 5-7 Region 7

• Postseason: None

• Key losses: Seth Lovell 6-7 C (20.74), Jake Hiatt 5-11 G (7.58), Jeff DeGraffenried 6-5 F (3.84)

• Key returnees: Jake Tipton 6-6 Sr. F (3.80), Ryan Reid 5-9 Sr., Seth Muhlestein 5-10 Sr., Tage Wilcock 5-11 Sr., Kyle Shuler 6-1 Sr., Taylor Wright 6-0 Sr., Michael Lunt 6-2 Sr., Justin Wolf 6-6 Sr., Steven Clark 6-2 Sr.

• The Word: It's an unusual year for Payson when the Lions don't make the state tournament. Rarely does Lunt have two down years in a row, so expect his team to get back on track.