Casey Jones and Joel Davidson are two of the top coaches in the Wyoming Athletic Conference.

The men's basketball coaches from Eastern Wyoming and Casper, respectively, are also two of the coaches in the conference that know Wyoming best.

Jones and Davidson grew up in the Cowboy State, went to college in Wyoming and now lead successful basketball programs in the state.

"It's a great place, good people, great place to live," Davidson said. "I've lived a lot of other places and kept coming back to Wyoming. There is a reason. As far as the profession, it's a good league and a good conference. The only negative is travel."

Davidson grew up in Sheridan, finished college at the University of Wyoming, coached in Sheridan, and is now in his first year as head coach at Casper. He's lived in Iowa, Montana, and Nevada for various reasons, but always returns to Wyoming.

Jones has a similar story.

The Lancers coach grew up in Saratoga, then played at Eastern. After his stop in Torrington he went to South Dakota, then Washington to finish college. Jones then became an assistant for the Lancers, then moved to Western Wyoming to coach the Mustangs for three years before returning to Torrington last year.

"I have no desire to leave the state of Wyoming," Jones said. "I love the recreation. I love small communities. I don't care to live in a city, and I like my family. They are all from here. … College jobs are hard to get anyway, so I don't see myself leaving the state if I can help it."

Davidson said having multiple home-grown coaches is unique to Wyoming, and knowing the state so well has its advantages.

"It's a small state," Davidson said. "Everyone knows everyone. I might not know a kid that's playing in Cheyenne right now, but odds are I've coached this kid's older brother in an all-star game or know his high school coach. There always seems to be connections."

Both coaches say they have strong relationships with coaches throughout the state. Though coaches change, Davidson said he still often knows new coaches because he's either played against them growing up or has worked with them at some point.

Northwest coach Andy Ward grew up in New Mexico, but his ties to the state also run deep. Ward played at Eastern, and was an assistant and head coach there before joining the Trappers.

All three coaches have been successful in recent years.

Ward led the Lancers to the NJCAA Tournament in 2003 and '04, and was the Region IX coach of the year in 2004; Jones was the Wyoming Athletic Conference and Central Sub-Region coach of the year in 2004 and '05, and led the Lancers to the region championship last season; and Davidson was the Region IX coach of the year in 2006 and '07.

Like Jones and Davidson, Ward enjoys the open spaces and beauty of the state. The quality of basketball also keeps him in Wyoming.

"I don't think it's wise to close any doors," Ward said. "You have to keep your options open, but if I'm here in the state, that doesn't bother me at all. It's treated me well."

Contact sports reporter David Buck at (307) 266-0596 or david.buck@trib.com.

WHAT: Wyoming junior college men's basketball.

NATIVE SONS: Casper coach Joel Davidson and Eastern Wyoming coach Casey Jones grew up, went to college and now coach in Wyoming. Northwest coach Andy Ward grew up in New Mexico, but played at Eastern and later returned to Wyoming to coach.

HE SAID IT: "I have no desire to leave the state of Wyoming. I love the recreation. I love small communities." - Jones

INSIDE: Capsule previews of Wyoming's men's junior college basketball teams, PAGE D2.

Wyoming Junior College Men's Basketball Capsules

Junior college basketball tips off on Friday and teams are eager to start the season after practicing since Oct. 1. Here is a capsule look at Wyoming's junior college men's basketball teams:

Casper

OUTLOOK: New coach Joel Davidson says character will be a strength for the Thunderbirds, along with their size. Casper needs to work on its 3-point shooting and has to overcome the loss of Art Steward, a projected starter, who is out for the season with a foot injury.

KEY PLAYERS: Robert Mayes, fr., F; Langston Banks, so., G; Marshall Kelly, so., G; Abner Kamps, fr., F; Brian Ridgeway, so., G.

WYOMING PLAYERS: Steward (Natrona County), Ridgeway (Kelly Walsh), James Hayden (Jackson), Kelly (Laramie), Ryan Allen (Torrington), Noah Adams* (Midwest).

COACH: Davidson (First year at Casper; sixth overall, 122-38)

LAST YEAR: 20-12

Central Wyoming

OUTLOOK: The Rustlers return to the hardwood for the first time since 1991. Central Wyoming is young and inexperienced with no sophomores, and is still searching for its identity.

KEY PLAYERS: Preston Richards, fr., G; Paul Brotherson, fr., F; Tanner Adams, fr., F.

WYOMING PLAYERS: Leithaniel Peahrora (Wind River), Cody Emrick* (Sundance), Craig Koger* (Wheatland), Marco Iachini* (Riverton), Chris Lonebear* (Wind River).

COACH: Jamie Stevens (First head coaching job)

LAST YEAR: First season since 1991.

Eastern Wyoming

OUTLOOK: The Lancers are the defending Region IX champions, but lost two players who averaged double-digit points and five or more rebounds per game. Eastern Wyoming will have good defense and experience back from last year's squad, but size will be an issue.

KEY PLAYERS: Arunas Simanavicius, Billy Butler, Matt Pritchett.

WYOMING PLAYERS: Caleb Moore (Torrington).

COACH: Casey Jones (Second year at Eastern Wyoming; fifth season overall, 60-68)

LAST YEAR: 23-13

Laramie County

OUTLOOK: The Golden Eagles have two experienced returners in Dionte Clayborn and Travis Bostick, who both averaged more than 10 points a game last year. LCCC hopes to improve on last year's record with its returning experience and strong freshmen class.

KEY PLAYERS: Clayborn, so., G, 13.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.6 apg; Bostick, so., F, 13.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg; Dejan Bratic, so., F, 4.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg.

WYOMING PLAYERS: Tyler Kimzey (Pine Bluffs), Andy Bailey (Cheyenne East), Chucky Wright* (Cheyenne East).

COACH: Jason Ficca (Second year at LCCC; seventh overall, 85-101)

LAST YEAR: 8-23

Northwest

OUTLOOK: The Trappers return Julian Olubuyi, their starting point guard from last season. Northwest is skilled at every position with talented shooters and passers, which can make them hard to defend. The Trappers are young, but strong defense and team chemistry should help overcome the inexperience.

KEY PLAYERS: Olubuyi, so., G; Jordan Harris, so., F.

WYOMING PLAYERS: Cody Ball (Evanston), David Moats (Guernsey).

COACH: Andy Ward (Second year at Northwest)

LAST YEAR: 14-16

Sheridan

OUTLOOK: The Generals will be young, with just three returning sophomores, including one starter - Moustapha Diarra. Sheridan must adjust to first-year head coach Steve Smiley, who will continue to run an up-tempo style of offense and will rely on sophomores to lead the team.

KEY PLAYERS: Diarra, so., F, 10.5 ppg, 5 rpg; Jake Lohof, so., G; Josh Perry, so., F.

WYOMING PLAYERS: Lohof (Lovell)

COACH: Smiley (First head coaching job)

LAST YEAR: 24-9

Western Wyoming

OUTLOOK: The Mustangs are coming off their best season in school history, and hope to build on that momentum. Western returns three part-time starters and has a good combination of transfers and freshmen coming in. The team must work on defense and rebounding if it wants to repeat last year's success.

KEY PLAYERS: Armando Brito, so., 10 ppg, 2 rpg; Darin Weeks, so., 10 ppg, 3 rpg; Maciej Ustarbowski, so.,7 ppg, 4 rpg; Kyle Straatman, so., 4 ppg, 2 apg.

WYOMING PLAYERS: Craig Wilk (Rock Springs), Tony Redman* (Lander), Weeks (Green River), Mike Todd (Rock Springs).

COACH: Trace Bevel (Second year at Western Wyoming; 14th overall 263-151)

LAST YEAR: 25-8

* Will redshirt this season

- Compiled by David Buck, Star-Tribune