High Schools

Greater Western Ohio Conference

5 players to watch

Matt Kavanaugh, Centerville High School, 6-foot-9 sr.: A difference-maker in the post, the University of Dayton recruit averaged 20.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, 2.8 assists and even 1.2 steals.

Aaron Robinson, Trotwood-Madison, 6-2 sr.: The future Findlay player averaged 3.2 assists to go with 11.9 points. Leads a talented Rams team.

Mark Shadowens, Fairmont, 6-3 jr.: A scorer, he averaged 12.5 points while shooting 48.8 percent from the field and 80.3 at the line.

Zack Burks, Springfield, 6-3 sr.: The football quarterback can get it done on the court as well, as evidenced by his 11.6 points per game average last season.

Bryce Hathaway, Lebanon, 6-1 sr.: The Warriors leading returning scorer, Hathaway' usual game was 9.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

Others to watch

Lamar Mallory, Wayne, 6-7 sr.

Adam Replogle, Centerville, 6-4 sr.

Josh McClain, Northmont, 6-3 soph.

Markus Crider, Wayne, 6-6 soph.

Kyle Windmiller, Fairborn, 6-3 sr.

Bryce Drew, Springboro, 6-1 sr.

Lamar Taborn, Sidney, 6-6 sr.

David Dudgeon, Xenia, 6-6 sr.

Dan Wilson, Piqua, sr., 6-3 sr.

A.J. Pacher, Vandalia Butler, 6-8 jr.

D.J. Martinez, Troy, 6-6 jr.

Josh Topp, Sidney, 5-10 sr.

Logan Rucker, Fairmont, 6-2 sr.

5 things to know

Centerville and T-M won't play, unless it is in the Division I tournament. The Elks are the heavy favorites to be the area's best D-I team.

Wayne lost eight seniors from last season, but coach Travis Trice has a group of younger guys raring for more playing time.

Springboro doesn't have Austin McMahan on its roster, last season's second-leading scorer.

Football injuries took a toll on Beavercreek, which will be without Brad Sundstrom, among others.

The Northmont coaching staff is high on freshman Solomon King White, a 5-8 guard.

Greater Catholic League North

5 players to watch

Ryan Siggins, Alter, 6-5 sr.: At 16.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 1.4 blocks and 2.8 assists, he can affect a game at either end.

Ryan Bass, Chaminade Julienne, 5-10 jr.: The fast point guard was the top assist man (3.1) in the GCL North. Averaged 13 points.

Jamarre White, Alter, 6-1, sr.: The talented guard was good for 13 points and 5.6 assists per game last season.

Joe Staley, CJ, 6-2, jr.: The coach's son was an inside-outside force, averaging 9.9 points and 6.5 rebounds with a streaky 3-point shooting touch.

Jeremy Jones, Carroll, 5-8, sr.: A guard who averaged 9.2 points per contest at season ago; is the Patriots' leading returning scorer.

5 things to know

Alter and CJ tied for the GCL North title with identical 9-5 records. The Knights and Eagles split two regular-season games, with Alter winning in the postseason.

CJ returns its top three scorers — Bass, Staley and Kurt Hess — and three of its top six rebounders. Plus, the Eagles added Carroll transfer Matt Vest.

Fenwick is rebuilding after finishing 4-19 overall, 1-13 in the league and without its top three scorers.

New Carroll coach Dennis Wahle's roster has eight seniors, including his son, Nathan, but only junior Delve Givens (6-5) is taller than 6-2. Jones and Pat Sedlar are the only returning starters.

With four players 6-6 or taller, Alter led the GCL North in rebounds, steals and blocked shots.

City League

5 players to watch

Juwan Staten, Marshall, 6-0, jr.: The UD-bound point guard averaged more than 23 points and 7 assists.

Nathan Davis, Stivers, 6-4, sr.: Probably on the short list of state's best D-III players; leaper averaged 15.5 points.

Ryan Drakes, Meadowdale, 6-2, sr.: 11 points and eight boards; he's the best on a talented Lions team.

Geron Johnson, Dunbar, 6-3, jr.: Has drawn the praise of several area coaches who say he can score in a variety of ways.

Greg Gainey, Marshall, 6-4, jr.: One of the area's best shooters and rebounders while at T-M.

5 things to know

In what figures to be at least a two-year run, the junior-heavy Cougars feature Staten, Shawn Robinson and Gainey, along with another Trotwood transfer (DeAngelo Gates) and other young talent.

Dunbar lost transfers Keith Winn and Darion Brandon to Trotwood, but coach Pete Pullen said Deon Stewart, Rod Sneed and out-of-state transfer Patrick Green will rally around Geron Johnson.

Belmont coach Lyle Cole declared the Bison, 3-18 last season, will not be a doormat this year. Senior forward Donald Beatty was a double-digit scorer.

Meadowdale made a late run last season and plans to challenge Marshall (and possibly Dunbar) for the City League title.

Stivers coach Carlos Roberts has Nathan Davis and seven other seniors.

Southwestern Buckeye League

5 players to watch

Rick Denny, Valley View, 6-0, jr.: Averaged 17 points and 9 rebounds and shot 38 percent from the 3-point line.

Kyle England, Carlisle, 6-4, sr.: Rugged and volatile. Wreaks havoc inside and averaged 18 points.

Sky Grieshop, Franklin, 6-3, sr.: Set single-game school record of nine treys; averaged 16 points.

Nikko Johnson, Milton-Union, 6-4, sr.: Double-double machine and focal point of Bulldogs.

Robby Sherk, Oakwood, 6-2, sr.: Healthy after an injury-plagued junior season. Will play the point.

5 things to know

Brookville will be a more balanced attack after staging 3-for-alls in the past. "We will have to convert more 2-point field goals and penetrate instead of relying on the 3," coach Jeff Davidson said. Weapons aplenty include Brad Peters (14 points), Cory Caudill (12 points) and point guard Braden Kindell (5 assists).

Bellbrook, 17-5 and 10-2, wins the SWBL Southwestern Division crown with drumbeat regularity. Graduation depleted the starting lineup.

Cory Crozier is the new boss at Waynesville, succeeding Doc (John) Murphy. Sweet-shooting Travis Williams (17 points), do-it-all Brady Deters and 6-6 Stephen Gossard anchor the Spartans.

The SWBL Buckeye Division crown will likely have to go through Middletown Madison. Mohawks feature 6-9 Justin Brunswick and point guard Josh Foster.

Valley View, 9-12, is no longer under the radar with impressive scorer Rick Denny, promising sophomore Kyle Pohl (13 points, 9 rebounds) and playmaker Adam Emrick.

Cross County Conference

5 players to watch

Dan Hickman, Miami East, 6-0, sr.: Point guard led the Vikings to their most wins (15-7) since '03. Averaged 18.1 points, 6.0 assists and 3.4 steals.

Heath Kaufman, Franklin-Monroe, 6-4, sr.: One of the league's top scorers returns with his 14.8 average.

Scott Masin, Bethel, 6-5, jr.: Bees' big man put up lofty numbers with 13.2 points and 7.0 rebounds.

Tyler Greer, Tri-Village, 6-0, sr.: Averaged 12 points and five assists as the Patriots won their second straight sectional title.

Clint Spitler, Twin Valley South, 6-0, jr.: Forms a tough backcourt with Ryan Innis; averaged 14 points and 3.8 assists.

5 things to know

TV South won the CCC for its first title since the 2002-03 season. Arcanum, Bethel, Miami East are also among the favorites, and don't count out Franklin-Monroe or Tri-Village.

Tri-Village has been on a roll. The Patriots are coming off consecutive sectional titles for the first time in school history.

Covington is in good shape to rebound from its 5-16 season. Seniors Andy Sparks, Nate Lavey and Kyle Kanet lead the returnees.

Offense shouldn't be a problem for Miami East. The Vikings return their top three scorers — Dan Hickman, Logan Carey and Tyler Dunivan — who combined for 37.9 points.

Bradford and Newton are both experiencing a numbers crunch. The Railroaders have 19 players in the varsity and junior varsity program, with the tallest varsity player at 6-1. The Indians have just 14 players in their program, just one being a senior.

Central Buckeye Conference

5 players to watch

Tony Carson, Northwestern, 6-2, sr.: Warriors struggled with three-win season, but Carson averaged 13.5 points and 3.2 steals.

Josh Leet, Tecumseh, 5-11, sr.: If the Arrows are going to defend their Kenton Trail Division title, then Leet's 4.8 assists will come in handy.

David Moore, Tippecanoe, 6-0, jr.: Solid defender could also become Red Devils' floor leader.

Kyle Morris, Kenton Ridge, 6-1, jr.: Cougars are in the Kenton Trail Division hunt as Morris returns with his 11.6 points.

Justin Williams, Spg. Shawnee, 6-2, sr.: Forward comes up big down low; averaged 13.7 points and 8.1 rebounds.

5 things to know

Graham's Josh Schuler will play at the University of North Dakota next season. Schuler, who averaged 20 points last season in leading the Falcons to the D-II state semifinals, is just the second boys basketball player in school history to earn a D-I scholarship.

Tippecanoe has just two seniors and only three players are taller than 6-2.

Northwestern finished just 3-18 overall and 1-15 in the league. But beware. The Warriors return four starters and seven of their top eight players.

Is there a perfect 10 in Tecumseh's future? The Arrows started 10-0, capped by a win over Tipp, before Northmont defeated the Arrows. Tecumseh's only other regular-season loss was in OT to Graham.

Graham is the heavy favorite to repeat in the Mad River Division. Defending champ Tecumseh and Tipp are the favorites in the Kenton Trail Division.

Shelby County League

5 players to watch

Derek Billing, Anna, 6-2, jr.: Floor general averaged 10.6 points and was leader in steals and assists for the Rockets, who may be even better than the team that reached the D-III state semifinals.

Dustin Oates, Fairlawn, 6-1, jr.: First-year coach Derek Alexander has an outside scoring threat in Oates.

Mark Frilling, Fort Loramie, 6-5, jr.: A steady force inside; averaged 10.4 points, 7 rebounds and blocked 40 shots.

Cody Meyer, Botkins, 6-7, sr.: Beware going inside against Meyer, who stands 6-7 and weighs 240 pounds.

Josh Cornett, Houston, 6-2, sr.: The Wildcats' lone varsity returnee has a nice shooting touch that will be heavily counted on for a team that graduated 11 of 12 players from last season.

5 things to know

The Rockets are ready for take-off, again. A team that set the school record for wins (25-2) could be even better this season. Anna's two losses came to eventual state champs: D-IV New Knoxville in the regular season and Ottawa-Glandorf in the D-III state semifinals.

Houston will go through some growing pains this season. The Wildcats graduated 11 of 12 varsity players who led the team to consecutive district championships. 'Cats have been knocked out of the past two regional tourneys by eventual state champs in Georgetown (2007) and New Knoxville (2008).

Karl Ratermann takes over at Fort Loramie, which has big expectations: 6-6 Mark Frilling could be the SCL's best inside player. He's joined by 6-5, 265-pound Nathan Brandewie, who wanted to come out for his senior season. Ratermann looks to run an offense focusing on passing and screens and a defense heavy on man-to-man.

Paul Bremigan celebrates his silver anniversary (25th) at Russia this season. There's potential despite having back only two letterwinners — Andy Toller and Levi Francis — and no starters from a team that went 15-9 last season.

To get back in the SCL hunt, Jackson Center needs to find some offense. The Tigers averaged less than 40 points per game last season. Seniors Jay Hoying, Keenan Fuller, Dustin Mitchell and Derek Metz look to change that.

Metro Buckeye Conference

5 players to watch

Aaron Deister, Day. Christian, 5-11 sr.: Called a "game-changer" by new coach Chip James. A savvy, four-year starter who makes everybody around him better. Averaged 17 points a game.

Kenneth Gaynor, Mid. Christian, 6-5 sr.: Multi-dimensional player who can play any position on the floor. Averaged 19 points and 10 boards. He is undervalued, but is highly respected in the MBC. "He's just tough to guard because he can post up or shoot the 3," Yellow Springs coach Brad Newsome said.

Ryan Newsome, Yellow Springs, 6-2 jr.: Averaged 12 points and 5 rebounds and shot an impressive 44 percent from the 3-point arc.

Dwayne Sanders, Jefferson, 5-7 sr.: A pocket rocket who directs the Broncos' fast-paced attack. Averaged nearly 10 points a game.

Nate Serenius, Dayton Christian, 6-3 sr.: Guard averaged 11 points. Second-team All-MBC.

5 things to know

MBC's talent hub resides at Jefferson. The Broncos are the three-time defending champs and return all five starters from an 18-7, 12-1 team. Driving the Broncos is the memory of how they routed Lockland in the district championship game, but later forfeited because of an ineligible player. "They are the MBC's answer to North Carolina with a great system and a great coach in Art Winston," said DC coach Chip James. Broncos returnees include Sanders, Adreian Payne, Jared Nolan, Brit Zackery and Steven Robinson. Watch out for precocious sophomore Cody Latimer. High-octane Jefferson is panting for a deep run in March.

Jefferson's Adreian Payne is highly-coveted by every major school in the country and a powerhouse pivot player at 6-9, 215 pounds. Good for 15 points and 10 boards. Has diversified his game. Smooth-moving, graceful and athletic — reminds people of a young Kevin Garnett.

New coach Chip James (formerly of Ridgeville Christian) replaces Tony Pitts at Dayton Christian and promises that his players will play with heart, hunger and high intensity. DC will make defense its calling card. James inherits Deister, Serenius and Kenny Florkey. Keep an eye on sophomore Julian Harris.

Yellow Springs will be in the MBC mix after a 12-11 and 6-6 season. Will be undersized, but will compensate with quickness and backcourt play. Newsome, Ian Wimberly and Kevin Sikes-Gilbert will supply the firepower for the Bulldogs. "This group has been together for three years, so we expect good things," said coach Brad Newsome.

Xenia Christian point guard Andrew McNeely is one of the top underclassmen in the conference. "Just a fierce competitor who runs their up-tempo attack," said Yellow Springs coach Brad Newsome.

Midwest Athletic Conference

5 players to watch

Josh Fisher, Parkway, 6-1, sr.: The senior played a big part in the Panthers' sectional title, averaging 18 points and 4.1 rebounds.

Eric Lefeld, Coldwater, 6-7, jr.: Powered the Cavaliers inside game with 12.3 points and 6.6 rebounds.

Greg Kahlig, Fort Recovery, 6-5, jr.: Averaged 16.9 points and 6.6 rebounds for the district finalists and is closing in on 1,000 career points.

Brad Piehl, New Knoxville, 6-7, sr.: The D-IV state tourney MVP and Robert Morris recruit returns his 14.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 81 percent free-throw percentage.

Clayton Nieport, Versailles, 5-11, sr.: Leading returning scorer.

5 things to know

The league title goes through New Knoxville. The Rangers have posted consecutive 20-0 regular seasons and are 52-1 the past two seasons overall.

New Knoxville's basketball title leaves New Bremen as the only full-time member without a state championship in any sport.

Senior PG Joby Stechschulte will be key for Minster, which hasn't won a sectional title the past three seasons after winning 10 of 12.

New Bremen is on a roll with five straight winning seasons for the first time in school history. A sixth is more than likely.

Marion Local has been known for its patient offense. The Flyers might find a new identity this season with an up-tempo style.

Independants

3 players to watch

Mac Fiely, Greenville, sr.: Center came up big in the D-I sectional vs. Wayne. His inside game will be needed for the Green Wave to build on last season's success.

Zac Schmitz, Lehman Catholic, 6-7, sr.: Football standout brings speed. Led the Cavaliers with 12.9 points, field-goal percentage, free-throw shooting, steals and assists.

Brad Eversole, West Carrollton, 6-7, sr.: Forward has been described as a throwback player for his hustle and work ethic. Averaged 19 points as a first-year starter.

3 things to know

Greenville went from six wins two years ago to a 12-10 record last season, its first winning record in a decade.

Lehman has a boost in the program's numbers, going from 25 to 33, including 11 sophomores.

West Carrollton is being tabbed on some message boards as a sleeper. The Pirates, though, weren't snoozing in 2007-08. West Carrollton went 16-6 and returns talent from that team.