5 boys basketball storylines you'll want to follow

1. Dunbar never found a cure for its backcourt last season following the graduation of Ryan Bass, Deon Stewart and Geron Johnson, who led the Wolverines to the 2010 D-II state title. But that won’t be a sore spot this season with the addition of senior Andre Yates. He transferred from Trotwood soon after Mark Baker resigned from the Rams last spring. With Yates (Creighton) out front and 6-8 Deontae “Teddy” Hawkins (Wichita State) and 6-6 Gary Akbar (Cleveland State) down low, the Wolverines are again thinking championship season.

2. It’ll be hard to top coach Darnell Hoskins’ debut with Thurgood Marshall last season, but the Cougars could have the nucleus to do so. Thurgood stunned Dunbar in the D-II regional semi before falling to Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary in the state title game. Marshall also beat Toledo Rogers in the state semifinal and everyone who scored in that game returns, including senior Joe Thomasson, who’s headed to Wright State.

3. Greeneview (20-3 last season) is without 2011 All-Area D-III player of the year Ronnie Drinnon. The 6-7 senior has been suspended until spring for violating the school’s athletic policy. But there’s plenty of firepower left in 6-7 junior Evan Bradds and senior guard Eric Green, starters since their freshman years. Bradds already has committed to Ohio U. and his averages of 17 points and 6.0 rebounds could dramatically improve with Drinnon out.

4. Opponents will once again see double when playing Franklin. The Wildcats are anchored by 6-8 senior twins Jacob and Justin Rossi, physical bangers who are headed to Northern Kentucky along with CJ’s John Staley. But it’s the addition of heralded 6-4 freshman Luke Kennard that has Franklin thinking SWBL title and more.

5. This much is a given, the road to a D-II state title often runs through Dunbar and Thurgood Marshall. Toss in Alter and CJ as frequent contenders, too. But defending D-III state champ Cincinnati Taft is an unexpected wildcard. The Senators were 26-1 last season and have since been bumped up to D-II at least for the next two years. That makes for a potentially loaded Southwest regional field, depending how each team positions itself in the draw.