Delaware Valley League Boys
Taken from PrepZone.com
NOTES: Highland, Horton and Pleasant Ridge
boys did not return team information.
Jackson Heights Cobras
Coach: Garry Smith (5th year) Last year's record: 25-1
Postseason: won 2A state title.
Returning starters: (0).
Other returners/newcomers: Travis Smith, PG, 6-0, jr.; Tyler Williams, G-F, 6-0, sr.; Jared Blackwood, F-C, 6-2, sr.; Jeremy Porter, G, 5-11, sr.; Matt Slater, G, 5-11, sr.; Brett Mellies, F, 6-2, sr.; Brady Butler, F, 6-0, sr.
Outlook: Heights captured program's first state crown since 1979 with thrilling double-overtime win over defending champ Colgan in title game. ... Smith got his third title as coach, also winning titles with Baileyville B&B (1993) boys and Midway-Denton (1990) girls. ... Only loss last year was to St. Marys. ... All five starters are gone from title team, so holes are plenty. ... Travis Smith tries to take over for departed brother Justin, an All-Stater last year. ... Cobras could still be contender in league.
Jefferson North Chargers
Coach: Jim Brickell (18th year) Last year's record: 9-13
Postseason: lost in semifnals of 2A sub-state.
Returning starters: (1) Chris Zielinski, G, sr.
Other returners/newcomers: Rusty Hill, sr.; Brian Pollard, sr.; Matt Erhart, jr.; Chad Mies, jr.; Luke Finley, jr.; Jordan Piha, jr.
Outlook: North suffered first losing season in 10 years and for only the third time in the last 20 years. ... Zielinski averaged 8 ppg and 4 rpg last year.
KC Christian Panthers
Coach: Allan Chugg (14th year) Last year's record: 18-4
Postseason: lost in second round of 3A sub-state.
Returning starters: (3) Jeremy Chugg, PG, 5-10, sr.; Justin West, G, 5-9, sr.; Ben Smalley, F, 6-0, sr.
Other returners/newcomers: Josh Lopez, G, 5-8, sr.; Philip Brandon, F, 6-2, sr.; Zach Kahler, F, 6-0, jr.; Andy Nichols, F, 6-1, jr.; Nathan Ryan, G, 6-0, jr.; Dan Smalley, F, 6-4, so.; Dustin Mehalick, F, 6-2, jr.
Outlook: Christian was runner-up to Jackson Heights in the league last year. ... West tops returning scorers at 8 ppg. ... Lost two first-team all-leaguers.
McLouth Bulldogs
Coach: Chad Brown (2nd year) Last year's record: 8-11
Postseason: lost in first round of 2A sub-state.
Returning starters: (3) Isaac Gardner, PG, 5-8, sr.; Casey Hochard, G, 5-10, sr.; Travis Steffey, F, 6-2, sr.
Other returners/newcomers: Jimmy Steffey, G-F, 5-11, so.; Pat Bartlett, F, 6-4, sr.; Matt Scarlett, G, 5-8, sr.; Kevin Stewart, G, 5-8, so.; Mark Burnett, F, 6-4, sr.; Michael Annis, F, 6-0, jr.
Outlook: Bulldogs made progress last year, moving closer to its first winning season since the late 1980s. ... Gardner averaged 18.1 ppg last year and needs just 174 points to hit the 1,000-point mark. ... Travis Steffey chipped in 9.5 ppg and 8.5 rpg.
Oskaloosa Bears
Coach: Ryan West (1st year) Last year's record: 9-12
Postseason: lost in first round of 3A sub-state.
Returning starters: (1) Jake Heston, C, 6-2, sr.
Other returners/newcomers: Todd Newell, G, 5-10, jr.; Andy Marietta, G, 5-10, sr.; Skyler Wassmer, G, 5-11, sr.; Kevin Miles, G, 5-11, sr.; Josh Bellinger, G, 5-10, sr.
Outlook: Not only is Heston lone returning starter, but only returning player taller than 6-0. ... He averaged 10 ppg and 8 rpg last year. ... Bears will be guard-dominated and should push the tempo. ... Oskie finished fifth in league last year.
Troy Trojans
Coach: Joel Kahnt (4th year) Last year's record: 15-8
Postseason: lost in finals of 2A sub-state.
Returning starters: (3) Jared Sutherland, G-F, 6-1, sr.; Jeff McNemee, C-F, 6-5, sr.; Brett Clary, F, 6-3, sr.
Other returners/newcomers: A.J. Jensen, G, 5-9, sr.; Austin Stock, F, 6-0, sr.; Nolan Franken, G, 6-0, jr.; Bret Johnson, F, 5-11, sr.; Derek Shelton, G, 5-11, jr.
Outlook: Trojans might be team to beat in DVL and is seeking first league crown since 1998. ... McNemee is leading returning scorer (10.9 ppg) and rebounder (6.2 rpg). ... Sutherland moves from forward to guard and should raise his 8.6 ppg scoring average.
Valley Falls Dragons
Coach: Todd Gish (6th year) Last year's record: 14-8
Postseason: lost in semifinals of 2A sub-state.
Returning starters: (1) Allen Schoonover, F, 5-10, sr.
Other returners/newcomers: Doug Self, PG, 5-11, jr.; Craig Meyer, G, 5-9, sr.; Jordan Sloop, G-F, 6-0, so.; Andy Smith, F, 6-2, jr.; Blake Brosa, G-F, 5-10, jr.; Shannon Bickford, C, 6-3, jr.; Conrad Reichart, G, 5-11, sr.; Rich Ferrel, F, sr.
Outlook: Dragons failed to win or share league crown for the first time in five years last year. ... There are holes to fill to remain league contender, most notably four-year starter Tyson Allen. ... Schoonover becomes go-to player after averaging 8.8 ppg. ... No other returner scored more than 5 per game. ... Depth will be strength if JV players make transition to varsity.
Wathena Wildcats
Coach: Steve Taylor (9thyear) Last year's record: 4-18
Postseason: lost in second round of 2A sub-state.
Returning starters: (3) Jeff McGuire, G, 6-2, sr.; Zach Euler, F, 6-4, jr.; Jordan Bauman, C, 6-4, sr.
Other returners/newcomers: Beau Sigrist, F, 6-1, jr.; Mike Lewis, PG, 5-10, sr.; Greg Smith, G, sr.; Danny Wyatt, F, jr.
Outlook: Wildcats endured growing pains last year that should pay off this season. ... Bauman was one of top scorers in league at 17.5 ppg. ... He also averaged 10.3 rpg. ... Euler added 10 ppg. ... The inside tandem will need guards to come around and take some pressure off. ... Wathena hasn't won league since 1994 or been to state since 1989.