Area hoops teams ready for tip off (Boys)

While a few lucky fans still get to follow their schools on the gridiron for a few more weeks, most area prep sports followers have already turned their thoughts indoors.

The high school basketball season tips off tonight for many programs. Here’s a quick look at what many of the teams around north Georgia have in store...

BOYS OUTLOOK (girls previews are in a separate story: ):

-- BANKS COUNTY LEOPARDS
Coach: Mike Ruth
2008-09 record: 14-12
Key players: G Chase Armour, 5-9 Sr.; G Brett Armour, 5-9 Sr.; C Kevin Daniel, 6-4 Sr.; G Bill Redmon, 5-7 Sr.
Region: 8-AA
Keys to season: Before the season started, the Leopards lost senior starter Kane Duncan, who transferred to Riverside Military, but Banks County expects to be competitive again in 8-AA.


-- BUFORD WOLVES
Coach: Milt Travis
2008-09 record: 8-17
Key players: G Zac Lynn, 5-11 Jr. (8 points per game, 3 assists per game); C Tyshawn Holley, 6-3 Sr. (6 ppg, 4 rebounds per game); PF/C TJ Shipes, 6-6 So. (8 ppg, 6 rpg), G Jamal English, 5-8 Jr.
Region: 6-AA
Keys to season: After graduating five seniors from last year's team, the Wolves are a young squad with just three seniors. Buford will lean on at least three sophomores for significant minutes, along with three juniors. Although it may be considered a rebuilding season with all of the youth, this group has the potential to be successful if the Wolves can overcome the lack of experience. Holley and English will miss the first few weeks of the season as, they play for the football team. Buford does not have a go-to scorer, rather several players who could provide big nights.


-- CHESTATEE WAR EAGLES
Coach: Gary Barnes
2008-09 record: 11-14
Key players: G Lamar Brooks, 6-1 Sr.; F Jackson Chandler, 6-3 Sr.; F Brantley Beck, 6-4 Sr.; G Preston Smith, 6-0 So.
Region: 7A-AAA
Keys to season: The War Eagles enter the season under a new head coach for the first time in six seasons as Barnes takes over for the departed Russ Triaga. Barnes expects his team to play hard every night and improve as the season progresses and believes his squad will compete for a playoff spot.


-- COMMERCE TIGERS
Coach: Chad Bridges
2008-09 record: 13-13
Key players: PG Anthony Norris, Jr.; SG Bubba Bonds, Jr.; PF Deon Brock, Sr.; PF Channing Anderson, Jr.
Region: 8-A
Keys to season: Commerce must replace three starters from last season and has already lost Norris for at least six games after the junior injured his knee over the summer – though he should be back by Christmas. Brock will also join the team later after starring for the Tigers on the football field.


-- CREEKVIEW GRIZZLIES
Coach: Casey Gramling
2008-09 record: 17-9
Key players: F Austin Younker, 6-7 Sr. (14 ppg, 6 rpg); F Matt Thornton, 6-2 Sr.; PG A.J. Johnson, 6-2 Jr.
Region: 7A-AAA
Keys to season: After losing four starters and eight seniors to graduation, the Grizzlies will have some growing up to do early, but Creekview has several kids that are excited for the opportunity. The Grizzlies certainly impressed throughout much of the season last year and will look to build on that momentum this campaign.


-- DAWSON COUNTY TIGERS
Coach: Thad Burgess
2008-09 record: 16-12; Class AA playoffs
Key players: F Jacob Evans, Jr. (10 ppg, 9 rpg); PG Stephen Scaife, Jr. (8 ppg, 3 steals per game, 5 assists per game).
Region: 8-AA
Keys to season: The Tigers will rely on five juniors this season, including top rebounder and scorer from a year ago in Evans, and playmaker Scaife. Dawson County will live and die with the three-point shot. The program should be able to lean on its recent successes after reaching the state playoffs for three straight seasons and winning two subregion titles and finishing as Region 8-AA runner-up in that time. Burgess led the Tigers to their first state postseason appearance in 30 years and returned for Dawson’s first-ever back-to-back appearance. Now he hopes to build on that progress.


-- EAST HALL VIKINGS
Coach: Joe Dix
2008-09 record: 12-14
Key players: G Kymmon Woods, 6-4 Jr. (13.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 4.5 apg, 3.5 spg); G Greg Edwards, 6-1 Sr. (8 ppg, 42 3-pointers); C Chaz Cheeks, 6-5 Jr. (7 ppg, 8 rpg); PG Charles Perry, 5-9 Sr. (9 ppg, 6 apg, drew 24 charges)
Region: 7B-AAA
Keys to season: After last year’s disappointment of not reaching the state playoffs for the first time in 32 years and experiencing their first losing season since 1968, the Vikings are certainly looking to bounce back. East Hall does return four starters and eight players from last year’s bench, though standout guard Woods will start late as he continues to recover from a knee injury (expected back by December). As usual, the Vikings face a killer schedule and will have to grow up fast, but Dix is excited about this team’s potential, both in ability and size – though the Vikings must improve on their shooting after sinking just 32 percent of their shots last season.


-- FLOWERY BRANCH FALCONS
Coach: Duke Mullis
2008-09 record: 16-13; Region 7-AAA third place
Key players: C Ishmael Hollis, 6-6 Sr. (16 ppg, 8 rpg; led team in points, rebounds, FG percentage in 2008-2009); C Zach Barrett, 6-5 Sr.; F Otis Clark, 6-4 Sr.
Region: 7B-AAA
Keys to season: After reaching the state playoffs again last season, the Falcons will look to add to their postseason berths this year -- though they will have to replace a number of players on the perimeter, including dynamic scorer Josh Barrett, who graduated after last season. Flowery Branch does have plenty of size inside, however, and Hollis has the length and ability to be one of the more dominating players in Region 7-AAA.


-- GAINESVILLE RED ELEPHANTS
Coach: Todd Cottrell
2008-09 record: 22-9, Region 7-AAA subregion and region Champions, Class AAA semifinals
Key players: G Blake Sims, 6-1 Sr. (12.6 ppg, 4.2 apg, 2.5 spg); G Chris West, 6-3 Sr.; G Ty Redmon, 6-3 Sr.; F A.J. Johnson, 6-3 Jr. (4 ppg, 7.7 rpg).
Region: 7B-AAA
Keys to season: The Red Elephants put themselves back at the forefront of the ultra-competitive Region 7-AAA last season and have some stellar players returning from that team, including Sims, Johnson, West and Redmon. But, despite a No. 1 preseason ranking in Class AAA, Gainesville does have to replace six graduated seniors from last year and will be without Sims, Johnson and West for the early part of the campaign while those three star for the football team. Amongst the departed from last season were leading scorer George Manomano. Yet Cottrell likes the make-up of this squad and believes they will be compete again for the postseason.


-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL RAIDERS
Coach: Don Ledbetter
2008-09 record: 5-18
Key players: SF Kyle Gunter, 6-4 Sr.; SF Kevin Ellison, 5-11 So.; SF Matt Armour, 5-10 Sr.
Region: 8-AAAA
Keys to season: The Raiders hope to improve on last season’s tough campaign despite graduating five key players, including 6-4 standouts Sam Cantrell and Joseph Lumpkin.


-- JACKSON COUNTY PANTHERS
Coach: Britt Beaver
2008-09 record: 3-17
Key players: G Joseph Smith, 6-1 Sr. (20 ppg, 5 rpg); G Alex Crawford, 5-9 Jr. (6 ppg, 9 apg); F Jusamar Harrison, 6-4 Sr. (10 ppg, 10 rpg).
Region: 8-AAA
Keys to season: The Panthers have worked hard during the offseason, looking to make up for a number of injuries that hampered them last year. Smith has paced Jackson County in scoring the last two years and will again be relied on headed into this season.


-- JEFFERSON DRAGONS
Coach: Bolling DuBose
2008-09 record: 21-5
Key players: PF Hoytes Damons, 6-1 Jr.; J.J. Damons, 6-2 Sr.; PG Darius Minor, 6-1 Sr.
Keys to season: The Dragons will be looking to bounce back from last season’s disappointing finish, which saw Jefferson go 21-3 and then lose back-to-back games at the end of the year to miss out on the state playoffs.


-- JOHNSON KNIGHTS
Coach: Jeff Steele
2008-09 record: 13-12
Key players: SF Tre Dudley, 6-1 Sr.; SG Matt Hollis, 5-11 So.; SG Chris Henry, 6-0 Sr.
Region: 7B-AAA
Keys to season: The Knights played tough with numerous teams last season, coming up just short in several games, and coach Steele hopes to turn that around this campaign. As ever, Johnson will play a high-tempo game, looking to move the ball quickly and find open shots. The Knights do feature several outside scorers, though the trick will be finding consistent inside play.


-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY LIONS
Coach: Seth Vining
2008-09 record: 18-11; Class A playoffs
Key players: PG Daniel Olvera, 6-2 Sr.; G Jordan Chastain, 6-1 Sr.; F Ross Bielger, 6-3 Sr.; F Jake Kendrick, Jr.; F Jackson Wells, Jr.
Region: 8-A
Keys to season: With 11 players returning from last season’s squad, which reached the state playoffs for the sixth straight year, Vining is upbeat about his team’s outlook. The Lions do have to replace first-team all-region players Haughton Carswell and Tyler Ward and will play through a trying schedule. Yet Lakeview has good and should get better throughout the season, and Vining believes his squad can compete for a Region 8-A title.


-- LUMPKIN COUNTY INDIANS
Coach: Bobby Smith
2008-09 record: 13-11
Key players: PG E.J. Young, 5-10 Sr.; G Austin Tolbert, 5-9 Sr.; G/F Taylor Guthrie, 6-6 Jr.
Region: 7A-AAA
Keys to season: The graduation of center Shawn Chapman has made Lumpkin County a smaller but quicker team this year. Young will set the tone on offense and defense and has the ability to take over a game with his scoring prowess.


-- NORTH HALL TROJANS
Coach: Benjie Wood
2008-09 record: 21-9; Region 7-AAA fourth place, Class AAA Sweet 16
Key players: SG Robby Hill, 5-9 Sr.; G Robert Humphrey, 5-11 Sr.; PF Trevor Ross, 6-1 Sr.; G Kanler Coker, 6-3 So.; PG Lance White, 5-8 So.
Region: 7A-AAA
Keys to season: After reaching the Class AAA Sweet 16 last season and finishing third in Region 7-AAA, the Trojans hope to continue their improvement and have plenty of experience returning for 2009-10. A number of quick, talented guards will look to keep teams off balance with pressure defense and deadly perimeter shooting -- a recipe that helped North Hall score an impressive upset of Franklin County in the first round of the state tournament last year. Coker and White were two of the more impressive underclassmen in 7-AAA last season and should only be better.


-- PICKENS DRAGONS
Coach: Brad Steinhauer
2008-09 record: 8-18
Key players: PG Jordan Shaw 6-1 Jr. (leading scorer 14 ppg); F Bob Jasperse 6-4 Sr. (9 ppg)
Region: 7A-AAA
Keys to season: The Dragons hope to improve on last year’s accomplishments with their top two scorers returning from last season. Steinhauer believes his team is ready to compete for a top spot in Region 7A-AAA.


-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY EAGLES
Coach: Rico Zackery
2008-09 record: 15-7; Region 8-AA champions, Class AA Sweet 16
Key players: PF Brandon McKinney, 6-6 Sr.; SG Richard Tribble, 6-1 Sr.; PF Dylen Setzekorn, 6-5 Sr.
Region: 8-AA
Keys to season: After winning their first ever GHSA region title and playoff game last season, the Eagles return a number of key players from that squad – though Riverside will be with a new head coach, as Zackery replaces Matt Bohon. The Eagles certainly have size inside between McKinney and Setzekorn. Tribble will lead from the perimeter. The Eagles relied on a suffocating half-court defense last season, and few teams in Region 8-AA will have the size to consistently challenge Riverside in the paint.


-- WHITE COUNTY WARRIORS
Coach: Mark Carroll
2008-09 record: 7-18
Key players: F Luke Crumley, 6-5 Jr. (14 ppg, 8 rpg); PG Ashely Lowery, 6-2 Jr. (13 ppg, 6 rpg); G Tyler Dotson, 5-11 Sr. (8 ppg); G Luke Fincher, 5-11 Sr. (5 ppg).
Region: 7A-AAA
Keys to season: The return of four starters has coach Carroll looking up, as the Warriors return their top three scorers and rebounders. Seven White County players have varsity experience from last season, and the Warriors will look to put themselves at the top of the Region 7A-AAA race along with early favorites like North Hall.


-- WEST HALL SPARTANS
Coach: Warren Sellers
2008-09 record: 24-7; Region 7-AAA runner-up, Class AAA Sweet 16
Key players: PF Shunquez Stephens, 6-4 Jr. (15.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg); PG Jarquise Young, 5-7 Jr. (5 ppg); F Dylan Bartlett, 6-4 Sr.
Region: 7B-AAA
Keys to season: The Spartans feature one of Region 7-AAA’s most explosive scorers in Stephens, who has the size to play inside and the shooting ability to hurt opponents from the perimeter – though he could start slowly after recovering from injuries sustained during the football season. While West Hall did graduate a number of standouts from last season’s 7-AAA second-place team -- including Kavon Williams, Rodney Gibson and Terrell Penland – the Spartans will bring on a number of talented younger players from a strong junior varsity squad a season ago. And Sellers believes his team will be back in the thick of the hunt for Region 7-AAA.


-- WEST FORSYTH WOLVERINES
Coach: Chris Roy
2008-09 record: 10-17
Key players: G Josh Benedict, Sr.; F Shaeem McClaren, Sr.; F Conner King, Jr.
Region: 7B-AAA
Keys to season: The Wolverines were competitive all of last season and hope to build on that, along with a strong summer program. Benedict, McClaren and King will all be looked to for leadership roles this season. West Forsyth showed it has the size to play a solid inside game and were also dangerous from the perimeter last season, though they will want to become more consistent in the ultra-competitive 7B-AAA.


-- WINDER-BARROW BULLDOGGS
Coach: David Sokol
2008-08 record: N/A
Key players: F Alonzo Nelson, Jr.; G DJ Butler, Sr.
Region: 8-AAAA
Keys to season: The Bulldoggs are under a new head coach in Sokol, who came to Winder from South Forsyth. Sokol’s teams experienced their share of success at South Forsyth, and he hopes to bring a winning attitude and high tempo of play to the Bulldoggs.

Link: For the girls preview, click here...