By Eric Thomas, Assistant Sports Editor, Dec. 5, 2008

Last updated: Friday, December 5, 2008 10:18 AM EST

Here is a look at the upcoming boys' basketball season:

BIG SPRING BULLDOGS

Coach: Greg Schreiber

Classification: AAA

Division: Capital

Last year: 4-20 overall

Key losses: Garrett Shumaker, Charles Blosser, Hayden Coy

Key returning players: Tyler Carns (jr. guard, 10.8 ppg, 55 3-ptr), Madison Fisher (sr. forward, 6.7 ppg), Garrett Christlieb (sr., guard) Hunter Baliey (jr., forward), Jake Henry (jr., forward)

Newcomers: none

Opener: Paul Crosby Tip-off Tournament vs. Boiling Springs

Coach’s comments: “Although the number of wins may not have shown it, I believe we improved last year and look to continue that this year. We have a couple of key guys returning and I look for us to be even more competitive this season.”

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BOILING SPRINGS BUBBLERS

Coach: Pat Deiter

Classification: AA

Division: Colonial

Last year: 18-7 overall (10-2 Colonial)

Key losses: Leo Hetrick (6.9 ppg), Matt Merlie (5.8 ppg), Andy Wolfe (11.9 ppg, 36 3-ptr), Garry Griffith (4.6 ppg, 4 rpg), Edwin Willis (13.6 ppg, 5 rpg).

Key returning players: Ian Pittenger (sr., forward, 4.6 ppg), Brandon Barber (sr., forward, 1.2 ppg), Zane Frederick (so. Guard).

Newcomers: Luke Hetrick (jr., swing), Speed Watson (jr., forward), Colin Ruane (jr., guard), Ryan Warner (so., guard), Josh Conklin (so., guard), Sam Dell (so., guard).

Opener: Paul Crosby Tip-off Tournament vs. Big Spring

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CAMP HILL LIONS

Coach: Kevin Rutherford

Classification: A

Division: Colonial

Last year: 12-13/Lost in first round of 3-A playoffs to Lebanon Catholic 55-46.

Key losses: Brandon Telatovich (7.0 ppg), Mike Skoda (3.8 ppg)

Key returning players: Lucas Hamm (Jr., 4.2 ppg), Robert Fitzsimmons (Sr., 11.1 ppg, 48 3-ptr), Jordan Weber (Sr., 6.0 ppg), Alex Patchin (Jr., 2.5 ppg), Rob Wilson (Sr.), Evan Reilly (Sr., 7.0 ppg), Ryan Stroup (Sr., 9.5 ppg).

Newcomers: Jamie Karl, Alex Wolfe, Ronnie Miller

Opener: Bermudian Springs Tip-off vs. Susquenita

Notes: Lions have appeared in the district playoffs in five consecutive seasons.

Coach’s comment: “We are looking to build on the success from the last two years.”

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CARLISLE THUNDERING HERD

Coach: Emery Cook

Classification: AAAA

Division: Commonwealth

Last year: 14-11 overall/Lost to Reading in first round of 3-AAAA playoffs 64-49

Key Losses: Pat Wilson (13.3 ppg); Tyler Hall (transfer to Cedar Cliff).

Key returning players: Corey Henneghan (13.6 ppg, 59 3-ptr), Anthony Coleman (12.7 ppg), Jeremy Henninger (9.7 ppg), Kevin Pollack

Newcomers: Nick Lello, Reggie Oberton, Jon Goodman, Johnathan Evans, Ben Knight, Lee Townsend, Tracy Chandler

Opener: Own tournament, December 5, against Strath Haven.

Notes: Henneghan started fast last season scoring 89 points in the first four games of the season. ... Herd has not beaten rival Harrisburg since 2003. They meet for the first time on Thurs. Dec. 11.

Coach’s comments: “If we can take care of the basketball and stay free of injuries, I think we’re just as good as any team around.”

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CEDAR CLIFF COLTS

Coach: Jim Rowe

Classification: AAAA

Division: Commonwealth

Last year: 16 -11 overall/lost in consolation round of 3-AAAA playoffs to Red Land, 49-46.

Key Losses: Aaron Caulfield (11.9 ppg, 34 3-ptr), Brody Ponder (5.1 ppg), Chris Sempeles

Key returning players: DJ Rowe (sr., 18.2 ppg, 61 3-ptr), Travis Mettler (sr., 12.1 ppg), Matt Miller (sr., 7.4 ppg), Chris Parthemore, Renny Parthemore

Newcomers: Tyler Hall (3.0 ppg at Carlisle)

Opener: West Shore Tournament vs. Susquehannock

Notes: Hall transferred from Carlisle. …defeated Hempfield in the first round of the 3-AAAA tournament. ... finished third in Commonwealth last season. …swept season series from Harrisburg last season.

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CUMBERLAND VALLEY EAGLES

Coach: John Albert

Classification: AAAA

Division: Commonwealth

Last year: 8-16 overall

Key losses: Chris Jordan (11.7 ppg.), Eric Jordan (10.0 ppg), Chad Barnett (9.5 ppg), Dave Pulaski (8.0 ppg). Tyler Bolton-Fuhrman (4.9 ppg).

Key returning players: Jon Anzur (sr., guard), Mike Turley (sr., guard), Will Kissinger (sr., forward).

Opener: Twin Valley tip-off tournament

Notes: Went 1-6 down the stretch last season.

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EAST PENNSBORO PANTHERS

Coach: Steve Laudenslager

Classification: AAA

Division: Colonial

Last year: 5-18 overall

Key losses: Steve Carter (10.7 ppg), Cody Avey (7.7 ppg)

Key returning players: T. J. Ondesko (8.2 ppg), Bryce Wilson.

Newcomers: Wes Strayer, Grigoriy Stepanyan, Nate Conrad, Matt Greenholt, Bobby Lehman, David Unitis, Charlie Heisley

Opener: Gettysburg Tournament vs. New Oxford

Coach’s comments: “We will try to compete every night. We will work hard every night.”

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MECHANICSBURG WILDCATS

Coach: Bob Strickler

Classification: AAAA

Division: Keystone

Last Year: 21-11 overall/Lost in second round of PIAA tournament to Norristown 66-50

Key Losses: Chris White (8.8 ppg), Greg Bretz (7.9 ppg), Steve Edgar (6.6 ppg), Will Laubach (5.0 ppg)

Key returning players: Jake Zeigler (15.4 ppg, 55 3-ptr) Dylan Edgar (5.7 ppg), Tommy Meceli (2.0 ppg).

Newcomers: David Slagle, Matt Becker, Matt Dunn, Andrew Bohn, Matt Koveleski

Opener: Carlisle Tournament against Reading Holy Name.

Notes: Zeigler scored 139 points in eight district and state playoff games last season. ...win over State College was the first ever in the AAAA state tournament. ... Zeigler was the starting quarterback on the football team and threw for 1,288 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Coaches Comments: “Obviously, replacing the guards we lost to graduation will be key. We will have much more depth than we normally have, potentially 10 deep, which will allow us to try some things that we haven’t done in the past. Guys are working hard and we expect to be very competitive. It will be important for us to get some early confidence because our schedule is not easy playing in the Keystone Division. We are excited for the start of the season and see what this group can accomplish.”

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NORTHERN POLAR BEARS

Coach: Nick Butt

Classification: AA

Division: Mid Penn Colonial Division

Last year: 10-14

Key losses: Rhett Sheibley (15.8 ppg, 45 3-ptr).

Key returning players: Robbie Bleiler (Sr., 19.6 ppg), Pat Plassio; Ryan Aumiller; Brynn Violette; Scott Reeder

Newcomers: Jordan Reed; Hank Sanders; Mike McDonald; Ryan Steel

Opener: Annville Cleona Tip Off Tournament vs. Middletown

Notes: Bleiler led the area in scoring last season…Polar Bears last made the district playoffs back in 1998 when they advanced to the second round losing to eventual runner-up Susquehanna, coached by current Carlisle head coach Emery Cook.

Coach’s comments: “With strong veteran leadership, school enthusiasm. High expectations, solid role players and unselfish young men, this is going to be an exciting season in Dillsburg.”

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RED LAND PATRIOTS

Coach: Scott Slayton

Classification: AAAA

Division: Keystone

Last year: 22-7 overall / Lost in first round of the PIAA playoffs to Pennsbury 61-55

Key losses: Kyle Otstot (8.6 ppg, 51 3-ptr), Kendall Hinze (11.4 ppg), Bart McCardle (4.9 ppg) (graduation); Jermaine Marshall (19.2 ppg), Chad Christen (injury).

Key returning players: Nick Liddell (8.9 ppg, 44 3-ptr), Max Liddell (24 3-ptr), Mike McCullough

Newcomers: Stephen Zack , Mike Zangari, Nick Diller, Nico Delerme, Dan Yinger

Opener: West Shore Tip Off against Conestoga Valley

Notes: Marshall is the reigning Sentinel Player of the Year and has signed to play at Penn State. ... Patriots finished third in the Keystone last season. ...finished as the fifth seed in the 3-AAAA playoffs last season.

Coach’s comments: “We’ve never backed down from a challenge before and we’ll answer the bell on this one as well.”

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SHIPPENSBURG GREYHOUNDS

Coach: Jerry Rosenberry

Classification: AAA

Division: Capital

Last year: 14-10/Lost 67-44 to Steel-High in the first round of the District 3 Class AAA playoffs.

Key losses: Craig Van Scyoc (16.9 ppg), Whit Crabtree (12.3 ppg), Ricky Ott (9.7).

Key returning players: Kelly Hess (sr., G); Kyle Plasterer (sr., G, 6-0); Vinny Reed (sr., Post, 5-11); Taylor Corman (sr., G, 6-0); Tucker Wrights (sr., G, 5-9).

Newcomers: Derek Boone (So., G, 5-9); Travis Faust (Jr., Post, 6-4); Lamar Warren-Reid (Sr., Post, 5-10); Dereck Mills (So., G, 5-7).

Opener: 12/6 at Gettysburg Tip-Off Tournament.

Notes: This is Rosenberry’s first year as head coach.

Coach’s comments: “We don’t have that one outstanding all-star player, just a bunch of guys working hard and willing to work together. If all goes well, we’ll have a different leading scorer every game.”

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SUSQUENITA BLACKHAWKS

Coach: Don Hostetler

Classification: AAA

Division: Colonial

Last year: 5-19 overall

Key losses: Mike Wells (13.4 ppg), Zach Dicks (15.2 ppg), Nick Velgos

Key returning players: Caleb Haverl, Cody Strohecker, Joe Krzykowski, Nick Supko

Newcomers: Mike Lindgren, Jeraye Dennis, Mike Magaro, Brett Hammaker, Cody Prickett, Taylor Nace, Ethan Reichert

Opener: Bermudian Springs Tip-off tournament vs. Camp Hill

Coach’s comments: “After losing six seniors and most of the team’s height, this group will need to learn an offense and defense system that suits their ability and size. If the learning curve is a small one, there is enough athletic ability in this group to compete each and every night.”

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TRINITY SHAMROCKS

Coach: Larry Kostelac

Classification: AA

Division: Capital

Last year: 20-9/Won 3-AA title, lost to Strawberry Mansion in PIAA quarterfinals

Key losses: Christian Kuntz (injury, 6.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg), R.J. Dill (5.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg), Eric Pochak (8.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 28 steals), Chris DiSanto, Joe Kindler, Brendan King, Alex Shope.

Key returning players: Eric Kindler (17.9 ppg, 61 3-ptrs, 5.1 rpg, 31 steals), Matt Donahue (9.9 ppg, 3.2 apg, 46 steals, 41 3-ptr), Steve Bruening (3.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg), Kevin Agnew (so. guard), Colt Kostelac

Newcomers: Alex Wise (6’5, soph), Mike Hychko (6’2, soph), Marcus Holt (5’11, soph.), Matt Connors (jr.), Mike Diminick (jr.), Mike Rohm (jr.), Jack Osborne (so.)

Opener: 12/6 vs.York Catholic

Coach’s comments: “We are a young and inexperienced team that has potential to get better as the season progresses. Our success will depend on team chemistry and how quickly these younger, inexperienced players acclimate once the bright lights are turned on.”

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WEST PERRY MUSTANGS

Coach: Michael Urich

Classification: AAA

Division: Capital

Last year: 5-17 overall

Key losses: Zach Rice (13.1 ppg), Ben Dunkelberger, Eric Stone, Jeremy Innerst

Key returning players: Dayne Abeling (sr., forward 5.7 ppg), Brandon Varner (jr., guard), Jade Wilson (so., center)

Newcomers: Ed Kent (sr., center), Jordan Hess (sr., guard), Kevin Reisinger (sr., forward), Charlie Dungelberger (jr., guard), Bryce Stambaugh (fr., guard), Jesse Urich (fr., guard)

Opener: Mifflinburg Tip-off Tournament

Notes: Lost 10 of last 11 to close out last season. ... just three seasons removed from a 25-7 season, but has gone just 8-37 in the last two seasons.