With the 2006 Division 1 state championship in hand and six returning players - including the team's scoring leader and a 6-foot-8-inch force already committed to Boston University - one would think BC High coach Bill Loughnane would feel confident heading into this season.
But three days away from the opener against perennial South power Brockton, Loughnane feels like he's "back to square one" as he focuses on his new players.
"We've been going through a lot of fundamentals and teachings," he said. "And it's on both sides, offense and defense. Right now, we're trying to get everyone on the same page, get them to trust their teammates, and put them in the position to win.
"For us to be successful, they'll have to play well and they've had some excellent coaching on the junior varsity side . . . but they have to be ready to bring it up to the next level. They all work very hard, but we're going to have to see how they react to the Brocktons of the world. They're going to see a whole different speed of the game."
Not only that, the Eagles took a major hit when Globe All-Scholastic guard Chris Hurley took his 10 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals per game to college (Saint Michael's). But BC High still has plenty of firepower.
At the forefront will be a core of seniors led by the future Terrier, Jake O'Brien. Joining him will be 6-5 senior guard Tim McKinney, who led the squad with a tidy 12-point average last season.
Loughnane also will rely on senior guard Brian Mahoney, who has become a defensive standout. Rounding out the core is senior forward Ryan Sherry, who brings ample shooting and rebounding skills to the table.
BC High could be pushed in the Catholic Conference by Division 2 Catholic Memorial and St. John's Prep and Ryan O'Connell. The 6-3 senior guard led EMass in scoring last winter at 28.1 ppg.
As for Brockton, it's also "breaking in the new" as Bob Boen takes over for 24-year coach Victor Ortiz. Boen also gets back a good group of players, including last year's leading scorer, senior Kyle Geary.
However, early injuries have caused Boen to curtail plans to expand the offense with quicker possessions. Although the Boxers opened up strong last week with a 95-72 win over Bridgewater-Raynham, Boen dubbed the win "disjointed" and feels he has some work to do.
With the injuries, Boen feels his starting five won't crystallize until around Christmas. So patience is his top priority.
"I want to do too many things with the kids," he said. "I'm having some trouble keeping myself limited. I have to tell myself that right now it's better to do some things well instead of trying to do so many things."
Elsewhere in the South, Taunton will have to cope with the loss of three starters to graduation, but looks to make another run to the playoffs behind guard Apollo Wade. He's off to a hot start with a pair of 18-point nights in wins over Tiverton (R.I.) and Arlington. Madison Park looks to take control of the City League behind 6-6 center Peterson Bernard, who has drawn the attention of several Division 1 colleges - some local (URI, Providence), some not (Tulane, Wichita State, Temple).
"He had a great summer and we'll be counting on him to carry us and lead us on," coach Dennis Wilson said of Bernard, who averaged 17 points and 13 rebounds in 2006-07. "He's the type of player that can change a game . . . we've been preparing him for the double-team during practices."
The City League should feature a hot race between the Cardinals and Charlestown, who opened last Tuesday with a 92-56 romp over Haverhill.
Boen and Wilson also believe East Boston will have a solid team, despite the loss of three starters, including scoring leader Tyrone Hughes to the Taft School.
In the North, the Merrimack Valley Conference looks set for a tight fight as well. Central Catholic and Andover appear to be the early favorites. Central will rely on the towering frontcourt of 6-5 forward Adrian Gonzales (15.7 ppg; 9 rpg) and 6-9 center Carson Desroisiers, a sophomore. Andover will counter with a returning group of four starters and seven seniors, including forwards Tristan Shannon (12 ppg) and Peter White, and guards Derrick Beasley and Greg Cook. Expect Shannon, an MVC All-Star last season, to lead the way.
Also expecting to make noise in the MVC is Lowell, which will have to be patient as its leader, 6-5 All-Scholastic guard Matt Welch, recovers from a hand injury suffered during the football season. Welch averaged better than 18 ppg last winter.
Lexington will only have one senior with ample experience in Scott Tavares, but managed to keep its 39-game winning streak in the Middlesex League intact against Melrose Tuesday (67-41). Look for sophomore David Miller (18 points) and junior Danny O'Keefe (14) to step up.
In the Greater Boston League, Cambridge will try to replicate its success as Division 1 North champion last year. The Falcons entered tournament play with seven losses and a No. 14 seed before winning five straight games to earn the sectional title and a trip to the Garden.
