AnnArbor.com's second of seven winter sports previews takes a look at Washtenaw County's boys basketball teams.

James Kelly (sr., 6-7, C), Pioneer: Capable of a triple-double with points, rebounds and blocks if shooters dare drive the lane. Kelly has the physical presence and athleticism to dominate a game on both ends of the court.

Dave LaMore (sr., 6-8, C), Dexter: The Cornell-bound senior averaged 11 points and six rebounds last year for the Dreadnaughts.

AJ Mathew (sr., 6-3, G), Huron: A starter for the River Rats since his freshman year, the University of Toledo-bound Mathew is the leader of the River Rats and averaged 14.8 points and 4.2 assists per game last season.

Dante Williams (sr., 6-6, G), Huron: The Oakland University-bound shooting guard showed he can dominate on the biggest stage with 19 and 24 points in last year’s Class A state semifinals and finals while shooting better than 50 percent.

CENTRAL ACADEMY FALCONS Last season, Central Academy only had one player with varsity experience, Sami Shalabi, who averaged more than 20 points per game for the Falcons. This year Rushdi Issa’s squad has a wealth of experience, with five seniors on the squad.

Coach: Rushdi Issa (3rd year). Last Season: 11-10. Key Returners: Sami Shalabi (sr., 6-5, F/C), Omar Hasan (jr., 5-6, G), Fadi Issa (sr., 5-8, G), Lauy Shalabi (jr., 5-10, G). Key Newcomers: Dealand Isa (sr., 6-2, F/C), Mohamad Isa (so., 5-11, G). Strength: Offense. Shalabi and Hasan were both top-10 scorers in Washtenaw County last season. Weakness: Defense. Coach Rushdi Issa says: “We’re looking good, we’re healthy and nothing can substitute for that experience they got last year.”

CHELSEA BULLDOGS Chelsea is a big team in general, but absent a legitimate big man. Troubling, since long-time coach Robin Raymond says the Southeastern Conference is as big as he remembers it being. The Bulldogs will try to take advantage of their size and athleticism on the perimeter and offset shortcomings down low by getting out and running an-up tempo offense. In the half court, patience will be key to the team’s success. Chelsea is an experienced group with a four-year player in Patrick Roberts and four others playing varsity for their third year.

Coach: Robin Raymond (30th year). Last Season: 13-10, Tied with Lincoln, Adrian and Dexter for second in SEC White. Lost in district final to Milan. Key Returners: Patrick Roberts (sr., 6-1, G), Spencer Mykala (sr., 6-2, F), Jack McDougal (jr., 6-0, G), Charlie McCalla (sr., 6-3, G), Mason Borders (sr., 6-4, sr.), Jake Steinhauer (jr., 6-5, C). Key Newcomers: None. Strength: Experience and athleticism. Weakness: Rebounding, interior defense, finishing games against good teams. Coach Robin Raymond says: “We’re further along now than we were a year ago at this time. Our six experienced players need to lead us.”

DEXTER DREADNAUGHTS The Dreadnaughts return three starters from last year’s squad that was 15-8 and advanced to a Class A district final, losing to state finalist Huron. Dexter has good size as a whole, so teams won’t be able to get away with keying on Cornell-bound center Dave LaMore. Coach Randy Swoverland is very confident in senior guard Matt Muchmore’s ability.

Coach: Randy Swoverland (17th year). Last Season: 15-8. Tied for second in SEC White. Lost in district final to Huron. Key Returners: Dave LaMore (sr., 6-8, C), Matt Muchmore (sr., 6-1, G), Jay Lewis (jr., 5-10, G), Tyler Dunham (sr., 6-3 F). Key Newcomers: Steve Miller (jr., 6-6, F/C), Jacob VanHoof (jr., 6-1, G), Ryan Kimball (jr., 6-2, F/G). Stength: Experience and size. Weakness: No proven back ups and outside shooting. Coach Randy Swoverland says: “I think we have two major pieces in a veteran, talented post player and a talented guard. We’re just trying to find the pieces around them.”

EASTERN WASHTENAW MULTICULTURAL CHARGERS Former UTEP and Wayne State player Clifford Russell will be making his head coaching debut for the Chargers. As athletic director and coach, he feels he can build a solid foundation for the first-year varsity squad.

Coach: Clifford Russell (1st year). Last Season: Sub .500. Played an independent schedule and did not compete in districts. Key Returners: Shadi Farha (sr., 6-0, G/F), Sami Farha (jr., 5-8, G), Kornelius Saxton (fr., 6-0, G/F), Sultan Farha (sr., 6-5, C) Salem Farha (sr., 6-1, F), Adam Farha (fr., 6-2, F/G). Key Newcomers: N/A. Strength: The Farhas … and defensive toughness. Weakness: Lack of height. Knowledge of the game. Coach Clifford Russell says: “It’s a challenge to build a program, but athletics are an important experience in school and these players are working hard to become better.”

FATHER GABRIEL RICHARD FIGHTING IRISH The Fighting Irish lost a ton of experience to graduation, including Catholic High School League Athlete of the Year Josh Herbeck. Transfers Luther Page and Eastern Michigan-bound Darren Washington never really got in a rhythm last year, and coach Pete Schoch expects big things out of them. Still, the Irish’s schedule is as tough as any as they move up to the CHSL Central Division and play out-of-conference games against Inkster, Pioneer and Detroit Country Day.

Coach: Pete Schoch (6th year). Last Season: 12-9, Catholic High School League runners up. Key Returners: Darren Washington (sr., 6-9, C), Luther Page (sr., 6-6, F), Connor Dishman (sr., 5-8, G), Adam Thomasson (sr., 6-1, G/F), Don Eaton (sr., 6-4, F), Ryan Jenkins (sr., 5-10, G). Key Newcomers: Myles Lockridge (so., 5-8, G), Kamari Davis (so., 5-9, G). Strength: Athleticism and length. Inside play. Weakness: Outside shooting. Coach Pete Schoch says: “I worry, with our schedule, about the kids losing confidence. We could be a really good basketball team and be below .500.”

GREENHILLS GRYPHONS Greenhills is very inexperienced and has practically no big men, which is not exactly a winning equation. The Gryphons will try to spread the ball around and run to offset their disadvantages down low. Greenhills does switch to the Red Division in the Michigan Independent Athletic conference to compete against smaller schools. A unique obstacle for Greenhills is a month without games. The school doesn’t schedule games during exams or the holiday break, so the Gryphons will have two games of experience by mid-January. Coach: Andrew Wright (7th year). Last Season: Finished 8th out of nine in MIAC Blue. Lost in first round of districts to Napoleon. Key Returners: Al Braun (sr., 5-11, G), Matt Jong (sr., 5-11, G). Key Newcomers: Too early to tell. Strength: A good pretty good shooting and ball handling team. Weakness: Lack of height, inexperience. Coach Andrew Wright says: “The Red Division is a better fit for us. We’ll play more schools comparable in terms of size and competition and our height won’t hurt us as much.”

HURON RIVER RATS The River Rats had a magical run that ended in the Class A state finals last year, and nine of last year’s 11-man rotation return, including Division I commits A.J. Mathew (Toledo) and Dante Williams (Oakland) and their double-digit point averages. There will be a huge target on Huron’s back this year, and they’re not hiding from it, with a schedule that includes Kalamazoo Central, Dayton (Ohio) Dunbar, Romulus and Detroit Cass Tech. “If we’re going to be the team we want to be, we have to get better every game,” said coach Waleed Samaha.

Coach: Waleed Samaha (8th year). Last Season: 23-5, SEC Red champions, lost to Kalamazoo Central in Class A state finals. Key Returners: AJ Mathew (sr., 6-3, G), Dante Williams (sr., 6-6, G), Matt Hastings (sr., 6-3, G), Kyle Baker (sr., 6-6, F), Mike Lewis (jr., 6-3, F), Jesse Buchsbaum (sr., 6-10, F), Jeff Hugan (sr., 6-5, G), Andre Bond (jr., 6-2, G), Andre Burch (sr., 5-9, G). Key Newcomers: Kunle Adewole (sr., 6-8, F), Kendal Thomas (jr., 5-8, G), Cameron Haywood (jr., 5-9, G), Allen Thomas (jr., 6-0, G), Jared Weeks (jr., 6-6, F). Strength: Experience, character, focus. Weakness: Offensive and defensive rebounding. Coach Waleed Samaha says: “I tried to give them days off in the summer, worried about burnout, and they wouldn’t have it. I’ve never seen a team so focused, driven and committed in the weight room, on the track, on the court.”

MILAN BIG REDS Last year the Big Reds were 11-12 and district champs in coach Josh Tropea’s first year at the helm. Not bad considering the Big Reds were 3-39 in the two seasons prior. Six key contributors return, including leading scorer Andre Duffin. More motivating than the team’s success, however, was its season-ending loss to eventual Class B state runner up Lansing Sexton. “We were manhandled in regionals and that showed us how much work we have to do in the weight room and on the court if we want to get to that level,” said Tropea.

Coach: Josh Tropea (2nd year) Last Season: 11-12; district champs. Key Returners: Andre Duffin (jr., 6-2, G), C.J. Turnage (so., 6-4, G), Elijah Lewis (jr., 5-11, G) Tory Martinsen (sr., 6-4, F), Spencer Denison (sr., 6-5, F/C), Eric Harrison (sr., 5-8 G). Key Newcomers: Jiles Neely (jr., 6-4, G). Strength: Diversity on offense. Milan has five players between 6-2 and 6-5 that can play multiple positions. Weakness: The team’s biggest focus in the offseason has been becoming better defensively. Coach says: “We were babies last year and exceeded my expectations. This year I’ll be disappointed if we don’t compete for a Huron League championship and a district title.”

PIONEER PIONEERS Last year’s team defeated Huron during the regular season, prior to the River Rats’ run to the state finals. Don’t think that seeing their cross-town rivals have that success didn’t motivate the Pioneers. While 2009-10 was all about breaking in 10 players new to the varsity squad, those 10 now have a year’s worth of varsity experience and seven of them were in the regular rotation last year. Pioneer’s frontcourt of James Kelly and Darian Hill is as talented as any in the area. If they can stay on the court - both missed time due to eligibility issues last year - Pioneer could be scary good.

Coach: Rex Stanczak (6th year). Last Season: 13-8, second place in SEC Red, lost in districts, Key Returners: Jimmy Holman (jr., 5-11, G), Nick Mrjoian (sr., 6-3, F), Aaron Schoenfeldt (sr., 6-3, F) James Kelly (sr., 6-7, C), Jeremiah Strode (5-10, sr., G), Anthony Hugan (sr., 5-9, G), Darian Hill (sr., 6-5, F). Key Newcomers: Grant Grimard (sr. 5-10, G), Mike Kielczewski (sr., 6-4, F/C). Strength: Man-to-man defense. Pioneer hopes to create more points off turnovers than it did last year. Weakness: Perimeter shooting and rebounding. Coach Rex Stanzak says: “I’d be lying if I said we weren’t motivated by (Huron’s) run. Since I’ve been at Pioneer, we’ve had the upper hand for the most part. Our guys want to be back as that team.”

RUDOLF STEINER STORM When coach Bob Cosey says he doesn’t have much of a bench, he’s not using it as a figure of speech. With only seven players on the roster, the Storm will have to stay out of foul trouble and be well-conditioned.

Coach: Bob Cosey (10th year). Last Season: 5-15. Key Returners: Jake Navarra (sr., 6-2, F), Koji Vroon (so., 5-9, G), Aram Gibson (so., 5-10, G/F), Josh Howell (jr., 6-2, G/F). Key Newcomers: Tyler Kieras (jr., 6-4, C). Strength: Vroon, last year’s freshman point guard, has a year of invaluable experience at running the team. Weakness: Numbers and inexperience. Coach Bob Cosey says: “Our success will come down to us making the right decisions, even when we’re tired. With seven players, we’re going to get tired.”

SKYLINE EAGLES Goodbye to the independent schedule and occasional JV game, hello Southeastern Conference. With teams like Huron, Pioneer and Ypsilanti on the schedule, it may be a tough first full varsity season for the Eagles. Coach Mike Lovelace thinks they have the talent to be competitive, but says he is still waiting for some players to establish themselves as leaders on the team.

Coach: Mike Lovelace (3rd year). Last Season: 5-1 against varsity competition. Key Returners: Jordan Woods (jr., 6-3, F), Theron Wilson (jr., 6-2, G/F), Marquis Wesley (jr., 6-2, F), Jarrius Mann (jr., 6-5, C), Peter Baaker (so., 6-0, G), Jack Clark (so., 6-0, G/F). Key Newcomers: Sakthi Sambanban (jr., 5-10, G). Strength: Strong point guard play; athleticism. Weakness: Leadership and physical toughness. Coach Mike Lovelace says: “When I started this job, I thought that this year would be the toughest on the players and the coaching staff.”

LINCOLN RAILSPLITTERS Just one starter, Deshawn Clifton, returns from last year’s squad, which won the school’s second-consecutive district title and was very reliant on senior talent. Coach Mike Foley feels his players are up to the challenge of continuing to build a winning tradition previous classes established. The team is not very tall, but extremely fast. Foley hopes to press and create transition scoring opportunities.

Coach: Mike Foley (7th year). Last Season: 16-9, tied for second in SEC White. Key Returners: Deshawn Clifton (sr., 6-1), Jeremy Williams (G, 6-1, sr.) Mahamoudou Kaba (sr., 6-3, C). Key Newcomers: Rare Williams (G, 5-11, jr.) Brendan Griffith (jr, 6-2, F), Demarcus Washington (6-2, jr., F), TJ O’Bryan (6-2, jr., G/F) Strength: Speed. Weakness: Lack of size. Coach says: “This is the fastest team I’ve ever had. We’re going to try to wreak havoc on the defensive end.”

MANCHESTER FLYING DUTCHMEN In coach Brad Gerbe’s first year, the Flying Dutchmen won just five games and were near the bottom of the Cascades Conference … and that was with a talented group of seniors. Gerbe won’t have as much experience to work with, but everyone is now more familiar with his style and vice versa. Plus, the Dutchmen have an unofficial consultant to help. Gerbe’s father, Bill Gerbe, retired last year after 32 years as a high school coach. Bill can’t help but be in his son’s ear now that he doesn’t have a team of his own. “When he gets out on the court, he could still kick all our butts,” Brad says of his father.

Coach: Brad Gerbe (2nd year). Last Season: 5-16. Key Returners: Josh Blades (sr., 6-4, F/G), Scott Wharam (sr., 5-10, G), Brandon Casey (5-11, sr., F), Josh Finley (jr., 6-0, F/C). Key Newcomers: Jake Osborne (jr., 6-1, C/F ), David Luckas (jr., 5-10, G), Devin Jose (jr., 5-11, G/F). Strength: Depth. Gerbe is very confident in his first 4-5 guys off of the bench. Weakness: Replacing last year’s seniors. Coach Brad Gerbe says: “We were able to do in week and a half what took us a month last year because they know what’s going on and in terms of inbounds, offensive terminology, and getting familiar. This allows us to spend more time working on the fundamentals and defense.” SALINE HORNETS Last year, not one player on Saline’s roster had ever scored in a varsity game. While this year’s team still only has three seniors, the experience level is way up. The Hornets’ top two scorers from last season, David Hendrickson and Reece Dils, are back and will be relied upon heavily. Dils, who primarily played point guard as a freshman, should get more open looks as he rotates to the off guard. Coach Jay Plitzuweit also hopes the move keeps Dils from wearing down late in games. Even if Saline is improved, the entire SEC Red Division should be stronger across the board, which could make for a tough season.

Coach: Jay Plitzuweit (4th year) Last Season: 6-15. Key Returners: David Hendrickson (sr., 6-1, G), Reece Dils (so., 6-0, G), Michael Smutny (jr., 6-8, C), Derek Owings (jr., 6-4, F), Garrett Stark (jr., 6-3, G). Key Newcomers: Jackson Lambert (jr., 6-5, C). Strength: Shooting. Weakness: Lack of athleticism and team speed. Coach Jay Plitzuweit says: “We’re going to screen you to death until we get a shot. We’ll neutralize athleticism by being patient.”

WASHTENAW CHRISTIAN WILDCATS The Wildcats will be under the direction of first-year coach Aaron Hoesli. Not a very tall team, Washtenaw Christian will try to neutralize opponents’ height advantage by getting out on the fast break.

Coach: Aaron Hoesli (1st year) Last Season: Above .500. Key Returners: Kevin Stout (sr., 6-0, G) Mathias Donat (so., 6-1, F), Nathan Krichner (jr., 6-0, F/C) Key Newcomers: Brian Stout (fr., 5-9, G) Josiah Doanat (fr., 5-9, G) Strength: Heart, work ethic. Weakness: Lack of height. Coach Aaron Hoesli says: “I’m really looking forward to this season. They’re a great group that is very happy to do everything I ask to get better.”

WHITMORE LAKE TROJANS Whitmore Lake graduated nine seniors from its team that set all sorts of records for scoring and 3-point shooting in its Grinnell College system that uses a full-court press, a barrage of long-distance shooting and subbing all five players every 40 seconds. Also gone is the coach who brought the system, Dave Arnold, now coaching at Monroe. Former Trojans girls coach Casey Livingston says the team still hopes to shoot a lot of threes.

Coach: Casey Livingston (1st year). Last Season: 14-7. Second in Tri-County Conference. Key Returners: Tim Avey (6-1, sr., G/F). Key Newcomers: Jason Moll (jr., 6-5, C). Strength: Shooting and depth. Weakness: Lack of experience, boxing out and rebounding. Coach Casey Livingston says: “I think we can be competitive in our league, but we’ll be inexperienced and need to learn a lot on the fly.”

WILLOW RUN FLYERS The Flyers lost nine seniors to graduation. While second-year coach George Woods hopes to still be competitive, he thinks it will be a growing process. Moving down from Class B to Class C helps Willow Run’s chances of a playoff run. Woods believes the addition of former University of Wisconsin player Janetta Johnson to his coaching staff will help the program develop tremendously.

Coach: George Woods (2nd year) Last Season: 13-9, lost in second round of districts. Key Returners: Desmond Brown (sr., 5-3, G), NyShaun Marks (jr., 6-0, G/F), Deqwantes Henderson (sr., 6-4, C), Tavaris Davis (sr., 5-7, G), Jalen Lloyd (jr., 6-4, C/F), Ja’len Griffin (sr., 6-1, F). Key Newcomers: Aaron Richmond (sr., 6-0, G), DeShawn Gohl (jr., 5-8, G). Strength: Speed. Weakness: Inexperienced at varsity level. Coach George Woods says: “We may take some lumps, but we’re going to give out a few. They’re buying into the team concept.”

YPSILANTI PHOENIX With eight players listed at 6-foot-3 or taller, Ypsilanti has as a team as tall as many college rosters. The majority of the players are underclassmen who were undefeated at the junior varsity level last year, a team that Brooks said would have given the SEC White champion varsity squad a run for its money. The Phoenix will look to push the ball and run more than they did last year to take advantage of their height and athleticism.

Coach: Steve Brooks (7th year) Last Season: 16-5, SEC White champions. Key Returners: Derrek Richardson (jr., 6-3, G), Tristan Simmons (jr., 6-4, G), Carlos Williams (sr., 6-0, G), Mamabu Ba (jr., 6-6, F/G), Lavoante Davis (so., 6-7, F/C), Aaerion Allen (sr., 6-5, F/G), Austin Thomas (sr., 5-10, G). Key Newcomers: Kaleb Baldwin (jr., 6-4, F/G), Marcus Palmer (jr., 6-5, F), Matt Ray (jr., 6-4, F/G) , Ajay Stovall (jr., 5-11, G) Darryl Tipton (jr., 6-2, G). Strength: Height, length, athleticism and rebounding. Weakness: Decision making, immaturity. Coach Steve Brooks says: “I never had a team with that kind of length. They’re tall and they go against each other every day, so they learn to play against that kind of length.”