Watch out for Spellman
Pope John one to keep an eye on, too
DIV. 3-4 BOYS HOOP
Nothing pleases a coach more than having five regulars back from a tournament team.
That is the case at Cardinal Spellman, where longtime coach Mike Perry has all the ingredients to make a long run into March. The Cardinals return guard A.J. Jaramillo, forwards Mike Spencer, Tyrone Smith-McCray and Craig Faria along with center Will Cournan from last season’s 14-7 team.
Another team with big expectations in Division 3 South is Bishop Stang, which returns a solid nucleus in guards Damien Perry, Justin Lopes and Dijuan Chumack, forward Malik Morris and center Sam Golden. Norwell is a perennial contender and this year should be no different as guards Ethan Robbins and Nick Fantom are back along with forward Matt Malone.
The South Coast Conference figures to be a dogfight among the likes of Wareham, Apponequet and Old Rochester. Wareham has a solid backcourt duo in Dominic Mello and Jamaul Simms, Old Rochester will be keyed by guard Jason Gamache and forward Bennett Fox, while Apponequet returns guards Andy Johnson, Adam Seablom and forward Wyatt Pinto.
Burke should have one of the better backcourts in the Boston City League with Levar Williams and Devante Jamison back. Monomoy will be led by guards Nick Meehan and Eli Nickerson.
In Div. 3 North, St. Mary’s moves up a division after reaching the Div. 4 state final a year ago. Returning for the Spartans are guard Jalen Echevarria and forward Stephen Fama, while a pair of transfers, Joey AbateWalsh and Chibuikem Onwuogu, should step in and help.
Arlington Catholic struggled through a four-win season in 2017, but should be much improved. Spencer Sullivan and Michael Burke return to the backcourt, while Cam Garber and transfer Jack Connaughton add size up front.
Sectional champion Watertown will look to All-Scholastic center John Korte and guard Julio Fulcar to help defend the crown. Bedford reached the sectional final last year and returns a solid nucleus led by forwards Pete Kapanides, Malachi Hazelton and Casey Millar along with guard Jack Cowan,
The Cape Ann League will be a nightly struggle as four teams in this section should be solid.
Pentucket returns a trio of double-figure scorers in guards Nate McGrail, Spencer Pacy and Gus Flaherty, Billy Arsenault returns for Lynnfield, while Newburyport could have one of the top players in the division in junior guard Casey McLaren.
Hamilton-Wenham moves up and will lean on forward James Lustig and guard Billy Whelan. Whittier relies on the 1-2 punch of guards Anthony Buckley and Demarco Scarpegnato.
Leo Boucher moves over to Pope John after St. Clement folded and he might have a team capable of winning Div. 4 North. The Tigers will lean on guards Michael Thompson, Mekhi Collins and Angel Price Espada as well as center Marques Bouyer.
Matignon will lean on guard Jayson Clayton, center Connor Byrne and forwards Jarret Byrne and Phil Trapani, while Lowell Catholic is relying on forwards Brian Saroni and Owen Kelley.
Look for Winthrop to be a factor in the section as guards Devin Pulsifer and Tayjaun McKenzie are back. Fenway returns a pair of all-BCL guards in Damien Barbosa and Melvin Cuevas-Jeudy as well as center Romario Lauriston and point guard Devante Sweatman.
In Div. 4 South, Cathedral continues to be the team to beat. Coach Larry Merritt will lean on guards Julian Howell and Khalil Blair to continue the run of success.
Cohasset took a big hit when standout center Chase Bomeisler was lost for the season with a knee injury and will look to forward Thatcher Stone to help offset the loss. Mashpee has guards Devaun Ford and Mike Fraser back in the fold once again.
Nantucket guard Kalik Liburd entered the season with 854 points and he’ll team with Maxx Cunningham in the backcourt. Holbrook will score points in bushels with guards Kyree LaPlanche, Jeremiah King and forward Daniel Correia back.