• The Post-Gazette previews the boys basketball season with a look at the top five teams in each classification, plus five players to watch.

1. New Castle (17-9)

— Different class, same expectations for New Castle, which has advanced to at least the WPIAL semifinals 11 years in a row. Coach Ralph Blundo, who has won six WPIAL titles, returns four starters. Mike Wells, a 6-3 junior guard-forward, is the headliner. He averaged 20 points a game as a sophomore on his way to all-section honors in Class 4A. Senior forward Sheldon Cox, junior guard Michael Graham and sophomore guard Isaiah Boice also return. Senior forward Donny Cade started a few games last season, as well.

9) — After ending a 52-year WPIAL championship drought, the Mustangs will try to go back-to-back. With star Rodney Gallagher back, you’ve got to like their chances. Gallagher, a 6-foot sophomore guard, burst on the scene last season when he averaged 22.7 points and became the first freshman to make the Post-Gazette’s Fabulous Five team. Senior guard Caleb Palumbo and senior forward Nick Egnot are back, and will be joined by some promising newcomers in sophomores Keondre DeShields (Uniontown transfer) and Brandon Davis.

3. Mars (19-7) — For the first time since the 2013-14 season, the Planets won’t have a Carmody brother in their starting five. But coach Rob Carmody still has a good bit of talent on his side, and it wouldn’t be a shock if the Planets reach the WPIAL final for the fourth year in a row. Senior Mihali Sfanos (14.2 ppg) and junior Zach Schlegel (9.4 ppg) form a strong backcourt, and the Planets also have an excellent inside presence with 6-7 junior forward Chris Dvorak.

4. Penn Hills (18-6) — New coach Chris Giles takes over a team that isn’t short on talent or experience. Wes Kropp (16 ppg), a 6-5 senior forward and three-year starter, was an all-section pick a season ago. As usual, the Indians have plenty of athletic guards. They include three returning starters — seniors Eddie Daniels and Deondre Mitchell and sophomore Daemar Kelly.

5. McKeesport (12-11)

— All-section performer Deamontae Diggs (21.4) is gone, but the Tigers do bring back four other starters. Brison Kisan, a 6-3 senior point guard, is a three-year starter who averaged 11.7 points, 8 rebounds and 5.8 assists a game. The Tigers have a nice-sized frontcourt with 6-5 sophomore Travarese Rowe, 6-5 senior Colton Kovach and 6-3 senior Robert Robinson.

Players to watch

Rodney Gallagher, Laurel Highlands, 6-0, So., G

Wes Kropp, Penn Hills, 65, Sr., F Connor Moss, Plum, 6-2,

Sr., G Brayden Reynolds, Chartiers Valley, 6-2, Sr., G Mike Wells, New Castle, 6-3, Jr., G-F