(VIDEO) 2018-19 Boys Basketball preview: New looks will highlight new season in area

The 2017-18 season for boys basketball, despite several teams with deep playoff run potential, will not go down as one northeast Georgia's most memorable campaigns. Nearly a dozen teams fought their way to playoff berths but only one -- Gainesville -- managed to make it out of the second round in the respective classifications.

The Red Elephants did provide us with a thrilling ride to the Class 6A championship game, and a thriller in the title game, before falling to two-time champion Hughes in a wild final at Georgia Tech's McCamish Pavilion. But defending Class 5A champion Buford could not repeat falling to eventual state runner-up Miller Grove in the second round. Flowery Branch did provide us its first playoff win since 2008 but also fell in the second round in Class 5A.

But as the 2018-19 gets ready to begin on Tuesday area teams like Lakeview Academy (Region 8-A) and Banks County (Region 8-2A) will see if they can repeat as region champions. Dawson County, with several move-ins to go with the bulk of a talented roster coming back, should be a team to keep an eye on in Region 7-3A. Gainesville, meanwhile, graduated six seniors from last year's team and maybe retooling under a new coach, Chuck Graham, as well.

East Hall will have just its third coach since the mid-1980s as a longtime assistant and then head coach Joe Dix took the same position at Collins Hill. The Vikings promoted assistant Seth Thompson, who will see if he can move the Vikings past three second round for the first time since 2016.

As with the girls, seven new coaches, if you count new school Cherokee Bluff, who will be led by former Gainesville coach Benjie Wood, will take over for boys programs.

With that, we offer below our annual basketball previews for all of our 23 area programs.

(NOTES: Teams listed alphabetically. ... For a key on abbreviations scroll to bottom.)

BANKS COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Mike Cleveland, 8th season
-- REGION: 8-2A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 25-5, Region 8-2A champions, reached second round of Class 2A state playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 1
-- KEY PLAYERS: Jr. Carl Cleveland (6-5, All-Region first team, GACA All-State team), Sr. Wes Ledford (6-4), Sr. Noah Rylee (6-0) 
 SEASON OUTLOOK: The Leopards enter the 2018-19 campaign without a lot of varsity experience. Nevertheless, Cleveland's expectations haven’t changed. The Leopards, who have won 96 games in the past four seasons, are shooting for a third straight Region 8-2A title and a deep run into the state playoffs. But the loss of 6-foot-7 Dylan Orr, Darius Bonds and Gabe Martin, leave the load of the team on the only returning starter, Cleveland. Cleveland will look to Ledford and Rylee for experience on the court. Cleveland, a GACA All-State and All-Region team member, averaged 20.5 ppg last season. With six games vs. bigger classification teams in East Hall (twice), Clarke Central, Stephens County (twice) and Collins Hill, it will force the Leopards to grow up fast.

BUFORD
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Eddie Martin, 4th season (782-246 career)
-- REGION: 8-5A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 24-5, Region 8-5A, reached second round Class 5A playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 2
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. P Marcus Watson, Sr. G Donell Nixon, Sr. P Eric Coleman, Sr. G Ashton Young, Sr. P Brandon Green, Sr. G Bobby Miller, Sr. G Karston Miller, Jr. P Caleb Williams
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Wolves return two of their leading scorers from last season – Watson, 21 ppg and Nixon 14 ppg. Coleman transferred from Kings Ridge in Alpharetta over the summer. He will compliment the double-digit scoring of Watson in the post. Coleman averaged 20 ppg and 8 rpg last season. The Wolves off-season focus has been on the defensive side of the ball. This team runs deep, which should pay off down the stretch. Staying healthy is key in the grueling Class 5A schedule. The depth and an injury-free season could have the Wolves playing for a state title in March. 

-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The War Eagles return a nucleus of players that are capable of producing the program's first winning season since 2008. According to Strickland, there's plenty of basketball IQ and firepower on this squad to make a run at the region title. Gwyn, who shot 48-percent behind the 3-point line and averaged 14 ppg, and Jr. G Brenton Nicholson will be key scorers for the War Eagles. Strickland is looking for a break-out year from Bull, Cantrell, and Briseno. The War Eagles open the season with three-straight road games and a tip-off tournament at Banks County. 

CHEROKEE BLUFF
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Benjie Wood, 1st season (397-150 career)
-- REGION: 7-3A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: New school, inaugural season
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 0
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. Connor Boyd, Sr. Devon Wainer, Sr. Parker Shope, Jr. Devon Neville
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: Wood is no stranger to the Hall County basketball scene. Wood led the Gainesville Red Elephants to the Class 6A state championship game last season while coaching Gainesville. After the season was over, he became a Bear. Wood takes over a brand new program. There's no history - everything is new. But, Wood will do as he's done at his previous stops - settle in and build a battleship.  The Bears will look to Neville, who played at Gainesville last season, for scoring. They'll also count on a trio of seniors to contribute, Boyd, Shope, and Wainer. However, they will play in a tough Region 7-3A. 

COMMERCE
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Russ Gregg,1st season
-- REGION: 8-A
-- 2016-17 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 4-22, 
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 3
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. P Jalen Dorsey, Sr. G Chandler Martin, So. G Tyelon Brock, So. G Creed Dunbar 
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Tigers still are in rebuild mode. Gregg will look to Dorsey and Martin to be the lead cats this year. Last season, Dorsey average 10 ppg and 6 rpg. Martin contributed 8 ppg. However, the Tigers return some youth in sophomores Brock and Dunbar. Gregg has a defensive mentality - he expects the defense to generate points. He'll count on team's speed and quickness to make it happen this season for the Tigers. 

. DAWSON COUNTY
-- COACH,  YEARS AT SCHOOL: Chad Pittman, 3rd season
-- REGION: 7-3A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 19-10, region runner-up, reached second round of Class 3A state playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 1
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. G/P Luke Chism (6-5), Sr. G Ahmad Kamara (6-1), Jr. G Campbell Reed (6-1), Jr. G Jasper Gibson (6-4), Jr. G/P Eli Burrus (6-4)

-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Tigers lost four starters from last year’s team – two of which were 1,000-point scorers. With only one returning starter, Reed, some might think the Tigers are in rebuild mode. But, Pittman hit the jackpot with two college-prospect transfers. With the addition of Gibson and Chism, the Tigers have instantly become a contender. But, it’s not as easy as it looks. The Tigers will have to go through last year’s Class 3A state champion, Greater Atlanta Christian, East Hall, North Hall, Fannin, Cherokee Bluff, and Lumpkin County to hit their season goal of winning the region and going deep in the state playoffs.

EAST HALL
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Seth D. Thompson, 1st season
-- REGION: 7-3A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 17-12, reached first round of Class AAA state playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 2
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. P Jayvion Rucker (6-6), Sr. G Kylan Curry 
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: For the first time in 14 seasons, Joe Dix will not be roaming the East Hall sidelines. Dix left for Collins Hill last spring, and East Hall handed the keys to the bus to Thompson. It's Thompson's third season with the Vikings, first as head coach, and he's not changing things too much. He says it'll be the same style with a few tweaks. Whatever it maybe, he'll rely on Rucker and Curry to provide leadership this season. Rucker averaged 11 ppg and shot over 40-percent behind the arc last season. Curry's ball handling skills and defensive grit will give the Vikings an edge in their "get after it" approach.  Also emerging as a key piece to the puzzle is So. G Imre Earls. The Vikings will tune up against Banks, Mountain View, Duluth, and Stephens County, before jumping into the Region 7-AAA gauntlet of GAC, Dawson, North Hall, Fannin, Lumpkin and Cherokee Bluff. 

EAST JACKSON
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: David Akin, 3rd season
-- REGION: 6-3A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 16-13, reached first round Class AAA
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 3
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. PG Marcus Wingfield, Sr. G Tay Howard, Sr. G Miles Addington, Sr. P Kevin Chancey
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: Last season, the Eagles made strides in the right direction, winning 16 games and reaching the Class AAA state playoffs. This season, Akin expects his team to make another leap in the right direction. It'll depend on team chemistry and senior leadership. With three starters returning, the Eagles should be close to reaching their goals of a region title this season.

FLOWERY BRANCH
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Chezley Watson, 1st season
-- REGION: 7-4A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS:18-12, reached second round Class 5A playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 1
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. G DJ Brown, Fr. G Trey Shaw, Fr. G Harrison Cooper
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: New Head Coach Watson is looking to establish a solid basketball culture at the Branch. The school split when Cherokee Bluff opened this year. The split meant losing some of last year's players. Now, Watson will start the building process around his three key players, Brown, Shaw and Cooper. It's going to be an uphill battle, but the non-region schedule against Region 7-3A power and a Thanksgiving tournament at Habersham will have them battle-tested for the region opener against Marist.

GAINESVILLE
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Chuck Graham, 1st season
-- REGION: 8-6A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 24-7, Region 8-6A champs, Lanierland champs, reached the Class 6A championship
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 2
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. G Brent Kelly, Sr. G Maurice Hector, Jr. G Raffy Rubel
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Red Elephants expectations remain high after last season's loss to Langston-Hughes in the Class AAAAAA title game. New coach Graham is ready to take on the challenge of marching back to the finals. But, graduation hit the program hard, losing KJ Buffen, Bailey Minor, Jarrel Rosser and Kajuan Hale. The good news, the Red Elephants have a solid core returning in Kelly, Hector and Rubel. The Red Elephants will get tested early with a non-region schedule loaded with heavy hitters Grayson, Marietta, Southwest Atlanta Christian, Brookwood and Cedar Shoals. The early-season competition, however, should have Gainesville ready for region play.

HABERSHAM CENTRAL
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Brandon Hutchins, 1st season
-- REGION: 6-6A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 6-20
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 2
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. PG Caleb Gaines, Sr. F Dontarius Bailey
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Raiders will look to Gaines and Bailey for leadership this season. With the loss of seven seniors, the Raiders will enter the season young in a tough region. They'll have bumps and bruises along the way, but Hutchins believes this team has all the ingredients to compete this season.

JACKSON COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Chuck Butler, 5th season
-- REGION: 8-3A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 3-21
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 4
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr PG Cameron Shaw, Soph. G Kalib Clinton, (All-Region team)
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Panthers return four starters, including Clinton. Clinton had a breakout freshman season last year, averaging 16 ppg and 10 rpg. Butler is expecting Clinton to build on his freshman season, calling him a "double-double machine." Shaw, who transferred in last season, gave the Panthers a mid-season boost. Shaw can take control of the game with his ability to direct traffic and score buckets. In the middle, Daniel's growth since last season will prove to be an asset in the upcoming campaign.  Add in sharpshooters Lewis and Zimmer, the Panthers could be tough to deal with this season. 

JEFFERSON
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Kevin Morris, 2nd season
-- REGION: 6-3A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS:18-10, reached second round Class 3A playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 4
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. G Tryston Norman (6-0), Jr. P Jacob Radaker (6-8), G/P Jr. Donsha Gaither (6-2), G/P Jr. Daniel Parker (6-3), G So. Kam Robinson (5-8) 
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Dragons have plenty of experience returning from last year’s state playoff team - seven return; four of them are starters. The experience has Morris feeling pretty good about this season. The Dragons have leading rebounder, Radaker back this year, along with Gaither. The pair should be a force on the boards again this season. Expect the Dragons to pressure the ball defensively. They'll count on Robinson to set the tone on both ends of the court. The Dragons have the depth to play the uptempo style Morris expects. But, Region 6-3A is going to be a battle every night. It houses Class 3A state runner-up Morgan County. It’s also home to state playoff teams, Monroe Area, East Jackson and Franklin County. There’s one thing about, Region 6-3A is stacked top to bottom.

JOHNSON
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Brandon Pickell, 1st season
-- REGION: 8-5A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 7-19
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 0
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. PG Danny Garcia, Sr. C Jonathan Williams, Jr. SG Jesse Harbin, So. SG Wade Pearce
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Knights return several key players, but overall are very inexperienced. Pickell will look to seniors Garcia and Williams to provide leadership this season. Expect the Knights to play at a high tempo on both ends of the court. The Knights' non-region schedule is full of familiar names like East Hall, North Hall, West Hall and Chestatee. They'll use it to tune up for a grueling region schedule that includes Buford, Clarke Central and Cedar Shoals. 

LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Todd Cottrell, 6th season
-- REGION: 8-A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 21-8, reached second round of Class A playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 2
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. PG Blake McIntyre, Sr. G Adam Cottrell, Sr. G KJ Millwood, Sr. P Arturo Varela, Sr. G Holden Cooper
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Lions expectations are high as they head into the season. They return two starters from last year's second-round playoff team. Coach Cottrell will look to McIntyre and Cottrell for leadership. Millwood, Varela and Cooper will be the newest additions to the starting lineup. The Lions are excited about the season but remain a bit cautious. After all, with the addition of three new starters, it'll take some time to gel together. Nevertheless, Cottrell believes this team will continue to improve and be hitting on all cylinders just in time for the region tournament. 

LUMPKIN COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Jeff Steele, 3rd season
-- REGION: 7-3A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 3-21
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 4
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. G Jake Granger, Jr. G Patrick Jackson, Jr. P Peyton Polk, So. G Gus Faulkner
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: Last year, the Indians struggled through the season, only picking up three wins. This season, Steele is very optimistic - they return four starters. Steele hopes the experience returning will help them navigate a tough Region 7-3A schedule. The Indians face Chestatee (twice) Oconee and Towns before they open region play with East Hall and Greater Atlanta Christian School, the defending Class AAA state champion, and Dawson County. By the end of the season, the Indians could be in the hunt for a playoff spot. 

NORTH HALL
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Tyler Sanders, 6th season
-- REGION: 7-3A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 9-14, reached first round Class AAA playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 3
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. G Daniel Jackson, Sr. G Josh Cook, Sr. G Drew Faulkner, Jr. G Luke Gunter, Jr. C Matthew Gunter, Jr. G JT Fair, Jr. G Luke Volle 
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Trojans will begin the season with a partial roster - seven players on the football team. With the Trojan football team poised to make a run in the state playoffs, Coach Sanders won't have a full roster till after Thanksgiving. Six of the seven key players, Jackson, Faulkner, Luke Gunter, Matthew Gunter, Fair and Volle all play football. Nevertheless, Sanders has sold his up-tempo style of play to his team and continues preparing for the tough Region 7-3A. 

RABUN COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: David Adcock, 1st season
-- REGION: 8-2A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 6-20
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 1
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. P Kasin Old, Sr. SG Chase Buchannan, Sr. P Cameron Lovell
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: Adcock hopes to put the Wildcats back on the map this season. The Wildcats have struggled the last two seasons, winning a combined 17 games. Adcock wants to change those bad habits and establish a new culture in Tiger. He'll ask seniors Old, Buchannan and Lovell to help with the change. But, it'll take team chemistry and trust for the Wildcats to turn around the program in just one season. Adcock believes it can be done and expects his Wildcats to be competing for a region title in February. 

RIVERSIDE MILITARY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Marvin Lathem, 5th season
-- REGION: 8-A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 11-12, reached second round Class A playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 4
-- KEY PLAYERS: Jr. G/F Issac Teasley, Jr. (19 ppg, All-Region first team), Sr. G Michael Poteat, Sr. P Orlando Stephens, Sr. G Shad Dabney
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: Normally, the Eagles find themselves rebuilding every year. This season, Lathem enters the season in a very good position - not worrying about rebuilding. The Eagles return their leading scorer in Teasley, who averaged 19 ppg last season. They also returned Poteat and Stephens, both averaged over 10 ppg last season. The Eagles have depth - two deep at every position. They also added height to the roster, with five players over 6-2. The added height should give this guard-oriented team the advantage they need to compete for a region championship and go deeper in the state playoffs. 

TOWNS COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Rob Benson, 4th season
-- REGION: 8-A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 12-14, region champs, playoffs, etc
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 2
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. Kolby Moss, Sr. Will Travis
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Indians return starters Moss and Travis, but lost leading scorer Zach Davenport to graduation. Benson says the key to this season is finding somebody to replace his point production. The Indians will find out soon enough as they open with Hiwassee Dam in Murphy, NC followed by Union and Lumpkin counties. If the Indians can find those lost points somewhere, they could make a run in the region.

UNION COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Casey Jones, 6th season
-- REGION: 8-2A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 16-9
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 2
-- KEY PLAYERS: Jr. G Pierson Allison, Jr. G Sawyer Drake
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: After spending the previous two seasons in Region 7-3A, the Panthers move back to Region 8-2A this season. With the move down, Jones will enter the season a bit cautious. It'll be tough to judge where the Panthers will end up in the new region. Nevertheless, Jones will count on Allison and Drake to navigate the new territory. Allison averaged 12 ppg last season, and Drake hit for 13 ppg and 6 rpg. If the Panthers are able to get their bearings right, they could be fighting for a region title.

WEST HALL

-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Bobby Pless, 3rd season
-- REGION: 7-4A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 13-16, reached first round Class 4A playoffs
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 2
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. G Noah Edmodson, Sr. Braden Martin, Sr. P Devon Williams, Sr. P Hunter Rainey, Jr. G Sawyer Passmore
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: The Spartans reached the first round of the Class 4A playoffs last season. This year expectations are a bit higher. Pless returns the balanced guard play the team had last year. Edmodson, Martin and Passmore are back. Edmodson averaged 16 ppg and Branden 9 ppg. Passmore is dangerous from 3-point land. He led the Spartans from the arc last season. Although it's a guard-oriented offense again this year with several scorers, Pless will count on Williams and Rainey in the paint. With the talent returning, the Spartans could contend for the region championship this season.

WHITE COUNTY
-- COACH, YEARS AT SCHOOL: Wade Mawdesley, 1st season
-- REGION: 7-4A
-- 2017-18 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 14-12
-- RETURNING STARTERS: 3
-- KEY PLAYERS: Sr. PG Austin Harris PG, Sr. G Chandler Harris G, Sr P Jay Lepkoske
-- SEASON OUTLOOK: Mawdesley arrived on the scene in August. Needless to say, he has been in overdrive to get his plans in place. It's been a challenge for the Warriors and their new coach. Nevertheless, Mawdesley says his team is learning the system quickly. He'll count on last season's leading scorer Austin Harris (13 ppg) and leading rebounder Lepkoske (6 rpg) to lead the way. Expect the Warriors to play with a different style this season - a tough man-to-man defense and a free-flowing offense. Keep an eye on the Warriors, though. It could get interesting.

-- Key: Sr: senior, Jr: junior, So: sophomore, Fr: freshman, PG: point guard, G: guard, SG: shooting guard, W: wing, F: forward, PF: power forward, SF: small forward, P: post, C: center, PPG: points per game, RPG: rebounds per game, APG: assists per game, SPG: steals per game, FT: free throws.