Last year’s record: 9-12, 6-8 WMC (Lost to Muskegon Heights in district opener)

Coach: Nate Aardema (4th season)

Key losses: Bobbie Johnson, Brandon DeLaRosa, Mathew Ferguson

Key returnee: Isaac Love is the only returning Viking that has played a full varsity season. Aardema said Love “is primed to have a fantastic senior season”.

Team goals: “I hope that this team will be able to overcome the lack of overall experience by committing to defending and rebounding and working together. If we can do these things, we should be able to finish in the top half of our league.” - Aardema

Key WMC competition: “Montague is loaded and is the clear favorite.” - Aardema

Key Quote: “This is nearly an entirely new roster. A lack of experience will be a concern early.” - Aardema

Montague

Last year’s record: 19-6, 10-4 WMC (Lost to Shelby in regionals)

Coach: Dave Osborne (6th season)

Key loss: Alex Martin

Key returnees: Riley Lohman, Brandon Moore, Chase Casebolt, Brandon Stine, Spencer Morse, Jacob Marsh

Team goals: After last season’s impressive postseason run, the Wildcats return all but one player. The sky is the limit for Montague this season.

Key WMC competition: Shelby, Oakridge, North Muskegon

Synopsis: Top scorers Casebolt and Moore will be bolstered by Lohman, Stine, Morse and a loaded class of seniors as Montague fans enter the season with high expectations for their Wildcats.

Reeths-Puffer

Last year’s record: 5-17, 2-8 O-K Black (Lost to Muskegon in district semis)

Coach: John Ingles (1st season)

Key loss: Jordan Anderson was R-P’s lone senior on last year’s squad.

Key returnees: Quinzell Pannell, Andy Reinecke, Jalen Benton

Team goals: R-P will look to improve and compete for an O-K Black title.

Key O-K Black competition: The Muskegon Big Reds move into Reeths-Puffer’s O-K Black this year, and the Rockets will assuredly want revenge for getting bounced by Muskegon in districts in March.

Synopsis: The Rockets struggled last season, but with only one player graduated from last season, R-P will be an experienced bunch with plenty of motivation, which could lead to a big change in the win/loss record this season.