1. Lapel

: Veteran coach Jimmie Howell believes this team could be very good come sectional time, and with good reason. The Bulldogs have three double-digit scorers returning in 6-5 senior Logan Ingle (15.2 ppg, 7.2 rebounds), 6-1 junior Chandler Guion (13.9 ppg, 4.6 rebounds) and 6-5 junior Jeremy Reed (11.6 ppg, 4.7 rebounds). Lapel made it to the sectional championship last year and could make it even further this year.

2. Heritage Christian

: Longtime North Central assistant Basil Smotherman takes over a program that has enjoyed recent success. The only player with significant experience is 6-6 sophomore Joel Smith (4.3 ppg, 3.5 rebounds). Nick Hoover, a 6-1 junior, and Ian McDonald, a 5-10 senior, also will play key roles. The coach’s son, a 6-4 freshman also named Basil Smotherman, should gain confidence as the season progresses. Other contributors will be 5-10 junior Adam Fronius, 6-2 senior Nate Brown and 5-11 senior J.T. Cummings.

3. Washington

: Sixth-year coach Corey Greenwood probably has his best team since he came to Washington. Brandon Demmings is a 6-2 senior guard who averaged 21 points and 5.0 rebounds last season. Tony Tolliver (10 ppg, 9.5 rebounds) is a 6-6 senior who will anchor the middle. They are joined by 6-foot senior point guard Phillip Titus (18 ppg). Washington is searching for its first sectional title since 1995.

4. Park Tudor

: Ed Schilling takes over as coach with a standout point guard in 5-10 sophomore Kevin Ferrell (12.3 ppg, 5.1 assists) to build around. Reggie Nesbit (6.7 ppg, 6.8 rebounds), a 6-3 senior, and Center Grove transfer Matt Geddie, a 6-7 senior, add experience and size. The Panthers should be better, though a difficult schedule awaits.

5. Triton Central

: Guard play should be a strength for fourth-year coach Kyle Brewer. Returning in the backcourt are 5-6 senior Josh Gonzales (8.4 ppg, 4.4 assists), 5-11 junior Dillon Daniel (7.3 ppg, 5.1 assists) and 5-11 senior Sean Wendling (2.9 ppg). The top returning scorer is 6-3 senior Paul Stites (10.5 ppg, 7.9 rebounds).

6. Covenant Christian

: The Warriors broke through with a sectional championship last season under fifth-year coach Scott Flatt but will have to replace 6-10 standout Andrew Smith, now at Butler. Gabe Woodruff, a 6-4 senior, averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds over a nine-game stretch when Smith was hurt last season and 15.1 points and 8 rebounds overall. Jeff McClintic (11.7 ppg) is a 5-11 point guard. Max Mollaun is a 6-2 junior who averaged 10.5 ppg. Drew Ferguson, a 6-3 senior, transferred from Carmel. The schedule is difficult.

7. Cardinal Ritter

: Coach Pete Bitting enters his third season in rebuilding mode after losing eight seniors from last year’s sectional champion. Skyler Brentz, a 6-5 junior, is the top returning player. Brentz averaged 3 ppg last season with a team-leading 15 points in a win over Beech Grove. Ritter’s sectional appears to be more difficult this season as Washington, Heritage Christian and Park Tudor should all be tough.

8. Speedway

: The Sparkplugs will compete in the West Central Conference for the last time and look to duplicate last year’s unbeaten run through the league. Four seniors will lead the way: Keenan Lewis, a 6-1 guard, averaged 12.2 points and 3.6 rebounds; Michael Hubbard, a 5-11 guard, averaged 11.5 points and 3.9 rebounds; and 6-foot guard Kevin Eggert (4.7 ppg) and Jake Daghe (2.0 ppg) also played key roles. Speedway is looking for its first sectional crown since winning a state title in 2001-02.

9. Tri-West

: Adam Bontreger begins his first season as coach with some experience and size. Randall Lowe, a Huntington University recruit, is a 6-foot guard who averaged 17 points and 4.4 rebounds last season. He is joined in the backcourt by 6-1 senior Joe Pierle (7.5 ppg). Caleb McVicker (4.0 ppg, 3.6 rebounds) is a 6-2 junior with varsity experience. Bontreger expects 6-6 junior Tyler Waite (1.2) to be an inside-outside threat. Andrew Keck, a 6-4 senior, returns after missing last season with a knee injury.

10. Scecina

: Ninth-year coach Mark Wilson lost 65 percent of his scoring to graduation but returns 6-1 senior Justin Tutrow, who averaged 12.5 ppg. Others with varsity experience include 6-1 senior Jared Parsons (3.5 ppg), 6-4 senior Pat Singleton (2.0 ppg), 6-7 junior Garrett Young (2.6 ppg) and 5-10 junior Darrell Manuel (1.7 ppg).

11. Herron

: Herron will be eligible for the state tournament for the first time this season and will play several of its games at Conseco Fieldhouse, including a Dec. 26 game against Warren Central. Seus Parker, a 6-8, 270-pound junior who averaged 12.0 ppg and 9.0 rebounds; 6-foot junior Kareem Morehead (13.0 ppg); 6-2 senior Stephon Thompson (9.0 ppg) and 5-10 senior Jonathan Thompkins (8.0 ppg) will lead the way.

12. Guerin Catholic

: Coach Pete Smith’s lone returning starter is 6-3 senior Jordan Rapp, who averaged 8.8 ppg and 3.3 rebounds last year. Other returning players are 6-1 junior Danny Town (5.7 ppg) and 6-foot sophomore Riley Rapp (3.9 ppg). This is a small team, but the Golden Eagles played for a sectional championship last season.

13. Eastern Hancock

: Coach Aaron Spaulding, entering his 11th season, is excited about the prospects for this season. The Royals return their top three scorers. Dustin Smith, a 6-2 junior, averaged 15 ppg and 3.8 rebounds last season. He is joined by 6-8 senior Devin Tharpe (11 ppg, 9.3 rebounds) and 6-2 junior Steven Stunda (10.4 ppg, 3.8 rebounds). Sophomore Jared Pyle (4.8 ppg) and junior Zach Kissick (4.6 ppg) also will play key roles. Eastern Hancock lost by two to Centerville last year in the sectional championship.

14. Monrovia

: Chris Sampson goes into his 15th season as coach with a senior-laden group that should be very good defensively. Tim Connor, a standout on the football team, is the top returning scorer. Connor, a 6-2 senior, averaged 13.7 ppg and 3.3 assists. Also in the mix are 5-10 senior Dalin Gray (7.8 ppg), 5-10 junior Brent McCleerey (7.4 ppg), 6-3 senior Kyle Everett (5.1 ppg), 6-4 senior Zane Shuee (4.8 ppg, 4.1 rebounds), 6-1 senior Grant Watson (4.6 ppg) and 5-10 senior Garrett Johnson (3.9 ppg).

15. Indian Creek

: Third-year coach Ryan Williamson must replace six of the top eight players in his rotation from a team that won a conference title. Junior Jordan Jackson, a 6-4 junior, is the top returning player. Austin Blackwell, a 5-11 junior guard, and Colton Reed, a 6-5 junior, also are expected to play key roles.

16. Cascade

: Coach Chris DuBois enters his sixth season with 5-10 junior guard Kyle Spencer (10.1 ppg) as his top player. Other key players include 6-2 senior Andrew Arthur (3.3 ppg), 6-2 junior Tanner Dunn (3.2 ppg) and 6-1 sophomore Jeffrey Hopper (2.7 ppg). The Cadets had four straight winning seasons before combining to go 12-31 the past two seasons. Cascade last won a sectional in 2006.

17. Sheridan

: Cory Dunn enters his fourth season with a very young team, led by 5-11 senior Adam Durr (5.0 ppg). Tyler Jones, a 5-10 freshman, is projected as the starting point guard. Also expected to play key roles are 6-3 senior Eric Nicholas, 5-11 senior Garrett Gossard and 5-10 sophomore Eric Price. Sheridan is hoping to build off its best season since going 16-6 in 2002-03.