Familiar faces

Ash Grove, Evan Nicholson, 5-11 senior: Nicholson is a do-it-all returning guard for the Pirates and will be expected to orchestrate the offense. He has a knack for scoring, but will need to help on the boards, as Ash Grove returns much of its backcourt.

Cameron Yates, Skyline, 6-5 senior: A candidate for preseason player of the year, Yates was a force in the paint, averaging 16 points and 7 rebounds per game last season. As good as he was last season, he also has developed a face-up game and is one of eight Skyline seniors.

Conner Wilson, Strafford, 6-4 sophomore: He had an impressive freshman season, averaging 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Wilson also can handle the ball and use his big frame to his advantage, whether on the backboards or in the post.

Brandon Verfurth, Marionville 6-2 senior: A role player for past Comet teams, Verfurth might be asked to carry the burden of the scoring load this season. The guard averaged 11.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, even though he isn't a 3-point scoring threat.

Matt Brown, Pleasant Hope, 6-0 junior: As good a shooter as there is at the high school level, Brown already has been all-conference in both of his high school seasons. He's one of four returning starters and averaged 15 points and 5.6 rebounds last season. Word on the street says he has improved at attacking the basket.

Justin Cleeton, Fair Grove, 6-6 senior: Cleeton is a man among boys in the Mid-Lakes, especially when it comes to rebounding. He could average double-digit rebounds this season, easily.

Nick Engleman, Stockton, 5-11 senior: Known for his intensity, Engleman is Stockton's captain and leading returning scorer at 7.7 points per game. He'll be expected to steady an inexperienced team.

Derek Wilson, Strafford, 6-2 senior: Wilson is as steady as they come, one of four returning starters for the Indians. A forward, Wilson averaged 8 points and 5 rebounds per game last season.

Chris Orr, Fair Grove, 6-3 senior: Another one of Fair Grove's bangers in the post, Orr tosses his frame around to grab rebounds and put them back in the basket. With Orr and the aforementioned Cleeton, the Eagles have one of the more intimidating frontlines in the MLC.

Fresh faces

Pedro Figueroa, Marionville, 6-2 senior: Marionville always seems to find someone to emerge into a prominent role, and this year's version could be Figueroa. He averaged only 3.5 points last season but has the ability to deliver some scoring punch.

Ethan Vaughn, Pleasant Hope, 6-5 senior: A post player who hasn't played since his sophomore year, Vaughn could transform the Pirates, who return four starters around him.

Seth Payne, Skyline, 6-2 senior: A two-year starter at Stoutland, Payne could play any of the five positions on the floor. He should prove to be a versatile weapon for the Tigers.

Jacky Payne, Skyline coach: In his 30th season overall, Payne returns to his alma mater and finds himself with an experienced team -- eight seniors and four juniors.

Zach Reed, Stockton, 6-1 senior: After missing much of his junior season with injuries, Reed is back and will be expected to carry the load when it comes to the Tigers' interior scoring.

Eric Sechler, Pleasant Hope, 5-11 sophomore: Sechler showed a lot of maturity last season as a freshman point guard. He averaged 12 points per game and now could emerge as one of the best guards in the conference.

Robbie Ewing (6-0) and Gavin Kenney (6-1), Stockton, sophomores: After getting some spot varsity time last season, this sophomore duo could provide some scoring and rebounding punch for the Tigers, who graduated four starters.

Jake Harvey (6-1), Justin Coale (5-11), Austin Slagle (5-9), Ash Grove, seniors: This trio of senior guards will try to push the tempo and ensure the Pirates limit their turnovers. Harvey is more of a swingman, while Coale and Slagle are steady ballhandlers.

Tyler Robertson, Strafford, 5-8 senior: Robertson came off the bench last season but will step into a starting role this year -- and he will bring his accurate jump shot with him. The guard averaged 7 points per game and shot 38 percent from 3-point range.

Vaughan's take

Strafford has that preseason résumé that everyone picking preseason conference races likes to see.

So, why buck the trend?

The Indians were only 12-14 last season, but they return four starters, including 6-foot-4 sophomore Conner Wilson, guards Nick Davis and Austin King, and forward Derek Wilson.

Seven of the Indians' top eight players will be seniors, which should provide enough stability to win the MLC.

It's awful tough to pick against Marionville, even though it graduated much of its scoring and rebounding.

The Comets will rely on do-it-all Brandon Verfurth and forward Pedro Figueroa to provide some scoring while they wait for some role players to emerge.

A lot of buzz surrounds Skyline, which has a senior-rich roster. The Tigers may have the league's best player in 6-5 Cameron Yates.

He's surrounded by many of his classmates as Skyline will have eight seniors and four juniors, something that should make the transition easier for new coach Jacky Payne, who returns to his alma mater.

The rest of the conference is a question mark, but Pleasant Hope, with the addition of 6-5 Ethan Vaughn, could improve, and Ash Grove has MVP candidate Evan Nicholson at which to marvel.

Stockton graduated much of its core, but coach Mike Kenney is excited about his underclassmen.