Last season was a strange season for the local basketball team.

Fan capacity is limited almost throughout the season. We still remember being the only person in the crowd reporting the game (obviously without the cheers of our impartial reporters). There are no state championships, and there are almost no matches between non-league opponents.

The league hosted their own conference tournament, which is very exciting, but not the same as Mass. March Madness. 

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This season seems to be more normal. Yes, masks are still needed now. But the fans are back, and the statewide tournament was basically a success in the fall. 

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If we go back in time, there will be no state championships since 2019. COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the 2020 finals. Both Whitman Hansen and Abington High School men's basketball team were crowned United State Championships. 

This leaves a lot of unfinished things in the 2021-22 season. Let's take a look at the players in the area who are ready to play on hardwoods.

During the cooperation between Fanara and Green Wave, victories have been piled up. He is a member of the 2020 United State Championship (Abington and Hopedale shared the 4th Division crown) and averaged 9.2 points and 4.7 assists when Abington won the South Bank League Cup last winter. Fanara and his running partner (next) formed a vibrant backcourt duo.

Graham Jr. is a skilled guard who can hack and shoot. He averaged 8.7 points and 3 assists per game last season. This is one of the few backcourt combinations that can score 40 points on any given night.

Versatility is the name of the Campbell game. The 6-3 guard from Plymouth is a strong athlete who can defend multiple positions, rebound and score.

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The 6-5 small forward from East Bridgewater is a reliable defender and rebounder. He can stretch the floor by shooting from beyond the three-point line and can score in the low post.

In the past two seasons, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Stoughton senior guard has averaged 13.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game for the Hawks. Guerrier was the All-Star of the Catholic League last winter.

The 6-foot-4 senior shooting guard from Quincy has been the Eagles' number one scorer since his freshman year. In the past two seasons, he averaged 21.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game, shooting 49% from the field and 45% from the three-point range. He was twice selected as the All-Star of the Catholic League.

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This senior wanted to leave. In his sophomore year, he started every game, but because the Warriors did not participate in winter sports, he missed his junior season. He has a strong sense of the court and can score in all three levels.

The senior forward averaged 10 points for the Wamps team last winter, which is also an important part of their plans for the Gulf State Conference this season.

This 6-4 wing can do all this. He can shoot and finish from above the basket. He is also a strong defender and excellent rebounder.

Jean-Pierre is a 5-9-year-old senior defender who controls the Trojan's offense. He has a good hand and is no stranger to stealing the ball from his opponent.

Monteiro has ushered in a strong football season, and the second-year student is ready to take over as the boxer's point guard. He has brought good size and athleticism to this position, and already has a wealth of game experience.

This senior has something you can't teach-size. The 6-7-year-old center is very good at his feet and can shoot from the middle distance. Last winter, he helped boxers win the Southeastern League championship. 

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The 6-3 year old power forward is the strength of the Bulldogs on both ends of the court. New coach Eric McKinnon said: "His ability to go downhill and layup makes it difficult for him to stop. Most importantly, he is selfless and will set an example for his teammates."

The junior was selected to the entire corporate school last season, averaging 16 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Exalus has always been a 6-3 dual threat, with high mobility.

The 5-10 guard played only a few games last season before the ACL tear, but his knee has healed and he is ready for an important junior season. Simpson will score for the Cardinals and he has a good shooting touch.

This wing has the ability to control the ball and can run the Crusaders' offense from time to time. He has the ability to shoot outside, but he can also break through the basket.

Junior can play guards and forwards. He has the offensive talent to play in the low post or beyond the three-point line.

For the Captains, Federer is about to usher in a strong football season. The 6-3 captain is one of two returning starters and he brought a versatile game on the offensive end.

Burke may have as many points per game as he averaged. This energetic No. 5-8 point guard is difficult to fight against. He just helped the Captains win the Super Bowl in Division 7 on the grill.

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This junior shooting guard is a talented scorer. He can catch the ball and shoot or dribble the ball.

Barlow is just a sophomore and has a year of starting experience as a point guard. He is a strong defender and athlete of the Dragons.

Ken is a senior captain who can spotlights. He has three years of starting experience.

The Vikings have high hopes for the low-key senior captain. Coach Andrew MacDonald said that Ben Yue has the ability to play a big show and hopes that he will become an important contributor.

The 6-foot-5 sophomore power forward averaged 12 points per game. Peterson is a three-year varsity player and has an excellent all-around game. Coach Nick Hannigan said: "He worked very hard and added different aspects of his game, not just a good shooter."

Johannes was selected to the Patriots Ledger school last season and leads the Ports in points (14.2 points per game), rebounds (10.1 points) and blocks. A 6-4 forward, the senior captain did all this for Hingham.

The senior captain is a three-year college team player. After playing shooting guard, he will transition to point guard this winter. He has a solid handle.

The junior captain is a returning starter and showed his potential last season. McBride can rain from outside, but he has joined his offensive game.

The junior guard averaged 20 points per game for the Bulldogs last winter and once again assumed most of the scoring burden.

The veteran captain showed off his offensive skills in the season opener when he dropped 27 points on South Shore Tech.

As a senior captain and point guard, Marios controls the flow of the Buccaneers.

The three-year point guard has the trust of coach Bob Fisher. The Patriots All-Star player is the commander of Marshfield's offense.

Walden is a 6-6 center who can score from the inside and outside. He is the return starter for the Rams.

As a junior, Perea helped the Sahem team win their first league championship in 22 years. He is an enterprise-level player, averaging 18.5 points and 6.3 assists per game, and shooting more than 50% of his three-pointers.

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As a quarterback in the fall, Briggs is a South Bank All-Star returning to Middleborough. At 6-4, he can attack the basket, but he is an underrated shooter.

As an excellent football running back/linebacker, this 6-1 senior guard is a returning Gulf State All-Star player. Last winter, he averaged 7 points, 5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game.

This senior guard can score in all three levels of the Wildcats.

Quinn made his debut as a freshman. He won the Patriot Ledger's school honor with an average of 16 points and 6 rebounds per game. For the Patriots, a better Quinn as a sophomore is a terrible proposal.

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Kiri was selected to the Patriots All-Star in his junior year, averaging 9 points and 6 rebounds per game. He played an important role in the Raiders' consecutive championship seasons.

The skilled guard was selected to Enterprise All Scholastic last season. He averaged 8.4 points per game and made 41.2% of his three-pointers. 

The 6-5 sophomore center will bring matchup problems to the South Bank League. 

Lucarelli is a second-year dual guard. In the next three years, he and Donnie Lampley will form a solid punch or two.

The junior guard is a 6-0 left-handed sharpshooter. 

The 6-4 Spencer is a forward who can score both inside and outside.

Leonard will play a new role in the Blue Eagles this season. As a defensive expert for the past two years, he will be responsible for the offense in Plymouth North this season, while paying close attention to the other team's top scorer on the defensive end. As an excellent defender, he can shut down anyone from a small guard to a center.

The tall and robust Peruzi will play a more important role in Plymouth North this season. His task is to score in the paint for the Blue Eagles this season and shoot from the outside.

The talented Davis is an offensive weapon. He has a strong shooting ability from the outside, but he is also quick to dribble and can pass the ball inside. Davis is also a strong guard.

Manton is a good physical power forward, he works very hard in the low post and on the offensive outside shooting. He will become the captain of the president.

Davis is a talented athlete who can burst into the basket. He has been training his outside shooting, which can open up more opportunities for him to attack the basket this winter. 

Joacine is a talented player for the Blue Devils winger. He helped Randolph reach the SSL Cup final last season.

The second-year point guard brings wisdom to this position. For Randolph, he is a comprehensive offensive player.

Perryman is a killer for all three levels of the Bulldogs. He is one of two returnees with college team experience.

Moriarty will win the 6th Super Bowl with the football team in the fall. He will become Rockland's low player.

Sullivan has been selected to the Patriots Ledger school twice, averaging 17 points and 7 assists per game last season. This cunning point guard will keep the Mariners competitive.

The four-year college team forward has provided the Mariners with a wealth of game experience and is a hard-working man.

So far, the point guard has played two college seasons and looks to be one of the best guards in the Patriots this season. He is a strong passer and ball handler with a wide range of shots.

The Eagles did not participate in the Winter Games last year, but the captain has high hopes for this season. Trumbull is a 6-0 senior guard and captain who can defend, rebound and score.

The senior from Rockland is a three-year starter. As the Vikings invest more on his offensive board, his scoring stats will rise this season. McGuirk is a versatile offensive and defensive player.

Lyons, a junior from Rockland, is one of the top athletes in the Mayflower League. He is not afraid to play above the basket. The 6-foot-3 guard had a strong offseason after entering the rotation in his sophomore year.

The senior captain has an excellent GPA in class and is an excellent three-point shooter. Coach Evan Taylor said Andrews improved his game this winter.

This junior has high expectations for the next season. As a returning player, he is expected to become the main scorer of the Black Cavaliers. He also brought it on the defensive end.

As a senior captain and center forward, Ryan has a versatile game. He ranked second in the team in assists last season, and he almost averaged a double-double per game. He is a strong protector of the basket.

Razza was selected to Enterprise All Scholastic in his junior year last season. The point guard averaged 10 points and ended a shortened season with 40 steals.

The 6-5 year old senior is a four-year starter for the Wildcats center. As a junior, Doyle plans to become an outstanding low player this season.  

Jamison started to explode during the Patriots League Cup last winter. He averaged 9 points per game last season and looks ready for an excellent senior season.

Vallancourt is not a gorgeous point guard, but he is the engine that keeps WH's train going. He averaged 6.1 points and less than 5 assists per game last season. Look for these numbers to jump in this season.