Head Coach: Jon VanOosten (3rd year)

2006-7 Season: 14-6 (10-2, co-champions North East Michigan Conference)

Returning players: Pete VanOosten, sr. (F); Rick Dodridge, sr. (C); Kyle Dantzer, sr. (F); Michael Noffsinger, sr. (G); Tim LeForce, sr. (G); Kevin O'Neil, sr. (G); Cody O'Neil, sr. (G); Gio Roberto, sr. (F)

New to varsity: Alex Rose, jr. (F/C); Eric Noble, jr., (F); Dee DesJarden, jr. (G); Alex Jennings, so. (C)

Outlook: The Falcons have almost an embarrassment of riches returning, creating a few problems for coach Jon VanOosten that most coaches would envy. The issue isn't finding the right players so much as finding enough playing time to keep the players he has in the flow.

"We'll be deep and experienced," VanOosten said. "Maybe even a little too deep.

"The big thing is getting the team to jell and having the kids know their roles."

The Falcons graduated two starters -- Matt Faiman and Kyle Wangler -- but eight seniors return, including 6-4 Gio Roberto, who didn't even play last season due to a football injury.

Leading scorer Pete VanOosten (17 points per game), center Rick Dodridge (8.2 points / game) and guard Michael Noffsinger (3.3 points / game, but 15 in the Falcons district game), as well as forward Kyle Dantzer (6.4 points / game), Cody and Kevin O'Neil and Tim LeForce played key roles at different times last season. Four newcomers, including 6-6 sophomore center Alex Jennings, will add even more depth.

"We're very athletic and have real good overall size," Jon VanOosten said. "There's one lineup I've tried out where our smallest kid out there is 6-3 or 6-4."

The Falcons also have a competitive streak in them that should serve them well in what should be a dog-eat-dog NEMC race reminiscent of the just-completed football campaign.

"The kids really get after it," VanOosten said. "It's actually gotten to the point that we can't even scrimmage very often."

Last years' NEMC race was pretty compelling, with four teams in the running until the final weeks of the season. But with most teams returning more starters than they lost, the level of play should be even higher than a year ago, with an unpredictable league title chase the Falcons fully intend to be part of.