Preseason hoop picks

Without any knowledge -- when have I -- here are the teams to beat in boys basketball.

MTAL
1. Stevenson: Who in the MTAL is going to stop 6-foot-8 Tucker Forbes?
2. Carmel: Devin Pearson will be on the court by December.
3. Pacific Grove: Head coach Dan Powers is worth two wins alone on wisdom.
4. Marina: The cupboard isn't completely dry with Ricardo Esparza-Ponce back.
5. Gonzales: Returns nearly the entire team from last year.
6. Soledad: Could feed off the success of the football program.
7. King City: Will be better than last year's two-win MTAL season.
8. Greenfield: Can go nowhere but up.

MBL
1. Monterey: Stephen Dorsey is going to enjoy playing with the transfer playmaker.
2. Watsonville: The defending champions return 6-foot-7 Lamar Cowens.
3. Monte Vista: Josh Mooney and his 25 points a game are back once football ends.
4. Seaside: Graduation gutted this team of 10 players.
5. Christopher: A sleeper team in the MBL.
6. North County: Will be the most improved team in the county.
7. Pajaro Valley: Two years ago this program had more 3's than 2-point field goals.

TCAL
1. Palma: Junior Noah Allen is a legitimate Division I prospect.
2. San Benito: Return two all-leaguers, including leading scorer Jordan Belton.
3. Salinas: Lost five all-leaguers to graduation, including 6-foot-8 Frank Rogers.
4. Alvarez: This team could be lethal if everyone stays eligible.
5. Gilroy: Lost its top five scorers to graduation.
6. North Salinas: If it doubles its win total for the second straight year, the playoffs are on the horizon.
7. Alisal: The House of Thrills is going through growing pains.