Boys projected basketball finishes

Monterey Bay League
Gabilan Division
1. Monterey: The focus of the offense is on four players, not just one. The bench is a concern.
2. Alisal: Didn't beat any team of significance in the preseason. But sure looked impressive.
3. Palma: You can't sleep on a team that has won 36 straight league games. And Palma got better as the preseason went along.
4. Salinas: It's a new cast in the starting lineup. The difference is this group has chemistry.
5. Monte Vista: No one has a post with experience like 6-foot-10 Lucas Schmidt.
6. North County: First year coach Patrick Kilty has them going in the right direction. But there will be growing pains.
7. San Benito:  It's no fun rebuilding a program when you're in the Gabilan Division.

Pacific Division
1. Alvarez: Eight players are back from last year. Can they all get on the same page?
2. Christopher: I'm not sure Christopher belongs in the Pacific Division.
3. Seaside: Matthew Briscoe will get some help with the return of two starters this month.
4. Pajaro Valley: May have to outscore teams to keep itself in title contention this year.
5. North Salinas: Don't be mislead by its non-league record. This team will be a sleeper in the Pacific.
6. Gilroy: Looking to bounce back from a 19 loss season last winter, having already equaled last year's entire win total
7. Watsonville: Growing pains are expected for a program that endured a five-game losing streak in the preseason.

Mission Trail Athletic League
1. Pacific Grove: It may be a scoring by committee approach for the reigning four-time league champions. Defense has to come to the forefront.
2. Carmel: With freshman JT Bryne and sophomore Kai Lee, this program could be at the top for a number of years.
3. Stevenson: A mixture of youth and veteran leadership make the Pirates a threat in a league that has five teams that will be in playoff contention.
4. Soledad: Billy Hollman is a double-double machine. The key for Soledad is his support system.
5. King City: Might have been the biggest surprise in the non-league season, having surpassed last year's entire win total.
6. Greenfield: Struggled in non-league play with its offense, scoring under 50 points in four of six games.
7. Trinity: I would have liked to have seen Trinity in the MTAL last year. It's never good to rebuild in a stronger league.
8. Oakwood: While it's coming off a 22 win season, it didn't play its first game until Dec. 29. What is it doing in the MTAL?

Coastal Athletic League
1. Gonzales: Pablo Villasenor should have a double-double on a nightly basis.
2. Marina: Gave up a lot of points in non-league play. Offensively, it needs to step up.
3. York: Will play its first game when the league season begins.
4. Pacific Collegiate: Could be a darkhorse in the CAL
5. Anzar: It's hard to get a feel for a program that hasn't won a non-league game in three years.
6. Ceiba College Prep: Brand new team with not a lot of expectations.