Amherst Regional

COACH: Jim Matuszko, 21st year

LEAGUE/DIVISION: Valley League/1

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 13-9

LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: 2018, lost 57-55 to Putnam in WMass semifinals

RETURNING STARTERS:

RETURNING PLAYERS: Seniors — Akeme Hilson-Mallory, G/F; Soul-Jah Gomes-Ferreira, G; Sam Leonard, F/C; Sophomores — J.B. Mills, F; Evan Perry, F/C; Charles Woodfine-Holmes, G.

NEWCOMERS: Senior — Steven Steele, G; Juniors — Tabor Bowman, F; Phat Nguyen, G/F; Taylen Pope, G; Freshman — Isa Mahal Castro McCauley, G/F.

OUTLOOK: The Hurricanes have a lot of hard work to do after graduating their top two scorers, but it’s work they’re willing to do. “It’s like we’re rebuilding trying to find who can fit in and who can go where,” Matuszko said. “I like their enthusiasm.” Woodfine-Holmes and Perry gained valuable experience as freshman and should see expanded roles.

Belchertown

COACH: Matt Stenuis, third year

LEAGUE/DIVISION: Hampshire South/2

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 12-9

LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: 2018, lost 94-52 to Longmeadow in WMass quarterfinals

RETURNING STARTERS:

RETURNING PLAYERS: Seniors — Kyle Bechthold, F; Evan Burton, G; Zachery Wrona, F; Juniors — Owen Raines, G.

NEWCOMERS: Senior — James Lawless, F; Juniors — Tyler Grisson, F; Hunter Klingensmith, G; Sophomores — Jordan Lanoue, G/F; Nathan Schiffer, G.

OUTLOOK: Last year was a breakthrough season for the Orioles after going 0-40 the previous two years. They reached the postseason behind 1,000-point scorer Mitch Medina. Four seniors graduated from that team, including three of their top four scorers. Despite that, the Orioles aren’t starting all over with six returners, five of them seniors. “We’re in a pretty good spot,” Stenuis said. Belchertown will lean on strong team chemistry and speed, running at every opportunity.

Frontier Regional

COACH: Ben Barshefsky, ninth year

LEAGUE/DIVISION: Hampshire North/3

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 14-8

LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: 2018, lost 70-54 to Monument Mountain in WMass quarterfinals

RETURNING PLAYERS: Seniors — Timmy Barrington, G; Zach Nuerminger, F; Junior — Gabe Jones-Thomson, F; Sophomores — Peter Carey, F; Owen Morse, G.

NEWCOMERS: Juniors — Collin Boudreau, C; Sam Felton-Emrick, G; Gabe Gochinski, G; Brett Robinson, G; Owen Walkowicz, F.

OUTLOOK: Carsten Carey anchors the Red Hawks on both ends of the floor. He’s improved his ballhandling and spot-up shooting in the offseason. “He’s really smooth,” Barshefsky said. Sharp will steady the offense from the guard spot while Evans provides scoring and rebounding beside Carey. Frontier beefed up its schedule, bringing Division 1 West Springfield and perennial Division 3 contender Hoosac Valley to South Deerfield. “It helps to paint a true picture as to where we’re at,” Barshefsky said.

Hopkins Academy

COACH: Adam Ginsburg, first year

LEAGUE/DIVISION: Hampshire South/4

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 20-3

LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: 2018, lost 59-53 to Pioneer Regional in WMass final

RETURNING STARTERS:

RETURNING PLAYERS: Juniors — Erik Berg, F; Nathan Walden, G.

NEWCOMERS: Junior — Ryan Antes, F; Sophomores — Josiah Beck, G; Addison Phifer, F; John Pipczynski, C; Freshman — Andrew Ciaglo, G.

OUTLOOK: The Golden Hawks’ streak of Division 4 championships ended, and former coach Angelo Thomas left to coach his alma mater Greenfield. Enter Ginsburg, who has 20 years of assistant coaching experience at the Division I college level, including 12 at UMass. Hopkins graduated five seniors and will only return four players. It’s a fresh slate, but the Golden Hawks don’t expect to slip.

South Hadley

COACH: Juan Maldonaldo, fourth year

LEAGUE/DIVISION: Bi-County East/3

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 7-13

LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: 2017, lost 58-51 to Taconic in WMass semifinals

RETURNING STARTERS:

OTHER RETURNING PLAYERS: Juniors — Marquise Fitzell, G; Tyrell Braithwaite, G.

NEWCOMERS: Senior — Cristiano Casolari, C; Junior — Brady Marion, G; Sophomore — Kyle Johnson, G; Freshman — Dylan Cottingham, G.

OUTLOOK: Go-to guy Calvin Bridges has graduated, and the Tigers will make up for it with more team-oriented play. Maldonado expects Dawson to return fully healthy from a broken collarbone suffered during football season. Carey will lead the offense. “He understands the game, he knows where he has to be,” Maldonado said. South Hadley possesses strong chemistry after playing with each other for several years.