Brockport’s Willie Ball (3) looks to make a pass with Pittsford Mendon’s Connor Krapf (10) is in the background. (Photo: JODI ZUROWSKI/Z’s PHOTOTASTIC)

Monroe County Division III

BRIGHTON BARONS

Last season: Finished 12-8 and lost to Greece Athena, 51-41 in the Class A1 quarter-finals.

Coach: David Tisa/first season at Brighton.

Top returners: Jasper Newman Sr. F, Kendall Clyburne, Sr. G, Ryan Martin Sr. F, Will Brownell Sr. F and Jason Lohwater Sr. F.

Top newcomers: Najeeb Awad Jr. PG and Sam Gosselin Jr. PG.

First game: Friday, December 1st vs. Eastridge.

Outlook: Replacing 1^st team All-County performer Ike Nelson will be challenging. However, Brighton has a lot of returners including five seniors who played quality minutes and will have the opportunity to lead the Barons back into the top tier of the league. How quickly can the Barons adapt to Tisa’s new system and style of play, while trying to replace Nelson’s scoring?

BROCKPORT BLUE DEVILS

Last season: Finished 15-7 and lost in the A1 semi-finals to eventual NYS champ Irondequoit, 70-47.

Coach: Sean Jessop/ third season at Brockport (20-23)/eight years total at varsity level (50-111).

Top returners: Amire Odey Sr. F, 6-foot (8.0 PPG), Noah Schultz Sr. F, 6-foot-6 (9.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG), Jake Jurhs Sr. G 5-foot-10 (6.0 PPG) and Willie Ball Jr. PG 5-foot-7 (5.0 PPG).

First game: Friday, December 1st vs. Canandaigua.

Outlook: Brockport returns four third-year players with starting experience, but don’t have a great deal of depth behind them. With a squad of only 10 players and two coming off injuries, the Blue Devils will have to play smart and avoid the injury bug. Expect Brockport to compete for a league title if they stay healthy and get contributions from a couple of incoming juniors.

VIEW MORE OF JODI ZUROWSKI’S PHOTOS HERE.

CANANDAIGUA BRAVES

Last season: Finished 13-9 and lost to East High, 46-43 in the Class A1 quarter-finals.

Coach: Charles DeTaeye/first season.

Top returners: Devin O’Dell Sr. G, Danny Herrick Sr. G, Noah Emerson Sr. G/F, Jack Ferris Sr. F, Scott Loforte Sr. F/C, Connor Fisher Sr. F and Zack Johnson Sr. G.

Top newcomers: Mitchell Pfieffer Jr. G, Chris Kurowski Jr. F, Michael Sculli Jr. G and AJ Clifford Jr. G.

Next game: Friday, December 1st vs. Brockport.

Outlook: In DeTaeye’s first season at the helm, Canandaigua will make the adjustment from controlled, set offenses and defenses to a player-friendly, up-tempo, position-less style.

Sutherland’s Kevin Ryan (00) missed the second half of the 2016-17 season with a broken hand. (Photo: CHRISTOPHER CECERE/ROCHESTER CC PHOTOGRAPHY).

VIEW MORE CHRISTOPHER CECERE PHOTOS HERE.

GREECE ATHENA TROJANS

Last season: Finished 19-4 won the Division II title and lost to eventual NYS champion Irondequoit, 61-44 in the Class A1 finals.

Coach: Mike Setzer/ second season (19-4).

Top returners: Ryan Kubanka Sr. F 6-foot-5 (leading rebounder last year), Nigel Scantlebury Sr. PG 6-foot (First Team All-County, team leader in scoring and assists) and Patrick Meisenzahl Sr. G 5-foot-10 (team leader in assist/turnover ratio, second in three-point shooting percentage and assists).

Top newcomers: Christian Jones: Sr. G 6-foot-1 (transfer from Southwind in Memphis), Johnny Salone Jr. F 6-foot-3 (transfer from Medina), Melvin Council So. G 6-foot-1 (JV Co-MVP last year), Kelvin Reaves Jr. G/F 6-foot-1 (JV Co-MVP last year) and Isaiah Brock Jr. G/F 5-foot-10.

First game: Friday, December 1st vs. Greece Arcadia.

Outlook: Although they lost two All-County players in Chad Scorse and Kenny Speed, Athena returns three starters and is looking forward to another solid season. Their biggest challenge will be a lack of size and depth in the front court. Can the Trojans stay out of foul trouble while playing aggressive defense?

Nigel Scantlebury attempts to inbound the ball to Patrick Meisenzahl (12) during the Section Five Class A1 championship game last March. (Photo: PAUL GOTHAM/PICKIN’ SPLINTERS)

PITTSFORD MENDON VIKINGS

Last season: Finished 12-9 and lost to Brockport, 58-41 in the A1 quarter-finals.

Coach: Bob Nally/ third season (21-22).

Top returners: Matt Powers Sr. G/F 6-foot-2 (15 PPG) and Connor Krapf Jr. G 6-foot (9.0 PPG).

Top newcomers: Daniel Cook Jr. F 6-foot-5, 185 lbs, Michael Harrington Jr. G 6-foot-3, 175 lbs and Jacob Shadders Fr. G 5-foot-11, 150lbs.

First game: Wednesday, December 6th vs. Brighton.

Outlook: Mendon lost eight seniors due to graduation from last year’s team, so there are many new faces. Playing consistent defense will be a priority as the Vikings look to build off last year’s success.

Noah Schultz (32) averaged nine points and eight rebounds for Brockport last season. (Photo: JODI ZUROWSKI/Z’s PHOTOTASTIC)

PITTSFORD SUTHERLAND KNIGHTS

Last season: Finished 9-13 and lost in the A2 quarter-finals to Wayne, 46-43.

Coach: John Nally/18th season (232-134).

Top returners: Kevin Ryan Jr. F 6-foot-5 210 lbs (18.0 PPG before broken hand forced him to miss second half of season), Craig Rosen Sr. G 6-foot-1, 170 lbs. (third-year varsity player).

Next game: Wednesday, December 6th vs. Canandaigua.

Outlook: Sutherland returns 10 players who all played quality minutes a season ago. The loss of Ryan last year slowed the Knights which defeated Greece Athena in the 2016 Class A1 sectional final. After a year in A2, Sutherland returns to A1. They should win a decent amount of games but know the challenges ahead in climbing back to the top.