Steve Alex, Portland senior guard: Alex, a 6-foot-2 swingman, was an integral part of the Bulldogs’ undefeated state championship season. He averaged 11 points and five rebounds a game. Alex’s true skills are magnified in the open court.

Markus D’Andrea, Windham senior guard: D’Andrea burst upon the scene his junior year and opened eyes with his outstanding play. A point guard, he averaged 15 points while distributing the ball to his teammates. He makes the Eagles a possible contender in Western Class A.

Nicholas DePatsy, Medomak Valley junior forward: DePatsy led the Panthers in scoring and rebounding as a sophomore. He averaged 18 points. The 6-foot-3 standout can score inside or outside and is a key to the Panthers’ chances of making a run in the Eastern Class B tournament.

John Hepburn, Boothbay Region senior forward: Hepburn averaged 20.4 points last season and is closing in on 1,000 points for his career. He is a four-year starter and has helped keep the program near the top in Western Class C.

Milani Hicks, Scarborough senior guard: Hicks averaged 15 points last season and finished near the top of the SMAA in every offensive category. The 6-foot-1 standout scored 42 points in a preseason game against Kennebunk.

Sam Kilborn, Gorham junior forward: Kilborn is a 6-foot-4 forward with a soft shooting touch from outside. He impressed with his strong play last season, and with a strong supporting cast might make the Rams the team to beat in the SMAA.

Ben Malloy, Bonny Eagle senior forward: The 6-foot-2 forward averaged 14 points last season as the Scots’ second-leading scorer behind Dustin Cole, the Maine Sunday Telegram Player of the Year. He is one of the best 3-point shooters in the SMAA.

Jack Simonds, Falmouth senior center: A returning All-State player, the 6-foot-6 center/forward averaged 15.8 points and 11.2 rebounds last season. Simonds, a left-handed shooter, has the size to control the inside and the shooting touch to hit from outside. He makes the Yachtsmen a contender in Class A.

Shyheim Ulrickson, Mt. Ararat junior guard: A returning All-State player, Ulrickson led the Eagles in scoring for the second straight season. He averaged 17 points last season and more than 20 points as a freshman, when he led the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference in scoring.

Ethan Winglass, Morse senior forward: Winglass sparked the Shipbuilders to a 14-4 regular season and a strong showing in the Western Class B tournament. An all-KVAC selection, he averaged in double figures during the regular season and continued his stellar play in the postseason.

– Tom Chard, Staff Writer