Here’s our capsule preview of SPSL North SPSL South boys basketball. Check Thursday’s newspaper or online after midnight tonight for the feature story.

SPSL NORTH

CRYSTAL BALL
1. Federal Way (28-2)
2. Kentwood (19-7)
3. Auburn (13-8)
4. Kentridge (20-9)
5. Jefferson (7-12)
6. Auburn Riverside (11-12)
7. Tahoma (1-19)
8. Kentlake (9-10)
9. Kent-Meridian (1-17)
*2008-09 records

STARTING FIVE
G/F Christian Behrens 6-8 Jr. Tahoma
D-I recruit averaged 21 ppg, 10 rpg as a sophomore

G Gary Bell 6-2 Jr. Kentridge
Three-year starter plays smart and under control

F Cole Dickerson 6-7 Sr. Federal Way
Silky smooth big man has great footwork

C Joshua Smith 6-10 Sr. Kentwood
One of the best centers Washington has produced

G Isiah Umipig 6-1 Sr. Federal Way
Floor general makes good decisions, quick with the ball

THE SKINNY
The SPSL North might boast the two best players in the state in Kentwood C Joshua Smith and Kentridge G Gary Bell. Smith, who will play at UCLA, and the Conquerors have missed out on reaching the state tournament the last two season, but Smith and F Tre Tyler will put Kentwood in position to make a run deep into the postseason. … Bell helped the Chargers reach the state semifinals, but he might have to shoulder much of load early in the season – F Dylan Zylstra (10 ppg, 4 rpg) is the only other returning starter. … Defending state champion Federal Way graduated three starters, but still has a pair of D-I players in F Cole Dickerson and PG Isiah Umipig, along with two 6-5 wings in Robert Christopher and George Williams. … Auburn lost four starters to graduation, but the Trojans played well during the summer and fall and are expected to contend for the league title. Among the returners, W Iszia Johnson is the team’s leading scorer at 8.4 ppg. …Tahoma struggled last season, but the Bears have a host of returners, including G/F Christian Behrens and G Taylor Summerhays, who made 41 percent of his 3-point shots last season. …Shawn Kilgallon takes over as coach at Auburn Riverside and has one of the area’s top players in G Ryan Rogers, who is the Ravens’ only returning starter. … Without much height, Kentlake will run-and-gun and could make a push for a spot in the district playoffs. … F Barento Ahmed (12.3 ppg) leads a Kent-Meridian team that won’t be afraid to shoot the 3. … Jefferson hasn’t reached the district tournament since 1985, but the Raiders could snap that streak with their balanced offense of F Spencer Hicks, W Eric Radford, G Justin Lanier and G Scott Sanford.

SPSL SOUTH

CRYSTAL BALL
1. Beamer (14-13)
2. Decatur (21-6)
3. Curtis (20-9)
4. Puyallup (14-9)
5. Rogers (15-9)
6. Bethel (7-13)
7. Emerald Ridge (5-15)
8. Graham-Kapowsin (1-19)
9. Spanaway Lake (2-18)
*2008-09 records

STARTING FIVE
G Jay Balmer 6-1 Jr. Puyallup
Don’t leave this shooter open on the perimeter

F Kevin Davis 6-8 Sr. Beamer
Big wing span, averaged a double-double last season

G Davonte Lacy 6-2 Jr. Curtis
Say you haven’t heard of him? You will soon

F Jordan McCloud 6-6 Sr. Decatur
Big man dominates near the hoop, runs well

G Jerron Smith 6-3 Jr. Decatur
Smooth shooter scored nearly 16 ppg last season

THE SKINNY
Beamer played its best basketball at the end of last season and found itself in the state tournament. The Titans should continue their roll. F Kevin Davis is one of the best players in the area and is a double-double waiting to happen. G Napa Mefi and G Vladi Aficiuc are capable of turning in 20-point games. Beamer got even stronger when G Terrelle Loggins, a second-team all-South selection, transferred from Spanaway Lake. … Defending South champion Decatur isn’t ready to give up its throne just yet. The Gators’ three returning starters – F Jordan McCloud 913.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg), G Jerron Smith (15.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg) and G Terrell Williams (5.6 ppg, 2.4 apg) – form a solid nucleus that will keep the team gunning for a fourth straight trip to state. … Curtis graduated all five starters, but the Vikings have an emerging star in G Davonte Lacy and he, along with F Julian Vaughn and G Dom Williams, will keep Curtis near the top of the standings. … Puyallup has four starters – G Jare Sager, G Jay Balmer, G Dom Holub and G Alex Reiten – back, but not much height. The Vikings are guard-heavy and will rely on perimeter shooting to stay in games. … Emerald Ridge has good size in posts Derek Burgess (6-8) and Ryan Storaasli (6-4). … Bethel and Rogers are starting from scratch with no returning starters. The Braves’ strength is quickness in guards Jacob Joseph, Jordan Mayes, A.J. Maxwell and Anthony Meray. Rogers will lean on senior forwards Sean Tollan and John Lesage.

DOUG PACEY, THE NEWS TRIBUNE