Rocky Grove Orioles
Boys
Coach (season, record): Steve Cutchall (5th season)
2008-09 overall record: 13-11
2008-09 region record (place): 12-10 (tied for second)
Top players lost: Travis Melhuish (second-team all-region), Aaron Luce, Eddie McDonald, Ryan Meyer, Mitch Womeldorf
Top returning players: F Dylan Gravatt jr. (first-team all-region), G Nathan Bell sr., F Brad Farron sr., G Tyler Thompson sr., G Brad Lux sr.
Key games: Dec. 29-30 at Franklin Christmas tournament, Jan. 15 at Wilmington, Jan. 22 at Kennedy Catholic
Outlook: Rocky Grove lost plenty of starters and key players to graduation, but may have one of the best players in the region in junior Dylan Gravatt. Gravatt is an efficient scorer and can develop into the team’s leader this year. Nathan Bell was a solid point guard last season and will be important to the Orioles this season. Rocky Grove will have to get used to the road as 13 of its 22 games are away from its home gym. The Orioles will hit the road for seven of their first right games, including two tournaments. Rocky Grove has the key player any Class A team needs, and if the Orioles develop depth and role players, they could be the team that knocks off Kennedy Catholic for the D-10 title.

Girls
Coach (season, record): Jarrad Griffen (1st season)
2008-09 overall record: 5-17
2008-09 region record (place): 3-5 (tied for third)
Top players lost: Megan Peterson, Melissa McCutcheon, Autumn Mallory, Jen Hoobler, Amy Wielandt
Top returning players: G Alexis Beach jr., G Kayla Rugh sr., G Rikki Gregory sr., G Katie Bell so., F Eden Rembold so.
Key games: Jan. 4 at Farrell, Feb. 4 vs. Farrell
Outlook: Rocky Grove’s season will mean a little more to the Orioles than any other team’s season to them. The Orioles will be without beloved coach Roy Sanner, who died in a motorcycle accident earlier this year. Jarrad Griffen takes over as head coach and will need a big effort from the Orioles in order to be successful. Rocky Grove’s numbers have been down the last few years and could make things difficult this season. Megan Peterson, a 1,000-point scorer, graduated and leaves a big amount of production to be replaced. The Orioles have several players back and could be strong if they come together and develop some depth.

Tuesday: Saegertown

– Tom Reisenweber