Coach: Josh Bishop (first year)

Last year's record: 16-5, lost in Eastern Class A championship

Returning players: Junior — Nate Backus, Kindle Bonsall.

Key losses: Cam Sennick (6-5 forward), Steve Yardley (6-0 guard), Eric Berry (6-1 guard), Blake Hart (6-1 guard), Nick Hilton (6-4 forward), Jamie Brooks (6-2 forward), Aaron Gagnon (5-10 guard), Chad Luker (6-2 forward), Zak Kendall (6-2 forward), Jordan Whitney (5-8 guard), Cam Abbott (6-2 guard).

Promising newcomers: Seniors — Elliot McArthur, Jamie Schank, Charlie Martin; Junior — Brian Durrell; Sophomores — Colton Lawrence, Justin Evans, Drew Parsons, Kody Vining, Brad Durrell, Evan Backus, Devon Hoyt.

Outlook: Everything is new at Mt. Blue, from the gym to the players to the coach. Bishop moves over from Carrabec to fill the big shoes of legendary Jim Bessey, who won almost 500 games. In addition to graduating its starting five, Mt. Blue saw three of its state championship football players elect not to come out for basketball and another lost for the season due to a knee injury. The Cougars will be extremely young and plan to build around Backus and Bonsall, who saw limited time in last year's run to the regional title game.

Coach's comment: "Even though we have no one with a ton of varsity experience, we come with heart, dedication, team work, intensity and positive attitudes. By the end of the year we will compete with anyone in the conference." — Coach Josh Bishop