Alvirne's Garrett Hall is a player to watch this season, which opens tonight. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

No one was satisfied around the area in boys basketball circles last winter.

There wasn’t a single local in any division’s Final Four, so the question is, will that change this year?

Bishop Guertin, with a ton of returners, is hoping that’s the case. Nashua South would love to change the script from its quarterfinal exit. Nashua North, with new coach Kyle Tave, hopes to get back to the postseason. Alvirne, under new coach Sam Bonney-Liles, and Merrimack are looking to make more of a tourney impact, and so on. And that’s just Division I.

Watch out for Souhegan, with a ton of talent back.Hollis Brookline wants to get past the quarters, and Milford hopes to get back to the postseason. At any rate, let’s take a look:

DIVISION I

Bishop Guertin should be loaded. The Cards lost just one senior, return 10 players, including All-Staters Connor McGowan, their top scorer (22 ppg.), and big man Eli Youssef.

Other keys are junior guard Luca Fabrizio, plus athletes Sam Woodward (one the Cards’ best rebounders), Andre Steinbruick, Sam Prescott and Josh Corriveau.

“With this blend of experience, athleticism, and competitveness, our coaching staff is as energized as ever heading into this season,” BG coach Will Horne said.

Of course, Nashua South has to overcome the graduation loss of generational player Josh Caruso.But there’s talent returning, for sure, led by 6-8 junior Daniel Karavanic, 6-3 senior guard-forward Josh Tripp, 6-1 junior guard Shane Lemire and 6-2 junior guard Francisco Rodriguez Malagon.

“We should be able to compete with anyone, especially later in the season,” Panthers coach Nate Mazerolle said. “As always, our defense will determine our success. There’s several new players to the varsity, so getting acclimated will take some time.”

Speaking of getting acclimated, for the first time in some 15 years, Nashua North players will be hearing a different voice as Tave gets his program underway. The Titans struggled last year, missing the tournament, and have a ton of new players. Players to watch that have experience are 6-5 senior forward-center Connor Johnston (back from a season-ending injury), 6-2 senior forward and returning starter Josh Sullivan, and 5-7 junior guard Tyson Huang.

“We’re starting the season with four returning players, so hopefully we can lead on those guys early in the season until we can get the newcomers in the program caught up,” Tave said. “So far, the energy and tnthusiasm from the kids have been great. … We know we’ve got our work cut out for us but we’re also looking forward to the top-notch competition n Division I.”

That includes Merrimack, which gave South a battle in the prelims a year ago and can be a tough team on any given night, led by senior Nate Johnson, who could be a First Team All-State player. Brody Towle returns to now be a starter and Zach Reteywill do the same thing.

“I’m excited about this group,” ‘Hawks coach Austin Denton said. “We’re going to be a lunch-pail, hard-nosed team – tough possessions, tough defense and no backing down. That’s the kind of basketball I love.”

Former Bronco standout Bonney-Liles takes over a team that would like to remove the sting from last year’s buzzer-beating tourney exit. Problem is they have just three players back with varsity eperience after graduating nine.

They’ve got talented senior Garrett Hall, one of the state’s best. “He will be huge or us offensively and defenssively,” Bonny-Liles said.

Seniors Sean Chipfunde and Jacoby Durham have key roles, while Angel Kangar has made significant strides and a player Bonney-Liles says he’s most excited about.

“There will be growing pains throughout the season, but this group works their butts off and are very tight-knit,” Bonney -Liles said. “We know that as long as we are playing our best ball come February, that’s all that matters.”

DIVISION II

Besides the return of 6-6 senior center Alton Williams, HB has 6-1 junior Dylan Kelley, 6-2 James Arthur, and 6-4 Bennett Torgersen as mainstays. This team could get back to the quarters and go from there.

“We’re bringing back a veteran core featuring three three-year starters,” coach Ryan Kelley said. “Coming off a 14-4 quarterfinal run, we look to utilize that experience to fuel a fast-paced attack this season.”

Souhegan, meanwhile, certainly feels that way. The Sabers have a whopping nine seniors on the roster, all back from last year, led by leading scorer Weston Hickman, top rebounder Sean Zerega and point guard Evan Bernascon. Senior Joe Mayo, who was a shooter off the bench a year ago, likely joins the starting group as will strong rebounder Syrus Delshad. Looks like a good team.

The Spartans, under alum Emerson, will be led by the backcourt of junior Tyler Constable, a superb defender, and senior Ethan Szopa, who won’t make it back from an injury until January. Junior Alex Butterfield heads a group who will rotate filling Szopa’s shoes.

Emerson also has a number of what he calls “runners”, set to add speed to the frontcourt, led by senior Ethan Moran.

“These players are all fast athletes,” Emerson said of the group.

Nashua South’s Daniel Karavanic, left, Merrimack’s Nate Johnson, and Nashua’s Josh Tripp are all top players in the area this season, which is starting this weekend. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

DIVISION III

Usually Campbell has a plethora of returning regulars, but the Cougars, who have been knocking on the door the last few years, will be young with just one rotation player from a year ago. Key players are 6-1 junior guard Jayden Medina, 6-0 junior forward Jeremy Rafuse, 6-1 junior forward Adam Correau and 6-2 freshman forward Evan Denwiddie.

“We are a very young team with only two seniors, four juniors and six underclassmen,” Cougars coach Justin Dibenedetto said. “We’re focused on developing and improving every game as the season goes on.”

DIVISION IV

Wilton-Lyndeborough, meanwhile, will look to bounce back under head coach Nick Gutterson from a tough start to the season as the Warriors fell 53-18 at Epping late last week to start the season.