Division II boys basketball welcomes back Kearsarge from Division III, and the Cougars immediately assume the spotlight as the team to beat.

Cole Etten takes over the Hollis Brookline program with a solid group, including second-team all-stater Matt Simco. The Cavaliers should figure prominently in the race.

Don’t sell out the local contingent, though. Both Souhegan and Milford return experienced core groups and figure to be amid the playoff contenders come late February. There is a feeling of balance through the top 14 or 15 teams in the division like rarely has happened before.

At Division IV Wilton Lyndeborough, Dave Wheeler takes the helm after two years (37-2) at the Marlborough School. He welcomes a young Cougar roster to the fold. The Cougars dropped their opener at Lin-Wood already.

DIVISION II

Milford

HEAD COACH: Dan Murray

LAST YEAR’S RESULTS: 18-2, state semifinalists

RETURNING VARSITY STARTERS: None

RETURNING LETTERMEN: Jamie Pare, Sr.; Zach King, Sr.; Jon Huston, Sr.

PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Max Fortin, Jr.; Sam Santennelli, Jr, Jake Greska, Soph.; Gavin Urda Soph.

COACH’S COMMENTS: “This team has potential to be good but must learn to trust each other and utilize all of our talent.”

Souhegan

HEAD COACH: Peter Pierce

RETURNING STARTERS: Ryan Hickey, Sr., guard; Anderson Geffard, Sr., guard

RETURNING LETTERMEN: Jeff Boehm, Jr., guard/forward; Jeff Keiswetter, Jr., guard; Max Leonard, Sr., forward; Jordan LauQuan, Sr., forward

PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Vince Bowman, Jr., center; Trey Johnson, Soph., guard; Khaled Nazeer, Jr., forward; Brian Heaney, Sr., forward; Matt McCool, Frosh., forward; Curtis Redd, Soph., g; Sam Corbett, Soph., guard/forward; Robert McGrath, Jr., guard; Chase Woods, Sr., center; Noah Davis, Sr., forward

COACH’S COMMENTS: “This team is a nice blend of lower and upperclassmen blending energy and experience and should successfully compete in every game.”‘

DIVISION IV

Wilton-Lyndeborough

HEAD COACH: Dave Wheeler

LAST YEAR’S RESULTS: 13-11, lost in first round of playoffs

RETURNING VARSITY STARTERS: Jake Lavert, 5-11, Sr., guard; Jack Schwab, 5-8, Soph., guard; Cody Swett, 6-2, Jr., center

RETURNING LETTERMEN: Josh Poulitt, 5-10, Jr., forward; Neil Brennan, 5-11, Jr., forward; Jacob Yurcak, 5-11, Sr., forward; Owen McGettigan, 5-8, Jr., forward

PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Kyle Tremblay, 5-7, Frosh., guard; Jace Scott, 5-10, Frosh., forward; Harrison Browne, 6-1, Soph., center; JJ LeBlanc, 6-0, Frosh., forward; Sean Brennan, 5-7, Frosh., guard; Troy Brennan, 5-7, Frosh., guard

COACH’S COMMENT ON TEAM: “We lost our two biggest guys who contributed much of the offense last year. The good news is that we have some strong returning players including an outstanding freshmen class.”