A closer look at the Lancers, Spartans boys basketball teams

When looking at the Greater Metro Conference boys baskteball race, I can't see anyone beating a talented Menomonee Falls team (6-3), led by everyone's favorite recruit, J.P. Tokoto. West Allis Central is 7-1, so they also have to be dealt with, and Hamilton is 6-4.

Although not as talented as in the past, Marquette (2-5) should be in the race and Wauwatosa East (3-7) might also be formidable.

If Mark Adams can get Brookfield Central's young team to understand that you play like you practice, they also could be fun to watch. Alex Diciaula, the only senior on the team, is a captain and the team's leading scorer at 17.1 points per game. Just under 10 PPG is junior guard Alex Olson and sophomore Seth Mortag, a 6-5 sophomore.

Central (5-4) needs to play good defense - they were leading a talented Nicolet team in the title game of the Luke Homan Tournament, 42-35, with 2:12 left in the third period when the Knights' press flustered the Lancers and they took control of the rebounding and won the game, 65-54.

East has 6-5 junior C.J. Gregg to lean on, but the Spartans might have trouble scoring this year. Kyle Henning is a good outside threat and 6-3 junior Darius Barnes came off the bench to spark a win over Westosha Central in the LaVern Luebstorf Tournament.

Coach Andy Farley's boys team (2-6) has some height with Colin DeVoe (6-4) and Dan Osgood (6-6) also in the starting line-up.

It will be interesting to see these teams compete this year and defense will be a key if they are going to be successful.