[Stardust]

Boone County
Coach: Greg McQueary (280-255 overall)

Last season: 21-11 (district runner-up, lost to Dixie Heights in region semifinals)

Key players: Sr. G Zane McQueary, Sr. G Cooper Downs, Sr. G Chase Stanley

Fun fact: Boone and Ryle will meet in the season opener for the fourth year in a row. The past two years, the team that won the opener lost to the other in the district final.

Outlook: Graduation losses have robbed the Rebels of their size. Coach McQueary hopes to exploit mismatches with a stable of starting guards, all of whom are coming off solid performances at the regional tournament. Downs averaged 7.1 points and 5.3 assists per game last season; Stanley 6.1 points and 1.8 steals. "We're hoping our strength will be speed and we should be able to shoot the ball," the coach said. "The downside to our lack of size is is two main concerns - how well we rebound and defend in the half court. And we know teams will try to take away Zane, so we need guys to step up and take shots."