A look at the boys’ basketball conferences

The Delsea boys' basketball team could burst onto the South Jersey scene this season.

The Crusaders loom as the favorite in the Tri-County Royal with a top junior in Cedric Elleby, who averaged 15.8 points and 11 rebounds last season, along with three other returning starters and a key transfer.

Senior guard Kyle McCulley is a top outside shooter who averaged 10.4 points. The Crusaders also return senior guard Bobby Lanzolotti and junior guard Brandon Williams, and should get a lift from Vineland transfer Tre Parker, an inside force.

Delsea is seeking its first division title since 1997.

Under new coach Tom Gross, Clearview will challenge behind veterans Brian Lukacsy and McCabe Reim.

Kingsway and Williamstown are rebuilding under new coaches. Andrew Owens takes over at Kingsway, which has won three consecutive South Jersey Group 3 titles. The Dragons will regroup behind senior forward Julian Trention.

Jim Ambrosius takes over at Williamstown, which lost in the South Jersey Group 4 final on a buzzer-beater last season. The Braves have a top young point guard in sophomore Marques Little.

Tri-County Diamond. Gloucester Catholic and Penns Grove should battle for this title.

The Rams have a top point guard in senior Robbie Alessandrine, who averaged 12 points and five assists. Senior Ryan Schoppy is a 6-foot-5 center, and junior Mike Shawaryn is an athletic, 6-4 swingman.

Defending champion Penns Grove returns four starters, led by senior Daquan Chase and junior GeShaun Davis.

Tri-County Classic. Gloucester looms as the favorite, as 6-0 guard Stefano Okoro is one of the top juniors in South Jersey.

Okoro averaged 17.5 points and six rebounds. The Lions also have a top inside player in 6-4 senior Tajee Almon, who averaged 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Defending champion Pitman has a veteran guard in senior Jon Boyd, a top sophomore in Eric Stafford, and one of South Jersey's most highly touted freshmen in 6-8 Tim Delaney.

Schalick should be in the mix with some young inside players such as 6-8 sophomore Rashaan Armstead, who averaged seven points and 10 rebounds.

Olympic American. Eastern returns its starting lineup, led by senior shooting guard Mike Wilson and junior swingman Devin Bell.

Seniors Kyle Robostello and Evan Ward lead a deep Lenape team that should be a factor in the race. Cherry Hill East has two top seniors in guard Marc Schlessel and forward Jake Gurkin.

Olympic Patriot. Shawnee has a pair of top junior guards in Josh Borrelli and Ryan Bodnar and could get a big boost from senior guard Dan Mumford, a transfer from Florida.

Timber Creek could surprise, as the Chargers have two talented transfers in 6-7 junior Dominique Reid, who played at Trenton Catholic, and 5-10 junior Eric Church, who played at St. Anthony. Senior guard T.J. LaScala is a veteran leader.

Olympic National. Three of South Jersey's best teams will battle in this division.

Bishop Eustace has four returning starters, led by senior point guard Carson Puriefoy and senior swingman Sho DaSilva. Paul VI has four returning starters, led by senior point guard Ron Curry, senior guard Kris O'Connor, and senior center Roosevelt Cubbage.

Camden Catholic has a top junior in swingman Kyle Green and a veteran point guard in senior Matt McElhatton.

Camden could surprise, behind senior forwards Thomas Harper and Ajwan Leaming and sophomore guards Tavaris Headen and Maliq Bryant.

Woodrow Wilson will be in the mix, led by Mikal Harris, Joe Taylor, and Jerome Walters.

Burlco Liberty. Rancocas Valley returns two starters from last year's Central Jersey Group 4 champion: point guard Tariq Jett, who averaged 13.2 points, and forward Dom Twitty, a Minnesota football recruit.

Burlington Township returns two starters from last year's Central Jersey Group 3 champions: guards Jalon Wilson, who averaged 13 points, and Remi Odulana, who averaged six assists.

Colonial Liberty. Haddon Heights has one of South Jersey's top backcourts in senior Davon Jones, who averaged 12 points, and junior Brandon Joyner, who averaged 10. Senior swingman Nick Lundholm is another veteran for the Garnets.

Haddonfield returns two starters from last year's champions: 6-4 senior Mike Lacatena and 6-3 junior Chris Biddle. Jake Sikkema, a 6-1 junior, was last year's sixth man.

Sterling returns a top senior in guard Tyler Clark and junior guards Marcus Taylor and Jerry Crismond. Collingswood will rebuild behind senior guard Chris Michael.

Colonial Patriot. Paulsboro has one of the state's top juniors, 6-5 forward Xavier Lundy, who averaged 21.3 points.

The Red Raiders also return 6-8 junior Julian Davenport and senior guards Calvin Johnson and Juwan Alford.

Haddon Township will challenge with a veteran team, led by 6-6 senior forward Logan Murray.

Burlco Patriot. Willingboro looms as the favorite with senior point guard Tyrell Maloney, who averaged 18.1 points, and Trenton Catholic transfer Ronny Paden, who has signed with St. Peter's.

Cinnaminson has a top inside player in junior forward Xavier Wilson.

Cape American. Atlantic City returns three-year starters in forward Keyshawn Reynolds and guard Martel Johnson. The Vikings will get a big boost in January, as 6-7 junior Jaleem Montague is expected back from a knee injury and junior Gabriel Chandler, a transfer from Atlantic Christian, becomes eligible.

Holy Spirit has a top guard in junior Paul Moore and one of South Jersey's most promising sophomores in swingman Junior Saintel.

Cape National. St. Augustine Prep has a deep team led by senior swingman Brent Slotoroff; senior forward Austin Johnson, a Penn State football recruit; and junior guard Mike Greenman.

Middle Township will rebuild with a strong junior class led by Tom Feraco, son of the coach, also Tom, as well as LaMarr Greer Jr., Tom Catanosa, and Darrell Shelton.

Ocean City has a nice one-two punch in Chris Turner and Matt Busch, and Lower Cape May features one of the Cape's top athletes in senior Vance Matthews.

Cape United. Wildwood Catholic looks strong with a top point guard in senior T-John Casiello, a four-year starter who averaged 14 points.