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Pelham Boys Basketball Preview

2006-07 record: 16-7, lost in Class I quarterfinals

Returning starters (2): Ricky Costa, 5-11, Sr., guard; Justin Hojlo, 5-10, Jr., guard

Returning lettermen: Jamie Vaiknoras, 6-1, Sr., forward; Craig Moreau, 5-11, Sr., guard; Brady Tryon, 5-7, Sr., guard; Danny Trainor, 5-11, Sr., forward; Evan Cove, 5-11, Sr., forward; Grant Hebert, 6-2, Jr., forward

Newcomers: E.J. Baker, 5-9, Jr., guard; Conor McColgan, 6-0, Soph., forward; Stephen Spirou, 6-1, Frosh., forward; Michael Lombard, 6-1, Frosh., forward

Candidates in all grades: 29

Captains: Jamie Vaiknoras, Justin Hojlo

Returning leaders: Justin Hojlo, 19.6 ppg, 55 3-pointers; Ricky Costa, 12.6 ppg.; Jamie Vaiknoras, 4.8 ppg; Evan Cove, 3.4 ppg

Returning honorees: Justin Hojlo, Eagle-Tribune All-Star; Ricky Costa, Eagle-Tribune honorable mention

Assistants: Matt Regan, JV, John Law, Steve Durrance

Opener: Dec. 11 at Hollis-Brookline, 7:30 p.m.

Odds and ends: Pelham carries a 37-game home win streak into the season, a streak that dates back to January of 2004. But seven of the Pythons' first games eight are on the road. ... Justin Hojlo heads into his junior year with 657 points. He broke his ankle in the summer but is now 100 percent. ... Last season's quarterfinal loss ended a run of three straight state final appearances for Pelham. ... Only 29 players went out for basketball, about 10-15 fewer than in some years. ... Freshman Stephen Spirou is related to the well-known coaching family.

Coach: Todd Kress (9th year, 119-61): "We're optimistic. We only have the two returning starters but they were the top two scorers. Justin Hojlo is being moved to the point. That will be very advantageous to us. They (Hojlo and Ricky Costa) are playing very well together. Either can go for 25-30 on any night. Grant Hebert is a unique big man. He can hit the outside shot and is a defensive presence. The freshmen are both very, very legitimate, Stephen Spirou will start at the power forward."