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Peabody Boys Basketball Preview

Last year's record: 9-9

Coach: Chris Mastrangelo (11th season)

Key returnees: Danny Mello, 5-9, Sr., G; Gary Girolamo, 5-9, Sr., G; Brian Fleming, 6-0, Sr., F; Mark Linehan, 6-1, Jr., F; Matt Marquis, 5-10, Sr., G; Brad Piza, 6-1, Jr., F; Kevin Skop, 6-1, Sr., F.

Strengths: Mello, Fleming and Skop all started about seven games last season and that should come in handy in Peabody's inaugural season in the Northeastern Conference. After being in the Greater Boston League for so long, the Tanners are accustomed to playing and seeing tough, physical defense. Coach Mastrangelo, who has guided the Tanners to the state tourney seven straight years, says he has an intelligent group. Mastrangelo is extremely competitive and will want to make a good first impression in the NEC.

Concerns: The Tanners lost 35-40 points of offense with the graduation of Eddie Leonard and Kyle Multner, so several players have to step in and fill that gap. Overall, Peadody doesn't have a great deal of experience.

Coach's outlook: "I'm just excited about the new league | it's a great opportunity for us. We've always played Salem and we've had games with Lynn Classical, but now we get to play all these teams in the NEC. We're going to miss the Walthams, Cambridges and Somervilles, but we're going to build new rivalries against local teams. Our goals are the same | to improve every game and get to the state tourney."