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Brooks Boys Basketball Preview

2006-07 record: 15-7, did not qualify for New England Prep tourney

Returning starters (1): Jordan Mickens, 6-2, Sr., guard

Returning lettermen: Alex Skinner, 6-1, Sr., guard, Haverhill; Austin Smith, 6-2, Sr., forward; Robert Perryman, 6-1, Sr., guard/forward, Danville; Peter Crowley, 6-2, Sr., forward/guard; Alberto Nascimento, 6-1, Soph., guard; Jordan Johnson, 5-10, Soph., guard

Newcomers: Tim Glen, 6-0, Jr., guard/forward; Ivan Kagame, 6-3, Soph., forward; Jason Buco, 6-0, Soph, guard, Methuen; Derek Murphy, 5-10, Soph, guard; Jon Stronach, 6-0, Frosh., guard

Candidates in all grades: 45

Captains: Jordan Mickens, Alex Skinner, Austin Smith

Returning leaders: Jordan Mickens, 7.9 ppg; Alex Skinner, 4.7 ppg; Jordan Johnson, 4.5 ppg; Alberto Nascimento, 3.0 ppg

Returning honorees: None

Assistants: Michael O'Connor, varsity assistant, Kenya Jones, JV coach; Rich Espinal, freshman coach

Odds and ends: Brooks, which opened last weekend with a victory over Pingree, has won at least 14 games each of the last three seasons after four straight losing years. ... Jordan Mickens has committed to play at Williams next year. ... Mickens and Alex Skinner of Haverhill are the only players with significant game experience. Skinner was the seventh man last year. ... Matt Lanchantin, a 6-6 junior transfer, is out for the year with an injury. ... Brooks will be hard-pressed to compete with league favorites St. Mark's and Lawrence Academy. Each has multiple Division 1 scholarship players.

Coach John McVeigh (5th year, 49-38): "We lost a lot to graduation, but we will be scrappy. It is a great group of kids. We are young but eager to go. Our challenge will be our size. In a league as talented as our, keeping our focus and efforts high will be important. A lot of people talk about what we lost and the kids are eager to prove them wrong."