photo by: Chris Duderstadt

Bishop Seabury sophomore Cobe Green attacks the basket in the second half of the Seahawks' 55-52 loss to Veritas Christian on Friday at Haskell's Coffin Sports Complex.

A pair of area teams captured state titles last year, and are looking to build off that success.

Entering the 2018-19 season, both the Baldwin girls and Bishop Seabury boys are ranked in their respective classes via the preseason poll by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association. The Bulldogs, who won a state title last year, are ranked No. 6 in Class 4A. The Seahawks are listed at No 4 in Class 2A.

Here is a look at all the area teams ahead of the start of the basketball season:

Baldwin girls

Coach: Bob Martin (13th year)

Last year’s record: 24-1 (12-0)

Last year’s finish: 4A-II state champions

Returning starters: Kayla Kurtz, Sr.; Carly Lindenmeyer, Sr.; Kate Ogle, Sr.

Other returners: Macey Frost, Sr.; Rian Gere, Sr.; Josie Boyle, Jr.; Anna Burnett, Jr.; Paige Ellis, Sr.

2018-19 outlook: Baldwin lost several players from last year, but has a good nucleus coming back. The defending champs’ success will depend on how well the players step into their new roles, especially the younger players who will play a significant role for the first time.

Baldwin boys

Coach: Paul Musselman (fifth season)

Last year’s record: 8-13 (3-9)

Last year’s finish: Lost first round in substate to Burlington

Returning starters: No returning starters

Other returners: Nathan Cessna, Sr.; Nathan Fursman, Sr.; Matthew Garber, Jr.; Jordan Barth, Jr.; Alex Berg, Jr.

2018-19 outlook: This is an entirely new team with no returning starters. Baldwin will lean on the guard play due to lack of size. Transfers Monro Morgan (Chapman) and Cameron Dillon (Free State) will be key newcomers for the Bulldogs.

Bishop Seabury girls

Coach: Ryan Gutierrez (first year)

Returning starters: Hillary Griggs, Sr; Sophie Chindamo, So.

2018-2019 outlook: Bishop Seabury is optimistic about this season with two senior leaders in Lindsey Hornberger and Hillary Griggs. The Seahawks also have a plethora of freshmen that will get a lot of experience and have an opportunity to contribute. Seabury hopes to string together some wins and reach the team’s potential by the postseason.

Bishop Seabury boys

Coach: Jonathan Raney (second season)

2017-18 record: 11-10

Last year’s finish: Lost to Olpe in first round of substate

Returning starters: Cobe Green, Jr.; Zach Bloch, So.; Chris Green, Sr.; Luke Hornberger, Jr.

Other Returners: Sam Bayliss, Jr.; Stavian Jones, Jr.; Jett French, Jr.; Henry Nelson, Jr.

2018-19 outlook: Green and Bloch, who are both all-state caliber players, are back for the Seahawks. Jones came on late last year, and is expected to have a bigger role. Miles Branch, a 6-foot-5 sophomore, will be eligible in January. The freshman duo of Joao Carlo and Sam Hertzog will have an impact on the varsity team.

Eudora girls

Coach: Richard Ebel (fourth season)

Last year’s record: 12-10 (6-6)

Last year’s finish: Lost to Bishop Miege in substate championship

Returning starters: Riley Hiebert, Jr.; Reagan Hiebert, Jr.; Emily Watson, Sr.

Other returners: Jayla Pierce, So.; Madison Roether, Sr.

2018-19 outlook: Eudora has good speed and depth. The Cardinals are young in a few positions and should progress rapidly by the end of the season.

Eudora boys

Coach: Kyle Deterding (13th season)

Last year’s record: 14-7

Returning starters: Rock Jerome, Sr.; Jayden Pierce, Sr.; Caleb Zimmerman, Sr.

Other returners: Gavin Elston, Sr.; Noah Watkins, Jr.; Tucker Shackelford, Jr.

2018-19 outlook: Eudora, which hasn’t had a losing season since 2013, hopes to be competitive with a tough schedule this year.

Perry-Lecompton girls

Coach: Don Smith (third year)

Last year’s record, league record: 3-17 (3-13)

Last year’s postseason finish: KCAA State Champions

Returning starters: Jenna Keller, Jr.; Blaise Ball, Jr; Gracie Folks, Sr.; Haley Kellum, Sr; Jolie Hirsch, Sr.

Other returners: Morgan Coyle, Sr; Alley Nalley, Sr; Samantha Worthington, Sr; Rylee Paramore, Jr.

2018-19 outlook: This is a developing group. The Kaws have some young players that are promising.

Perry-Lecompton boys

Coach: Jared Swafford (fifth season)

Last year’s record: 20-4 (13-3)

Last year’s finish: Fell in the 3A quarterfinals

Returning starters: Colton Mallonee, Sr.; Connor Anderson, Sr.; Connor Morgison, Sr.

Other returners: Cole Logan, Sr.; Blake Gamer, Jr.; Dawson Williams, So.; Parker Stone, So.

2018-19 outlook: Perry-Lecompton will look to build off its first state berth in 35 years, and will return a lot of experience.

Tonganoxie girls

Coach: Drew Williams (second season)

Last year’s record: 6-15 (3-9)

Last year’s postseason finish: Loss in first round of sub-state

Returning starters: Anna Soetaert, Sr.; Mo Wetta, Sr.; Megan Martinez, Sr.; Lauren Gray, Jr.; Morgan Brusven, So.

Other returners: Merkaia Khanthaboury, Jr.; Ashtin Barnes, So.

2018-19 outlook: This is year No. 2 for Tonganoxie in a new system and culture. The Chieftains transition to a stacked Frontier League this season, but have made great strides in the offseason to find more success on the court this winter.

Tonganoxie boys

Coach: Phil Jones (first season)

Last year’s record: 4-17

Returning starters: Hayden Robbins, Sr.

Other returners: Elijah Tyner, Jr.

2018-19 outlook: The Chieftains, who have not made it to the state tournament since 1984, are in a new league with a new coach. The team lacks experience, but the players will have the opportunity to shine in a new system.

Veritas boys

Coach: Carl Huslig

Last year’s record: 17-11 (8-2)

Last year’s postseason finish: KCAA state champions

Returning starters: Tucker Flory, Sr.; Trey Huslig, Sr.

Other returners: Scott Weinhold, Sr.; Jackson Rau, Sr.; Will Rau, So.

2018-19 outlook: Veritas will have an experienced team that starts four seniors and will be the most athletic squad under Huslig. Veritas will have a challenging schedule, as it goes for its third consecutive KCAA state championship.