Familiar faces

Jordan Nuckolls, Ozark, 6-4 senior: Possibly the premier post player in the Ozarks, Nuckolls burst on to the scene with an array of athletic moves. He averaged 17.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game last season.

Preston Guiot, Bolivar, 5-11 junior: Guiot, one of the best scoring point guards around, averaged 20 points as a sophomore.

Mike Wiebe, Branson, 6-6 senior: A true inside-outside threat, Wiebe averaged 18.9 points and 6.4 rebounds, helping the Pirates win their first district title since 1962.

Jordan Keeney, Nixa, 6-2 junior: Keeney uses his strength to muscle defenders to the basket. He'll also need to use that force on the boards as this year's Nixa team lacks size.

Tate Unruh, Branson, 5-11 senior: One of the better shooters in the area, Unruh can single-handedly win a game if he gets hot from the perimeter.

Jacob Marty, Reeds Spring, 6-6 senior: An athletic post player, Marty averaged 18 points last season and expanded his game to the 3-point line.

Ronnie Rust, Willard, 6-6 senior: The Tigers' returning leading scorer, Rust's slender but tall build helps from the perimeter. He averaged 12.5 points and 5.5 rebounds last year.

Andrew Behrle and Kyle Gawlowski, Buffalo, 5-10 seniors: The Bison backcourt is as veteran and solid as any in the conference. Berhel averaged 10 points and Gawlowski averaged 9.2.

Fresh faces

Webb City, Neosho, Carthage, Catholic and Hollister: These five schools join the COC this season. Webb City, Neosho and Carthage fold into the large division, while Catholic and Hollister are the conference's two smallest schools.

Trey Laveroni, Webb City, 6-4 senior: The only returning starter from last year's state team averaged 10.0 points per game.

Drew Dunton, Rogersville, 6-5 senior: Dunton could emerge as one of the area's best post players. He'll be more lethal than last year's 5 points per game.

David Bailey, Catholic, 5-9 junior: Bailey led an inexperienced Fightin' Irish team last season with 12 points per game.

Alex Wise, Neosho, 5-10 senior: He's the Wildcats' leading returning scorer at 7 points per game.

Dylan Samuelson, Carthage, 5-10 senior: A good shooter, Samuelson shot 41 percent from 3-point range last year en route to averaging 8 ppg.

Tim Huskisson, Willard, 6-2 sophomore: Huskisson will battle for time at the point guard position, but has a nice blend of skills that could translate into a big season.

Republic coach Gary Stanfield: Stanfield put in 15 years of high school coaching (246-160) before serving as an assistant and a head coach at Drury University from 1985-2004.

Jherod Evans, Hollister, 5-10 senior: Evans does a little bit of everything. He averaged 12 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists last season.

Kevin Stander, Republic, 5-9 junior: Temporarily slowed by a wrist injury, Stander should be the motor to this year's unproven Tiger group.

Vaughan's take

It was this time last season, Ozark coach Steve Hunter didn't know what to make of his squad.

Just a year later, everyone seems to have the Tigers pigeonholed -- as the hunted.

Ozark is the clear-cut preseason favorite in the COC's big-school division, returning much of its core, including star Jordan Nuckolls and its entire backcourt.

Look for teams like Branson, Nixa and COC newcomer Webb City to be legitimate threats to the Tigers' expected crown.

Branson brings back one of the best inside-outside combos in forward Mike Wiebe and guard Tate Unruh. If the Pirates get some help from some unknown resources, they'll contend.

Nixa won't wow anyone with its size, but guards Jordan Keeney and Patrick Chandler will lead the way.

Sure, Webb City lost four starters, but Trey Laveroni is ready for a breakout season and the Cardinals always have enough athletes.

Schools like Republic and Willard are big question marks with unproven squads.

In the small-school division, look for Rogersville to emerge as a favorite with Drew Dunton in the post and Wes Bird on the perimeter. With Preston Guiot, Bolivar will be a factor and Reeds Spring and Buffalo are expected to improve.

Of course, there's always interest in how the five new teams (Carthage, Catholic, Hollister, Neosho and Webb City) affect the dynamic of the conference.