Here's a team-by-team look at the Mid-Penn Colonial Division:
Camp Hill Lions
2012: 12-5, 7-1 Colonial
Head coach: Greg Herb
The Lions are loaded, with the strongest squad to-to-bottom in the division. MPC singles champ Paxton Fitzpatrick and No. 2 Patrick Yang, both Patriot-News all-stars last year, lead the way. Prohibitive team favorites.
Key returnees: Paxton Fitzpatrick, so.; Patrick Yang, sr. (jr.-eligible); Troy Getty, jr.; Matthew Leach, sr.
James Buchanan Rockets
2012: 9-5, 4-4
Head coach: Terri Beegle
The Rockets will throw a talented bunch of seniors at the rest of the division and see if they stick. Biggest threat to Camp Hill. Tops in the brigade are Grant Strawoet, Garrett Malanka and Andrew Rupert. Strawoert made D-3 in singles and doubles (alongside Malanka).
Key returnees: Grant Strawoet, sr; Garrett Malanka, sr.; Andrew Rupert, sr.; Aubrey Brown, sr.
Bishop McDevitt Crusaders
2012: 7-5, 5-3
Head coach: Christina Lacey
The Crusaders are paced at top singles by senior Matthew Fulponi and coached by newcomer Christina Lacey. The loss of 10 players from a year ago means McD is one giant question mark, frankly. That may prevent a team run at the likes of Camp Hill and JB.
Key returnees: Matthew Fulponi, sr.; Steven Lacey, jr.; Alex Metro, jr.
East Pennsboro Panthers
2012: 5-6, 4-4
Head coach: Pat Forsburg
Where have all the kids gone? Longtime head coach of a formerly robust program, Forsburg started the season last week with four rostered players -- but expects to secure the service of three more this week. Still ... "It should be interesting," he said. The Panthers have Erik Etter at top singles, a junior and district silver medalist in doubles alongside No. 2 Matt Price. Freshman Gabe Petrovic is slated for the third singles slot.
Key returnees: Erik Etter, jr; Matt Price, sr.
Trinity Shamrocks
2012: 2-9, 2-6
Head coach: Tony Cooper
Cooper, the girls' head coach, takes over the boys' squad this spring. He'll have Mark Moore, a senior, at the top of the playlist, followed by sophomore George Hempt at second singles. Louis Guyer and Chase Ketterman hold down top dubs as soon as No. 3 singles player Emory Gustall gets his eligibility paperwork squared away. A .500 team campaign would be considered a successful spring.
Key returnees: Mark Moore, sr.,; George Hempt, so.; Emory Gustall, jr.
Middletown Blue Raiders
2012: 1-10, 1-7
Head coach: Bill Fair
The Blue Raiders have squad stability at the top, led by Joe Harkins and D.J. Brinton at first and second singles same as 2012. Sophomore Harry Kapenstein slides into the No. 3 singles slot. Freshman Eric Elles joins junior Alex Mosher at one doubles. Coach Bill Fair hopes another year of experience carries over and the results are better season than a year ago, when the squad won one match.
Key returnees: Joe Harkins, sr.; D.J. Brinton, jr.; Alex Mosher, jr.
Susquenita Blackhawks
2012: 0-10, 0-8
Head coach: Alice Cook
Ryan Peterson, a junior, is elevated to top singles from second last season as the Hawks finally return home to campus courts christened by the girls' team last fall. Dalton Mabius sits at No. 2. Cook has 11 players, good numbers for the club. Having a true home again might help Nita snap a team match winless streak dating back more than year.
Key returnees: Ryan Peterson, jr.; Dalton Mabius, sr.
INDEPENDENT
Harrisburg Academy Spartans
2012: 4-8
Head coach: April Gift
The Spartan boys will be paced by seniors Greg Gaudio, Nick Schmidt and Nathan Waldorn at 1-3 singles. Gift considers Gaudio and Schmidt as Nos. 1 and 1-A. Nick's twin brother Nate Schmidt, Phillippe Rivera and C.J. Porterfield will be part of the doubles field for HA.
Key returnees: Greg Gaudio, sr.; Nick Schmidt, Sr.
TWITTER: @Jeff_Dewees