Fearless Forecast

Staff writer Phil Anastasia projects the champions for the boys' and girls' basketball season:

Group 4: Cherokee. The Chiefs still are kicking themselves over the loss to eventual state champion Lenape in last season's sectional semifinals. Point guard Willis Nicholson leads the way. Lenape will be back in contention, and so will 2009 sectional finalist Washington Township.

Group 3: Kingsway. Two sectional titles in a row for the emerging Gloucester County power? Why not? The Dragons got an impact transfer in 6-foot-4 senior Elijah Bonsignore, have a top athlete in Rondell Gilmore, and lots of reinforcements from a 20-0 junior varsity. Watch out for Lower Cape May.

Group 2: Middle Township. Veteran coach Tom Feraco just shook his head, "No, no, no." But the Panthers should emerge from a loaded field that should also feature defending champion Camden, Collingswood, and Haddonfield.

Group 1: Woodbury. The Thundering Herd go on a big-time roll. Senior twins Isaiah Roberts and Jared Roberts along with senior Brian Purnell are collecting lots of hardware. Burlington City will be in the mix and Paulsboro might be, too.

Non-Public Group A: Camden Catholic. The Irish have a formidable trio of seniors in Gerry Wixted, Anthony D'Orazio, and Tim Crawford. With Nick Moore and Robert Poole, Paul VI will battle Camden Catholic all season, and defending champion Christian Brothers has a top returning player in Roy Mabrey.

Non-Public Group B: Trenton Catholic. The Iron Mikes return veterans Dondre Whitmore, Frantz Massenat and Marquise Tucker from a team that contended well with national power St. Patrick's.

Group 4: Eastern. Senior center Genevieve Okoro is the difference in a loaded group. With Monica Roeder and Tiffany Turner, Cherokee will be right there with Eastern, and might play the Vikings three times. Those other Vikings, Atlantic City, could surprise, thanks to senior Tianna Cannon.

Group 3: Seneca. The Chelsea Grover-led Golden Eagles get the slight edge in this wide-open group. Deptford will be in the mix with senior guard Samantha Morris, and watch out for defending champion Ocean City.

Group 2: Camden. Hofstra-bound guard Annie Payton is the best player in this group. But this tournament should be a wild scramble with defending champion Haddon Township, 2009 finalist Middle Township, Haddonfield and Sterling all capable of emerging with the title.

Group 1: Salem. The Rams feature junior guard Shaqui Coppage and senior center Theresa Krawiec, but defending champion Gloucester could be right there in early March.

Non-Public Group A: St. John Vianney. The defending Tournament of Champions winner returns five veterans, although it lost star sophomore Michaela Mabrey, who transferred to Manasquan. Serifat Junaid will have Camden Catholic in contention, and Bishop Eustace has a dynamic duo in Jackie Schluth and Ashley Margraf.

Non-Public Group B: Trenton Catholic. Briyona Canty, a 5-10 junior from Willingboro, is one of the state's best players.

Pennsauken boys (Group 4), Willingboro boys and girls (Group 2) and Florence girls (Group 1) should be among traditional South Jersey teams in contention for Central Jersey sectional crowns.