This is the last in a series of previews of area high school basketball programs starting play this monthFOXBURG — It's not that A-C Valley's boys basketball team will struggle to score.Led by senior swingman Levi Orton, who averaged over 22 points per game last year, the Falcons should be able to put consistent pressure on opposing defenses.But it's his own defense that coach Tony McGarvey will be relying on to set the tone in games this season.“We'll be defense first,” he said. “I'd rather try and win a game 32-30 than try to win a shootout.”The Falcons open the season Tuesday at Clarion.“Normally, kids have 15 to 20 practices under their belt before the first game,” he added. “We'll have 10 and are still working on fundamentals, still figuring out who will dress varsity and who will not.”A-C Valley went 16-10 last year and reached the Class A state playoffs.Orton, who added 10.1 rebounds and 3.3 steals per game, was a huge factor and will be again toward any success the team meets with this winter.“He's a different breed,” said McGarvey. “He leads with his play and makes sure his teammates follow suit. He does pretty much everything for us.”Senior Eli Penny returns as the starting point guard and injects confidence on both ends of the floor.“We went with him last year because he stepped up with his leadership,” McGarvey said. “He can handle the ball and the pressure.”Two other starters — shooting guard Tanner Merwin and forward Broc Weigle — are also back. The fifth starting spot is still up in the air, but could be filled by one of three sophomores in guard Ryan Cooper and power forwards Landon Chalmers and Alex Preston.“I can easily go 12 deep with our bench,” said McGarvey.“Every year, we tell the guys to take things one week at a time. Try to win every week. If we play two games, try to go 2-0. If we play three, let's at least go 2-1.“More than ever, we have to approach it that way this season.”

Whether or not the Falcons can get off to a good start this season will depend largely on their level of conditioning.Practices were halted in mid-December and resumed last week.“We're not back to square one, but we're definitely out of shape,” said coach Dave Sherman. “A lot of our kids play volleyball and they haven't done much since then.“We'll have to play ourselves into shape.”Sherman will see exactly where his team is Wednesday when it opens the season at home against Clarion.A-C Valley barely missed the district playoffs last year with a 9-12 record. Sherman believes a trio of seniors must lead the way back to the postseason. That group includes guards Rachel Cullen (point) and Mia Sherman and forward Andrea Meals. They combined to average 22 points per game last season, with Meals leading the way at 8.2.“It has to start with them,” said Sherman. “They have to step up their production on offense. Our defense has been pretty good. We'll play a lot of man-to-man and mix in some zone.”Other players who should make an impact include three juniors — guard Paige Klingler, forward Meah Ielase and wing Baylee Blauser. Sophomore Avah Burke could spell Cullen at point guard.Ielase averaged 4.2 points last year, though Dave Sherman said she is his team's most consistent shooter.“She just needs to work to get more shots, more good looks,” he said.Meals paced the Falcons last year in rebounds at nearly 10 per game. Sherman said other players must step up on the glass.“We have some height, but need to be more physical to match up with some of the players in our league.”

<b>Girls</b><i>Seniors:</i> Rachel Cullen 5-2 G, Andrea Meals 5-8 F, Mia Sherman 5-8 G<i>Juniors:</i> Baylee Blauser 5-7 G-F, Meah Ielase 5-8 F, Paige Klingler 5-5 G<i>Sophomores:</i> Avah Burke 5-3 G, Keira McVay 5-1 G, Mackenzie Parks 5-8 F<i>Freshmen:</i> Grace Barlett 5-6 G-F, Sophia McGarvey 5-6 G-F, Kyleigh Morrison 5-2 G<b>Boys</b><i>Seniors:</i> Riley Bauer 6-0 F, Olin Gothe 6-5 F-C, Tanner Merwin 5-9 G, Levi Orton 5-10 G-F, Eli Penny 5-8 G, Broc Weigle 6-3 F<i>Juniors:</i> Trace Forsythe 5-10 F<i>Sophomores:</i> Lane Bauer 5-11 F, Seth Best G-F, Landon Chalmers F, Ryan Cooper 5-9 G, Landon Henery 6-2 C, Max Southworth G, Alex Preston 6-3 F, Ian Runyan 5-11 F<i>Freshmen:</i> Jay Clover F-C, Brody Dittman