AUBURN MOUNTAINVIEW BOYS BASKETBALL AT A GLANCE

COACH: Jon Price, sixth year

LAST SEASON: 9-13 overall, seventh place in SPSL 3A with a 5-5 record. Eliminated in sub-district play.

TOP RETURNERS: Marion Beauchamp, senior, 6-foot-3 wing/post; JJ Lacey, junior, 6-3 wing; Josh Upchurch, senior, 5-7 guard; Keith Green, Jr., junior, 5-10 guard; Shaddye Melu, senior, 6-1 wing; and Drew Sleezer, senior, 6-7 post.

STRENGTH: Depth and experience with 10 returning lettermen, including SPSL 3A all-league first-teamer Beauchamp and three-year staring point guard Upchurch.

WEAKNESS: Closing out tight games. The Lions lost three of their last four games last season by three points or less.

LAST STATE APPEARANCE: None.

OUTLOOK: Last year the Lions showed a spark of talent. This year the team looks to fan that spark, according to Price. “This team is as athletic and talented as Auburn Mountainview has ever had. Our youth and inexperience the last two years is replaced by veterans who have played a ton of varsity basketball. We are older and more mature, which means stronger both physically and mentally. I look for us to surprise some people outside Auburn this season.”

KEY GAMES: The Lions test their mettle over Christmas break at the 2011 Surf ’N Slam San Diego Hoop Classic. On Jan. 6, they travel to Lakes to take on the defending 3A state champion in league action.