Joyce: And you thought last basketball season was a dandy

The early returns are in.

No, this isn't an election column on the Alabama Senate race.

The early returns to which I speak are the early-season results District 7-AAA basketball teams have enjoyed thus far.

It's not even Christmas yet, but if this is any indication, the 2017-18 season is going to be even better than last year, which was a pretty tough one to top.

Let's begin with a showdown that will occur at Stewarts Creek on Friday night.

The nation's No. 1 team and two-time defending state champ Riverdale brings its 8-0 mark and 49-game winning streak into the Creek to face an unbeaten (10-0) Lady Red Hawks squad.

Nobody is surprised by Riverdale's fast start, hence the national ranking.

After losing three vital cogs from last year's first state tournament appearance, however, the Stewarts Creek squad has opened a few eyes with the unbeaten start.

The Lady Warriors and Lady Red Hawks had some good matchups last year. It will be interesting to see how Friday's battle plays out.

Either way, both teams look very strong already. It would not be a shock to see both repeat their magic from a season ago.

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District 7-AAA may actually be tougher this year than it was last year. Riverdale looks to be as strong, Stewarts Creek has seemingly not missed a beat, Oakland looks like a 20-win team again, and Blackman is considerably improved from a year ago.

Flipping over to the boys' side, and it's easy to see Blackman is motivated. Very motivated.

Arguably the top team in the area most of last season, the Blaze slipped late, losing in both the region finals and sectional.

Coach Barry Wortman's squad is off to a 9-0 start heading into Friday's game at Smyrna. The Blaze were impressive in an N2Hoops Invitational championship and also in a 56-43 win over a talented Graves County (Ky.) team earlier this month.

The three-headed monster of Brandon Thomas, Trent Gibson and Jordan Burchfield consistently led the squad all season and the Blaze also have a strong supporting cast.

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Don't think defending AAA state tourney quarterfinalist Oakland is ready to concede the 7-AAA race, however.

Coach Troy Bond's squad, led by defending DNJ All-Area Player of the Year and MTSU commitment Keishawn Davidson, is off to a 7-2 start, including 2-0 in league play.

Hoops fans will have to wait until Jan. 16 to see Oakland match up against Blackman.

District 7-AAA was honestly a two-team race last year. That likely won't be the case this year. Riverdale is off to a strong start (6-1), and La Vergne and Siegel are both teams that can make noise before the season is done.

The polls are far from closed, but the 7-AAA races in January and February should be one for the books.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.