Murfreesboro area boys basketball: What you need to know

Coming off a season in which two Murfreesboro boys teams played in the Class AAA state tournament, expectations are high with area teams in 2018-19.

Here is a preview of area boys basketball in 2018-19:

Players to watch

Jordan Burchfield, Blackman, Sr.: The Trevecca commitment is one of the area's top pure shooters from 3-point range.

Will Carver, Central Magnet, Sr.: The third-team all-area performer is one of the top returning shooting guards in the area.

Elijah Cobb, Riverdale, Sr.: Known for his athleticism and monster dunks last year, the 6-foot-7 Cobb averaged 10.6 points, five rebounds and 2.6 assists a game in being named first-team all-area.

Ethan Cobb, Eagleville, Sr.: The athletic forward averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds a game last season and was second-team all-area.

Tyler Erdman, Siegel, Sr.: The third-team all-area performer averaged 10 points and seven rebounds a game.

Donovan Jackson, Stewarts Creek, Sr.: He averaged 10.6 points and 3.3 rebounds last year.

Jaden Jamison, Oakland, Sr.: He averaged 7.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per game last season.

Ethan Jones, Siegel, Sr.: The all-district guard averaged nine points, three assists and two rebounds a game.

Devin Kline, La Vergne, Jr.: The talented guard averaged 10 points and four assistsa game in earning third-team all-area honors.

Tyler Lansden, Smyrna, Jr.: He averaged 8.9 points a game last season and is one of the few veteran players for the Bulldogs.

Maliek McAllister, Riverdale, Sr.: The 6-foot-3 forward averaged 9.2 points and 4.5 rebounds a game last season.

Deron Perry, Riverdale, Sr.: The sharp-shooting guard averaged 12.4 points, three assists and two rebounds a game last season and was second-team all-area.

Brayden Siren, Riverdale, Sr.: His 6-foot-11 frame brings a huge post presence for the Warriors. He averaged 9.6 points and 7.1 rebounds in being named third-team all-area.

Zion Swader, Siegel, So.: He was a big factor on last year's squad as a freshman and will be one of the young guards to watch in the area.

Rashaad Thompson, Riverdale, Sr.: He averaged 8.8 points and three assists per game last season.

Ray Tyler, Oakland, Jr.: He averaged 9.6 points and 2.1 assists per game last season.

Antuan Williams, La Vergne, Jr.: The all-region guard averaged nine points and four rebounds a game last season.

Fast breaks

Welcome back: Riverdale reached the Class AAA state tournament for the first time in more than 30 years last season. That's the good news. The better news? The Warriors return all five starters from that team. Expectations are obviously high for coach Michael Voss' squad, which fell to Clarksville Northeast in the first round of last year's state tournament.

Big shoes to fill, part 1: Blackman went unbeaten into last year's Class AAA state tournament before falling to eventual champion Memphis East. The Blaze, however, had four starters graduate  from that squad, including area Player of the Year Trent Gibson. The lone returnee is senior sharpshooter Jordan Burchfield.

Big shoes to fill, part II: Oakland has a solid group of returning veterans this season, but the biggest loss the area saw wasn't because of graduation. Former all-area Player of the Year Keishawn Davidson, an all-state and first-team all-area performer last season, is now playing at Athens Prep Academy.

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

Vote:Who was the Murfreesboro area boys athlete of the week for Nov. 5-10?

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