PITTSBURG -- In a split vote, Coffeyville's boys were picked to repeat as Southeast Kansas League champions by league coaches in a pre-season poll released here Monday afternoon at the KSEK/KLKC Southeast Kansas Hoop Coaches Luncheon.

Fort Scott, with just one returning starter, was picked to finish second. Coffeyville received five of the first-place votes and 61 total points while Fort Scott got three votes for the top spot and 55 points. Labette County got the other first-place vote and 48 points as it was picked to finish third.

Coffeyville head coach Dan Wall told the media that although his team lost its leading scorer from last season that "This is going to be an exciting year." The Golden Tornado finished with a 16-6 overall record last season. The won the league title by a half-game over Pittsburg as a snowed-out game with Fort Scott at the end of the season couldn't be rescheduled.

The Tigers (14-7), who finished tied for third with Chanute last season, have senior Alex Barner as their only returning starter although junior Gary Floyd did get some starts when other players were injured.

Six seniors reported to the first day of practice for head coach Jeff DeLaTorre, who has 20 players from sophomores up to seniors.

The Tigers start out with the always-tough Willard (Mo.) Classic. Their first opponent this season -- on Thursday, Dec. 4 -- is Broken Arrow (Okla.), a newcomer to the field which is the largest school in its state.

And then comes league play.

"The league is always very competitive," DeLaTorre told the assembled media. "This is going to be another year when you have to be ready to play every night."

LCHS (12-10), which finished fifth last season, bring back five seniors and two starters. Head coach Brad Smith said his Grizzlies had good workouts in the summer.

"This was probably the best summer we've had in six or seven years," Smith said. "There's not going to be a great star for us. But we'll have several guys who can lead us every night."

Chanute was chosen for fourth place followed by Independence, Pittsburg -- predicted to drop four spots -- Iola, Parsons and Columbus.

Iola and Columbus both have new coaches this season. Columbus' new girls' coach, Kenny Beckman, once played for Pittsburg head coach Kiley Roelfs.

Iola's new head coach, Steve Taylor, said that John Shapel, who was expected to be on of the Mustangs' top players will miss the entire season with a torn ACL.

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Predictions and the Past

2008-09 SEK COACHES POLL

2007-08 SEK STANDINGS

Fort Scott-Coffeyville and Independence-Chanute games were not played at the end of the season due to weather.

Coaches could not vote for their own teams in the pre-season poll.