This year should be much the same, as several big-time players return for another year of breakout performances.

As for the conference races, private schools Cary Christian, Cary Academy and Grace Christian of Raleigh are poised near the top of their respective leagues. The Tri-Nine Conference should be as competitive as it's been since 2005, the last time its conference champ suffered a loss in league play.

Team-by-team previews follow, with records indicating last year's win-loss record.

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Area girls basketball preview