Coastal 2017-18 Boys Basketball Preview: 5 burning questions to answer in the Mobile area

Alabama High School Athletic Association basketball teams can officially start their seasons Monday.

With that in mind, here is a look back and forward for area schools:

Defending Coastal state champions: None

Last Mobile/Baldwin team to win a state title: McGill-Toolen (2016)

Coastal teams that participated in the 2017 final four: McGill-Toolen (7A), Spanish Fort (6A), Faith Academy (5A), Monroe County (4A), Hillcrest-Evergreen(3A)

Did you know? The Faith Academy boys have reached at least the state semifinals in Birmingham six straight years. The Rams are tied with Madison Academy for the longest active streak.

LeFlore's DeAntoni Gordon was a second-team All-Coastal Alabama selection last year.(Mike Kittrell)

Returning AL.com All-Coastal Alabama Players:Dejonte Thomas, Sr., Faith Academy (first team); Trey Bonham, soph., UMS-Wright (second team); Logan Foutz, Sr., Faith Academy (second team); Mark Wilcox, Sr., St. Luke’s (second team); DeAntoni Gordon, Jr., LeFlore (second team); Vincent Douglas, Jr., Baker (third team), Braxton Barnhizer, soph., Alma Bryant (third team).

New coaches in on the Coast: Mobile – Jairus Jackson (Blount), David Armstrong (Baker), Jose Diaz (Davidson), Douglas July (Murphy), Edwin Burke (B.C. Rain), Adam Thomas (St. Paul’s), Travarris Johnson (Williamson); Baldwin – Demarcus Mosley (Baldwin County), Kerry Edwards (Fairhope), Earnest K. Thomason (Elberta).

Must-see early season games: Baker vs. Blount, 4 p.m., Nov. 8 (McGill Tip Off tournament), McGill vs. Baker, 7 p.m., Nov. 8 (McGill Tip Off Tournament), Blount vs. Faith, 4 p.m., Nov. 9 (McGill Tip Off Tournament), Daphne at Theodore, 7:30 p.m., Nov. 14; Saraland at UMS-Wright, 6 p.m., Nov. 16, Daphne at McGill-Toolen, 7:30 p.m., Nov. 28, Spanish Fort at LeFlore, 7:30 p.m., St. Luke’s at Baker, 7 p.m., Nov. 28, Nov. 30, LeFlore at Faith Academy, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 5, St. Luke’s at St. Paul’s, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 12.

5 burning questions:

Is Baker the favorite to win the Class 7A South Regional championship with all five starters returning?

How will Spanish Fort build on its first final four trip?

Will LeFlore reach its potential in 2017?

Can McGill-Toolen reach Birmingham for the third straight year?

Will former Cottage Hill coach Adam Thomas revitalize the St. Paul’s program?

Can Mark Wilcox carry St. Luke’s to a state title?