If you were to talk with somebody in the know about boys basketball in the Central Catholic League this winter, they would probably waste little time bringing up DeSales.

And for good reason. The Stallions, Division II semifinalists a year ago, will start a 7-footer and two players with the last name Kellogg. The Stallions lost two starters but are probably bigger and badder than last year's 19-win team.

"Oh DeSales is the team, for sure," said one CCL head coach earlier this fall.

Lost in that shuffle is Bishop Watterson, also, perhaps for good reason.

The Eagles finished fifth in the six-team league (3-7) last winter, with only traditional CCL doormat Rosecrans in their rear window. Despite a late-season tear that got it to a Central District championship game, Watterson still finished the year at 12-12.

One media outlet presented its forecast of the season last week, publishing a front page article on DeSales and mentioning key league players on four of the six CCL teams -- no Watterson player was mentioned.

Such slights, whether real or perceived, are just fine with Watterson.

"I guess people don't think we have any good players," Lombardo said. "That's fine with us."

With its two top scorers and leading rebounder lost to graduation, it is unclear how good the Eagles will be this season. The football team once again made a deep postseason run, taking four varsity basketball players off the hardwood until 10 days ago.

It is pretty certain though that the '06-07 Watterson team will pride itself on the underdog role.

"We do have three starters coming back, but not much scoring," said senior forward Sean Campbell. "We're going to be kind of under the radar screen."

Junior point guard Jordan Faulkner said he likes the idea of surprising teams on the schedule.

"A lot of people are probably not expecting much," Faulkner said. "But I think we have enough talent this year to change people's minds. We're going to give people a challenge when they don't expect it."

With the 27 combined points per game of Jimmy McCurdy and Jacob Mills gone, the name of the game for Watterson this year will be balance.

The 6-foot-4 Campbell will have to lead the way after he averaged eight points and seven rebounds per game last year. Faulkner (5-10) and shooting guard Cole Bradham (6-0) represent the bulk of the returning experience.

Head coach Vince Lombardo said the team will be able to go eight or nine players deep. Tom Gerbek (6-2), Derek Storc (6-4) and Colin Boone (6-3) will provide Campbell help in the post, while Jason McCurdy (5-9) and Joe Neary (6-1) will get significant minutes at guard.

"We have the potential to have better balance," said Lombardo. "I feel like we can get scoring from a number of positions."

With Jimmy McCurdy dominating the box score for much of last season, increased production at the guard position will be at a premium.

A defensive specialist last winter, Faulkner put in a lot of work on his game in the off-season, concentrating specifically on his shooting.

"Jimmy did pretty much everything for us," said Faulkner. "I think our coaches are expecting more of me and some of the other guards."

No one in the program was willing to make any grandiose predictions for the season, but everyone involved seemed to possess an underlying confidence in their ability to surprise opponents.

"DeSales is obviously the most talented team," Campbell said. "But I think we'll be able to compete with everybody on the schedule."

The Eagles open the season Friday night with a non-league visit from Whetstone.