- As high school basketball division play gets into full swing, the Daily Journal took time to preview six intriguing teams to watch as the season winds down.

Starkville and Calhoun City are obviously off to impressive starts, but these six other teams could sneak into the state tournament picture come February. With information provided by these six head basketball coaches, the following are capsules for the six teams certainly worthy of watching during the final stretch of the season:

(Note: PPG stands for points per game; RPG rebounds per game; APG assists per game; and SPG steals per game.)

Aberdeen Bulldogs

- Division: 2-3A

- Coach: Roy Hazzle

- 2009 Record/Playoffs: 19-10, lost second round of North Tournament

- 2010 Record: 6-9 (0-0 Division)

- Starting Five:

G Josh Holliday, 5-10, Sr. (6 ppg, 3 rpg, 4 apg, 1 spg)

G Anthony McDonald, 5-10, Sr. (21 ppg, 2 rpg, 5 apg, 1 spg)

G/F Mario Lucas, 6-0, Sr. (7 ppg, 8 rpg, 3 apg, 4 spg)

F Channing Ward, 6-3, So. (7 ppg, 8 rpg, 2 apg, 1 spg)

C Fred Ward , 6-4, Jr. (10 ppg, 9 rpg, 2 apg, 3 spg)

- Outlook: The Bulldogs’ below .500 record probably won’t last long. The reason for the slow start is the team was without a couple of key players for the first month of the season. Those players were members of the Aberdeen football team that played in last month’s state championship game. ... A major key for the Bulldogs’ success, says coach Roy Hazzle, is for the five to seven players coming off the bench to contribute solid minutes. Look for senior Rashad Pargo (12 ppg, 8 RPG) to provide a lift for the Bulldogs when he enters the floor. ... “We’re going to stress team play and defense to get us through the tough times,” Hazzle said.

Baldwyn Bearcats

- Division: 1-2A

- Coach: Jason McKay

- 2009 Record/Playoffs: 25-4, lost first round of North Tournament

- 2010 Record: 15-2 (2-0 Division)

- Starting Five: PG Dee Gates, 5-8, Fr. (7 ppg, 3 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.5 spg); PG Ian Burress, 5-10, So. (9 ppg, 2 rpg, 5 apg, 1.5 spg); G Reggie Patterson, 6-2, So. (10 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 apg, 1 spg); F Devin Lindsey, 6-1, Sr. (10 ppg, 8 rpg, 2 apg, 3 spg); F Marcell Lucas, 6-4, Sr. (21 ppg, 11 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg)

n Outlook: The Bearcats are anchored inside by two experienced post players, with young but very talented guards on the perimeter. ... The Bearcats are hoping to peak at the right time this year. With a new division which adds Ashland and Hickory Flat, it will be a difficult task. ... Baldwyn lost four major contributors from last year’s team, including three starters. However, the Baldwyn players have stepped up and rose to the challenge so far.

Myrtle Hawks

- Division: 2-1A

- Coach: Jonathan Ashley

- 2009 Record/Playoffs: 26-13, lost state finals

- 2010 Record: 15-3 (3-1 Division)

- Starting Rotation (Varies Game to Game): G Will Gregory, 5-11, Sr. (9.0 ppg, 2.5 rbg, 2.0 apg, 2 spg); G Robert Montgomery, 5-7, Fr. (10.4 ppg, 4.5 rbg, 6.0 apg, 3.0 spg); G Chad Isom, 5-8, Sr. (2 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg); G Russ Yates, 6-0, Jr. (8.5 ppg, 3 rpg, 4 apg, 1.6 spg); G Heriah Dodson, 5-10, Jr. (5 ppg, 5 rbg, 3 apg 2 spg); G Darius Shorter, 5-6, Fr. (2 ppg, 2 rpg, 1 apg, 2 spg); F Jimel Judon, 6-4, Sr. (15 ppg, 8 rbg, 4 apg, 2 spg); F David Wilson, 6-2, Sr. (14 ppg, 5 rbg, 2.5 apg, 1.7 spg); F Beau Cummings , 6-4, Sr. (9.6 ppg, 6.7 rbg, 1.6 apg, 1 spg); F Steven Taylor, 6-2, So. (3 ppg, 3 rbg, 1 apg, 1 spg)

- Outlook: The Hawks have a tough road with division rivals Ingomar, H.W. Byers and Potts Camp looming. North 1A is strong again with the likes of Okolona, Coldwater, Shaw, Thrasher, Wheeler, Biggersville and Pine Grove. ... Areas to improve on are ball handling (less turnovers), shot selection, half court defense, rebounding, and making maximum effort. In order to return to the State Tournament in Jackson, the Hawks need to sell out on defense and win rebounding battles nightly. ... Strengths are: a great bunch of senior leaders and hungry underclassmen.

Okolona Chieftains

- Division: 4-1A

- Coach: Bobby V. Ford

- 2009 Record/Playoffs: 22-11, lost consolation game of North Tournament.

- 2010 Record: 14-3 (2-0 Division)

- Starting Five: G Martavis Hill, 6-3, Sr. (3.1 ppg, 1.5 apg, 3.5 rpg, 1.5 spg); G Ordarrion McCoy, 5-11, Sr. (5.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 0.8 apg, 1.0 spg); F Ryan Isbell, 6-0, Sr. (7.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 0.6 apg, 1.2 spg); F David Gardner, 6-6, Jr. (19.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.8 apg, 2.2 spg); C Marques Conway, 6-6, Jr. (16.9 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.4 spg)

- Outlook: The Chieftains return nine players from last season’s team that came within a play or two of making the State Tournament. ... “We are hoping to build our team on tough defense,” said coach Bobby Ford. “With our leading scorers returning, if we can be mentally and physically tough on defense, it may get us that hard-earned trip to the state tournament.”

Pontotoc Warriors

- Division: 1-4A

- Coach: Jon Ginn

- 2009 Record/Playoffs: 20-11, lost first round of North Mississippi tournament

- 2010 Record: 9-9 (1-1 Division)

- Starting Rotation (Varies Game to Game): PG Rashad Chewe, 5-9, Sr. (3 ppg, 3 rpg, 3 apg); PG Rashad Dixon, 5-9, Fr. (3 ppg, 2 apg, 1 spg); G Andrew Bell, 6-1, Sr. (15 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 apg, 2 spg); G Griffin McCormick, 6-3, Sr. (10 ppg, 3 rpg, 3 apg, 1.5 spg); G Darius Martin, 5-11, Sr. (2 ppg, 1 rpg, 1 apg, 1 spg); F Josh Green, 6-2, Sr. (17 ppg, 8 rpg, 3 apg, 3 spg); F Adrian Potter, 6-3, Jr. (8 ppg, 5 rpg); F Shaq Crayton, 6-2, So. (5 ppg, 6 rpg, 1 spg)

n Outlook: The Warriors return three of their top four scorers from last year’s team. ... Recently, the Warriors have benefited from increased post production from newcomers Adrian Potter and Shaq Crayton. The trio of Green (Henderson State signee), Bell, and McCormick give the Warriors multiple weapons from beyond the arc. ... The Warriors are hoping that a tough non-division slate – including heavyweights Jackson Murrah, Ridgeland, Tupelo, and a Christmas tournament in Kentucky – has prepared them for the balanced Division 1-4A.

Tupelo Golden Wave

- Division: 2-6A

- Coach: Grant Pate

- 2009 Record/Playoffs: 21-7, no playoffs

- 2010 Record: 14-6 Overall (2-0 Division)

- Starting Five:

G Reed Clayton, 5-10, Sr. (5 ppg, 4 rpg, 5 apg, 2.3 spg); G Deontaye Ewing, 6-0, Jr. (15 ppg, 4 rpg); F Jeremy Foster, 6-3, Sr. (11 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.4 spg); F Chris Brooks, 6-4, Jr. (7 ppg, 6.2 rpg); C Telvin Hadley, 6-4, Sr. (10.1 ppg, 8 rpg)

- Outlook: Moving to Class 6A, the Golden Wave has played a very tough non-conference schedule, including three of The Clarion Ledger’s preseason top 6A teams in the state: Wingfield, Brandon and Meridian. ... The division is as strong as ever across the board, with Starkville undefeated and ranked as the No. 1 6A team, along with Columbus and South Panola battling with the top programs in the state. The Wave has beaten Columbus and South Panola so far.

- Four other teams to keep an eye on: Holly Springs, Ingomar, Nettleton and Smithville.

Capsules compiled by John Wilbert