• FAVORITE: Kentwood.

• CONTENDERS: Tahoma, Kentlake, M. Rainier.

• SLEEPER: Kentridge.

• LEAGUE OUTLOOK: As is always the case, the South Puget Sound League North Division is loaded on the diamond. Sure, Federal Way, which took third a year ago, bolted to the South, but the addition of Mount Rainier will keep the division as strong as ever. Mount Rainier, which finished 22-5 last year and played in the Seamount League, has won five straight league crowns and has qualified for state in eight of the last nine years. With two returning all-leaguers (outfielder Kevin Smith and pitcher/first baseman Taylor Groucher) back in fold and a strong tradition at the Class 3A level, the Rams will make some noise this spring. However, Mount Rainier will have its hands plenty full. Kentwood, the defending Class 4A state champions, graduated 11 seniors off its roster, including staff ace and league MVP Austin Voth, who is now at the University of Washington. Regardless, this is a program that is as deep as any in the state and had players on the JV last year that likely would have started at many other schools. The Conquerors are the unanimous favorites to repeat as SPSL North champs primarily due to the power arms that will be taking the mound each day, led by Avery Kain, Kyle Doyle and Taylor Jones. All three can dial it up in the high 80s. … Kentlake has a new coach in Quientin Poil, who replaces Jason Evans. Poil may be new to Kentlake, but he’s been around the baseball scene for years, both preps and in college. Poil, who also is the coach of the 18U Puget Sound Roxx select team, inherits a team loaded in talent despite graduating ace pitchers Doug Christie and Zach Wright. Junior outfielder Austin Pernell (.520, 7 steals), Washington State University-bound pitcher Sean Hartnett (3.15 ERA in league last year), catcher Jake Ross (3 home runs in league), second baseman Ryan Archibald (.360) and shortstop/pitcher Ryne Shelton (29 strikeouts in 21 innings pitched) give the Falcons one of the deepest foundations in the league. One that should challenge Kentwood for league supremacy. … The talent does not drop off at Tahoma, which has finished among the SPSL North’s top three teams in each of the last five years. Once again, Russ Hayden and the Bears should contend. Ace Chris Kerwood (5-1, 2.18 ERA last year) is one of the area’s top-returning pitchers and should anchor the staff. Catcher Brian Olson (.380), a second-team All-Leaguer, is as well rounded behind the dish as anybody while senior Tyler Watkins (second team) and Jordan Johansen (second team) give Tahoma reason to believe it can challenge for the top spot. … Kentridge graduated the majority of its roster, but always finds its way into the mix. Shortstop Kyle Leady was one of the North’s top hitters in the second half of the season, blasting four homers in a two-week span (just 21 at-bats), and will provide the Chargers with good pop. Pitcher Ian Buckles, who struck out 23 batters in 32 innings and gives the Chargers a dependable arm to lead the staff. … Things are slowly coming together at Kent-Meridian, where Tim Akins is in his second season. Sophomore IF/P Kyle Engman quietly blossomed into one of the North’s top young players last spring, blasting three homers. Engman along with senior Taylor Whittum, junior outfielder Curtis Hong and sophomore IF/P Sam Woods will be depended on to lead a young bunch.

• NOTABLE: Since 2000, the SPSL North has accounted for 23 state berths. During that span, the North has produced two fourth-place finishes, four third-place finishes, three second-place finishes and two championship (KW, 2000 and 2010).

• LOCALS PLAYING PROFESSIONALLY (high school/year graduated/organization): David Patton (KR/2002/Chicago Cubs); Mason Tobin (KR/2004/ Texas Rangers); Matt Hague (KW/2004/Pittsburgh); Kirk Wetmore (Tahoma/2007/Cleveland).

• ON THE WEB: If you’re looking to track players from around the Northwest, look no further than www.baseballnorthwest.com. The Web site is the most comprehensive prep baseball site around and worth a bookmark.

– Erick Walker/Reporter