Taran Buie is going to have the basketball in his hands more often this season when Bishop Maginn is digging for points.

Albany Academy basketball coach Brian Fruscio should be ecstatic, considering he returns the nucleus from a powerhouse team that swept through the Colonial Council undefeated and finished 19-4 overall. But Fruscio’s Cadets won’t be playing any league games this year and instead will play an independent schedule.

With powerful Albany Academy becoming an independent, parity returns to the Colonial Council this season.

From the bench to the court, the 2008-09 season will be one of change in the Central Hudson Valley League.

After three straight second-place finishes in the Foothills Council, Scotia-Glenville coach Jim Giammattei figures it’s time for the Tartans to grab the brass ring.

Saratoga Springs coach Mitch Snyder is ready to write off the 2007-08 season as an anomaly.

Bunduka Kargbo. James Torres. Taran Buie. You know their names and what they’ve done for Bishop Maginn basketball over the last few years. Now, name three other players who will suit up a week from tonight when the defending Big 10, Section II and state Class AA champions make their season debut at Catholic Central.

Winter’s arrival didn’t mean an end to the excitment in Lake George last season. The Warriors won the East Div­ision and beat West champ Whitehall for the overall Adirondack League championship in 2007-08.

Tamarac has been pointing to this season for five years. For Hoosick Falls, the wait hasn’t been as long, but the desired result is the same. The Bengals and Panthers are expected to battle for the Wasaren League title this season.

Last season, Northville was the feel-good team in the Western Athletic Conference. The Falcons will take their lumps again in the league — that’s what happens when Class D teams play in a league that includes teams from Class B — so second-year coach Ryan Gander, himself a Northville graduate, always looks ahead to the postseason.

The Amsterdam girls’ basketball team has a new look, but the same goal.

Lake George and Argyle came up with the two big Adirondack League girls’ basketball prizes last winter. Both will be fighting off challengers this season.

With an all-senior starting five, Shenendehowa turned in a banner 2007-08 season, winning Suburban Council division and tournament titles, and the Section II Class AA championship. Along the way, the Lady Plainsmen presented coach Ken Strube with his 500th victory.

Maple Hill coach Mark Bubniak thinks the coaches around the league may be giving his team too much respect.

Hoosic Valley had a perfect Wasaren League girls’ basketball season, and the Indians almost had a perfect overall season, but a loss in the Class B state title game to Briarcliff ruined that.