If you need proof EJ Perry isn’t satisfied with two straight Class L basketball titles, just ask the athletes on his five-time defending state champion volleyball team.

Entering the 2009 high school hoops season, it should come as no surprise that Perry is licking his chops at the prospects of an eighth crown in five years. Who could blame him?

Yes, the Blue Devils graduated a handful of standouts from a unit that completed a 22-0 campaign last year – 32 straight overall. But fourth-year starter and first-team all-stater Josh Jones is back and arguably the leading candidate for Class L Player of the Year. Jones has already garnered more than 900 points and is a virtual lock to eclipse 1,000 sometime in January.

Co-captaining the team with Jones is junior Alex LaRosa, who takes over at point guard after backing up standout floor general Josh Frederico last season. A quartet of 6-foot-4 forwards vie to start under the basket. Senior Mark Adamson has the experience, but he and Sean Bergeron must hold off varsity newcomers Joe Gallant and Jason Kinney.

Others returning for another sweet taste of the Class L trophy include Mark Frounjian, Mike Kimball and Sam Shields, while Marcus Baldwin, Meme Okeke, Tyler Hutchinson, Kyle Henrick, Dan Tiner, Analdo Vasquez and Matt Cannone are determined to quench their collective palate as well.

Baldwin has the inside edge to start at shooting guard.

“We are definitely one of the favorites,” said Perry, who added Trinity, which the Blue Devils defeated the last two seasons in title tilts, stands in their way, along with Manchester Central, Nashua South and Winnacunnet, among others.

“The biggest obstacle we face is having only seven home games and 11 league road games, plus three more (out of class) road games.”