Did the Leland program peak with its quarterfinal appearance last week in the state Class D tournament, or climb a notch toward Michigan prep basketball's upper echelon?

That’s the question before Comet coach Jason Stowe, and he’s looking forward to hearing the answer from Eric Larsen, Galen Whittaker, Nate Sneed, Sam Scott, Ben Fellows and Drew Gauthier.

Those six players are expected to see plenty of playing time next year, when Leland will have the tough chore of bettering a 9-5 record in the Northwest Conference, and capturing District and Regional tournament titles to improve.

“I think we have a good, strong core coming back,” said Stowe. “For our juniors and sophomores to have that opportunity to play against West Michigan Christian, that’s huge. They’ve (the Warriors) been there a few times,” said Stowe.

West Michigan Christian went on to win the state title after losing in the finals a season ago. The Warriors also captured a state championship in 1999.

Larsen, a junior point guard, took the winning shot against Bellaire to earn Leland its first Regional title since 2003. Whittaker, Sneed and Scott are sophomores who played starting roles at differing times during the season. The 6-foot-4 Whittaker arguably has as much natural talent as any player on the team — even as much as his older brother, Marcus, who was Leland’s leading scorer and rebounder this season.

The development of 6-foot-3 Fellows and 6-foot-6 Gauthier might hold the key to how far the Comets advance, Stowe said.

Stowe expects the team to be hungry.

“Sometimes taking a loss like (West Michigan Christian) makes you more determined. We want to go back. We want another shot at the quarterfinals. I would say by tournament time, we’ll be a team very similar to this year,” said Stowe.

Missing will be seniors Marcus Whittaker, Jordan Gibson, Adam Nedow, Matt Rinehart and Danny Nedow.

“Marcus and Jordan and Adam have started off and on since they were sophomores. They have all been very important to the Leland basketball program,” said Stowe.