Don't believe it when you hear the York Suburban boys' basketball team returned five of its top six players from last season. It's not true.

The names of the players haven't changed, and they sure bear a strong resemblance to those who helped the Trojans finish second in the YAIAA tournament and come within one victory of qualifying for the PIAA Class AAA tournament. Nonetheless, these aren't the same players.

They are stronger. Tougher. More versatile. More mature. They also are undefeated going into tonight's home showdown against Delone Catholic (8-2, 7-1 Division III), taking down Eastern York in double overtime Monday to establish themselves as the frontrunner in their division -- and possibly District 3 Class AAA.

"We're more comfortable with each other on the offensive end," York Suburban senior and leading scorer Mitch Kemp said. "We can take our time. We can pass the ball 20 times instead of rushing it and shooting the ball. We trust each other as a team more. We're getting good team wins."

Kemp reached 1,000 points for his career Monday night, scoring 28 points in the double-digit victory, and has been known primarily as a deadly 3-point shooter. His off-kilter shooting form, which he calls "awful," remains his signature -- even with his feet pointed sideways and his high shooting arc, the ball usually goes in when he has an open look.

But recently, Kemp has worked to become a more multi-dimensional offensive player. He rarely hesitates

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to put the ball on the floor anymore and drive to the basket. He's not the only one adding to his game and he knows it.

"Our big men grew more mature," Kemp said. "Tom (McInerney) matured a lot -- he got bigger. That takes a little bit off of me. Him and Cole (Wagner) do a great job in the post, and Ryan (Kinard) runs the offense, and Byron (Thompson) does everything -- he's a defensive guy. This team has everything this team needs to be a great team."

Much more so than last year. A young and inexperienced Suburban team recovered from an unimpressive start to squeak into the YAIAA tournament as a No. 4 seed from the league's lower tier and scored a pair of upsets to reach the final. The Trojans lost a consolation game to Eastern York in the District 3 tournament and then fell to Hershey in the seventh-place game to just miss out of state action.

The Trojans have been nothing less than perfect this season, winning all 12 games so far. McInerney has gained more muscle and can throw his weight around in the post, averaging 12.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game this season to complement Kemp's 16.3 points per game.

At point guard, Kinard has become more savvy and found more ways to contribute offensively, averaging 9.1 points per game. Wagner is the fourth Trojan averaging more than nine per game, with 9.4 each game. It's no longer just about Kemp's deadly accuracy from beyond the arc.

"This is just a team that is out to prove itself," Suburban coach Tom Triggs said. "We want to show the county and the district that we have a very good program, and we're going to be heard from when it's all said and done."

If the county and the district had not noticed before Monday, outlasting previously-undefeated Eastern should be enough to turn those heads. Beat the Squires tonight and the point is driven home. Take down Red Lion on the road Friday night and Suburban suddenly is more likely than not to finish the regular season undefeated.

Call it a remarkable feat for a team that only looks like last year's squad.

Sean McLernon covers prep sports for the Daily Record/Sunday News. Reach him at smclernon@ydr.com or 771-2045.