Scouting South Elgin boys basketball

South Elgin Storm

Coach: Chaz Taft (fifth year, 58-55)

Conference: Upstate Eight (Valley)

2009-10 record: 18-10, (6-4 UEC), lost to Bartlett in a Class 4A regional final

Top returning players: Brandon Carson (Jr., 6-4 C), Matt Downing (Jr., 6-6 C), Dillon Gardner (Sr., 6-0 G/F), Matt Hattendorf (Sr., 6-4 C), Jacob Maestranzi (So., 5-7 PG), Eric Stazy (Jr. 6-10 G), Sam Sutter (Sr., 6-1 PG)

Top newcomers: Martin Duarte (Sr., 6-0 G), Brandon McClendon (Jr., 6-1 G), Rodney Rickett (Jr., 5-10 G), Darius Wells (Fr. 5-8 G)

Season outlook: The Storm graduated All-Area honorary co-captain Tommy Childs, but three starters return to the lineup, led by sharpshooter Sam Sutter. The senior drained 79 3-pointers last season at a 41-percent clip. However, many of Sutter’s open looks were the result of penetration by Childs. This year, Sutter becomes the primary scoring option, one likely to draw double teams. “Teams will play box-and-one or a physical man to man against him to get him out of his game,” said South Elgin coach Chaz Taft, who owns a winning career record after four seasons. “Someone else needs to step into that role as the second scorer,” Sophomore point guard Jake Maestranzi, a team co-captain, returns to run the offense. Taft expects him to look for his shot more often. This team is heavy on guards and speed. “We’re fast,” Taft said. “We have guys who can play multiple positions on the perimeter. We have overall quickness from top to bottom. Even our bigs can up and down and cover rotations on traps. I’m happy because we haven’t had that in a while.” Taft said Matt Downing and Brandon Carson have gotten stronger and quicker, and Dillon Gardner and Martin Duarte have both improved. Junior Eric Stazy, an excellent ballhandler, returns from an injury suffered early last season. Freshman Darius Wells is versatile and could play shooting guard or small forward. The Storm will compete in the new Valley Division of the Upstate Eight Conference along with Neuqua Valley, Waubonsie Valley, East Aurora, Lake Park, Metea Valley and Bartlett. “It’s probably one of the best in the western suburbs,” Taft said of the UEC Valley. “We have to play great to win every game because the division is just loaded.”