Elgin CC has a different look

The Elgin Community College men's basketball team is proving to be a quick study.

Despite a lack of college playing experience, the Spartans were off to a 3-1 start through their first four games.

"We don't have a lot of returning experience," said eighth-year ECC coach Reed Nosbisch. "We're off to a good start. We beat Lincoln Land and they always are tough. Our turnovers are still a little high right now, but those will come down."

ECC, which went 13-15 last year and placed fifth in conference play, does return all-conference second-team guard Matt Chaltin (6-4, Bartlett), along with guard John Moss (5-9, Bartlett) and forwards Zack Harris (6-10, Streamwood) and Nick Nekola (6-3, Bartlett).

Sophomore forward Justin Bieber (6-4, Hampshire) also counts as a returning player, although he last played in the program four years ago.

"John and Zack were part-time starters for us last year," said Nosbisch.

ECC has benefitted from a strong local recruiting class. Newcomers to the team include Ryan Cork (6-3, guard, Hampshire), Jacob Siewert (6-1, guard, Streamwood), Tre' Kinlow (6-2, guard, Nicolet, Wis.), Chris Mahoney (6-5, forward, Crystal Lake South), Desmond Sanders (6-3, forward, Elgin), Max Escamilla (6-5, post, Morrison, Ind.), Elliott Fizer Jr. (6-3, forward, Joliet West), Brett Rau (6-2, guard, Burlington Central) and Dustin Kram (6-9, post, Bartlett).

"With this recruiting class we were able to pull in some of the better players in the area," said Nosbisch.

The coach has been impressed with the cohesiveness of a roster mixed with sophomores and newcomers.

"One of the better things is they get along very well," he said. "The chemistry has been very good form the start. We'll take guys that are working hard, sharing the ball and playing together an day."

In addition to cutting down turnovers, Nosbisch said the team is hard at work on its shooting. "We're struggling a little bit right now with that," he said. "I know that will get stronger as the season goes on."

ECC limited its first four opponents to a 55-point-per-game average. "The defense is doing well," said Nosbisch. "We're playing hard on defense and working toward clicking on all cylinders."

ECC plans to take advantage of a greater post presence, which is headlined by the 6-10 Harris.

"We'll be a little of both (outside and inside)," said Nosbisch. "Zack is 6-10 and is our second-leading scorer. We're going to get the ball in the paint first and then kick it out. We'll be more inside-based than we have been in years past here. Our opponents already have taken 24 more 3s than we have and most people won't believe that based on what we've done here in the past. We have a 6-10 kid and we plan to utilize him."

Nosbisch is optimistic about what the 2014-2015 season holds.

"In my eight years here, from top to bottom, this is one of the better groups we've had," he said. "Expectations from my end are pretty high for them."

Nosbisch expects another Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference slate filled with talented teams.

"Morton is probably one of the better ones," he said. "They just came out with a poll from the coaches that ranks the league and we were one of the three teams tied for second. I think we can make a run at it if we stay healthy and take care of the basketball, as cliché as that sounds."