Boys basketball: Scouting the MSL West
BarringtonCoach: Bryan Tucker
Last year: 12-15 (3-7, 4th MSL West)
Top returning players: Rapolas Ivanauskas (6-9, jr., C/F), Jake Orr (5-8, sr, G), Chris Lester (6-5, sr., C/F), Scott Bennett (6-1, sr., F), Matt McAndrews (6-1, sr., G)
Key losses: Zach Bart, Austin Madrzyk, Jack McAndrews
Outlook: Barrington looks to move up the conference race behind the 6-foot-9 Ivanauskas, who averaged 8 points and 8 rebound last year as sophomore and has developed into one of the top players in the area with at least two dozen Division I schools interested in him right now. But Tucker, who at one time coached each of Michael Jordan's sons, knows that one player does not make a team. "Everyone has been reading about Rap," Tucker said. "And when he had a really good spring, his stock soared. But you have to have other pieces as well." Tucker brings back Orr, Lester, Bennett and McAndrews to give the Broncos a formable group. But all of them will benefit from more court time. "We return only a couple of kids with experience," Tucker said. "We were tall last year and it did not necessarily translate into wins." Tucker is looking to get some significant help from Tristen Becker, a 6-2 senior wing, Justin Hennenfet , a 6-0 senior wing, Chad Shechtman, a 6-4 senior post player, Will Reinhard, a 6-5 junior forward, and Ben Weber, a 6-0 junior guard. "We do have some decent size and some kids who have worked hard in the off-season," Tucker said. "It is just a matter of, can we come together and get some good guard play." Tucker thinks the MSL West will be battle from the opening day right up until the final regular-season game in February. "When I look at the league it is really talented," Tucker said. "All the teams have lots of experience. I just feel in one regard that everyone will be competitive. And if any of the teams win the conference, no one should be surprised."
ConantCoach: Tom McCormack
Last year: 22-6 (8-2, 2nd MSL East)
Top returning players: Dan Sotos (6-4, sr., F), Chris Dolce (6-1, sr., G), Kyle Bradley (6-2, jr., F).
Key losses: Joe Ranallo, Josh Copher, D'Angelo McBride, Ryan Blaha
Outlook: Conant is a work in progress, but the Cougars' leader likes the direction his group is headed. "We are progressing," McCormack said. "We lost a lot in terms in seniors. We only have one guy back, but we still have what I feel is a very talented group." Dan Sotos, who was an all-conference wing last year and averaged 9 points and 5 rebounds, leads the way for the Cougars. Chris Dolce and Kyle Bradley each saw time last year and should get even more this season. "It may take us a while," McCormack said. "I think this is a team that will significantly improve as the season goes on as we get to know one another." The Cougars should be buoyed by three players from the sophomore team from last year. Junior guard Brandon Vinson and 6-foot-5 forward Chima Oduocha should give McCormack plenty of options while sophomore point guard Jimmy Sotos will start and be a huge addition as well. "We have lots of guys who are anxious to step in and play," McCormack said. "It is just finding the right pieces." That final puzzle piece may come from Jordan Hughes, who was out all season last year with a broken foot. Hughes, who is a 6-9 senior, looked good over the summer and McCormack is eager to get him back in his lineup. Conant, which has just three seniors, will be looking at their big guys to help carry them. "We are big," McCormack said. "And if big is good, we will be. It doesn't always relate that way, but we are very hopeful."
FremdCoach: Bob Widlowski
Last year: 28-1 (10-0, 1st MSL West)
Top returning players: Xavier Williams (6-2, sr., G), Pat Beka (6-7, jr., F), JT Kating (6-3, sr., F), Ryan Kraske (6-3, sr., F), Michael Pautler (6-1, sr., G), Zach Schoffstall (6-1, sr., G)
Key losses: Riley Glassmann, Matt Ochoa, Ben Carlson, Garrett Groot, Tom Cordell, Jalon Roundy, Brian Peters
Outlook: After the best record in school history, the Vikings are not looking to reinvent the wheel this year. But they may need some spare parts after losing four of their five starters in Glassmann, Ochoa, Carlson and Groot, and eight of their top 10 players. But Widlowski has not won over 200 games in his career with not knowing how to fit the pieces together. "It is a whole new group," Widlowski said. "This will be a test for our program. We are excited about the challenge. We will see if they are ready to step up and fill some big shoes." Fremd still has Xavier Williams, who slashed and shot his way to nearly 10 points per game, and Benka, who came off the bench to play significant minutes last year. "Our learning curve is different," Widlowski said. "They are excited to get started." Kating, Kraske, Pautler and Schoffstall should also see significant time, but they will all be pushed by a junior squad that was 25-0 last year as sophomores. Dan Bellino, Deven Chism, Payton Kim, Pat Kurka, Samson Oladimeji, Jeremy Pope, Dylan Simios, Connor Simios and Tommy Vannieuwenhoven could find time in Widlowski's playing rotation. Widlwoski may also look to sophomores Kyle Sliwa, Brian Dompke and Austin Schwantz. "What we are most excited about is that this group is practicing hard and learning their roles," Widlowski said. "These kids don't have the varsity experience yet, so they are going to need to learn how to step into that." Widlowski looks at the MSL West race as a complete toss-up at this point. "It is really wide open," Widlwoski said. "It might enbd up being 7 wins and tiebraker that gets you a title."
Hoffman EstatesCoach: Luke Yanule
Last year: 18-9 (4-6, 3rd MSL West)
Top returning players: Jorden Thorton (5-10, jr, PG), Dante Cleveland (6-3, jr, PF), Brandon Hall (6-6, jr., SF), Robert Jacobs (5-11, jr., SG), Andrew Vesper (6-2, sr., F), CJ Conway (6-0, sr., G), Curtis Palucska (6-2, sr., F), Hardik Patel (5-7, sr., G)
Key losses: Jordan Robinson, Trevor Pye, Sabren Burns
Outlook: Hoffman Estates made huge strides last year, and the Hawks look to keep that momentum going. "Success is a choice," Yanule said. "If we choose to succeed the right way, we will be OK." The Hawks will need to replace the scoring and rebounding of Robinson, who averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds, Pye (10 points and 2 assists) and Burns (4 points, 8 rebounds). But Yanule is confident his Hawks can do just that. "We have a lot of wrinkles to iron out," Yanule said. "But we have eight guys coming back." Thornton, who was all-area last year, leads a talented group of juniors which include Cleveland, Hall and Jacobs, all of whom saw significant time last year as sophomores. Add in seniors Vesper, Conway, Palucska and Patel and the Hawks could be flying high. "The league is strong this year," Yanule said. "Anyone can win it, and it is really up for grabs. We are hoping to get a piece of the pie." The Hawks should be able to get near that slice if Yanule can get the leadership he lost with the graduation of Robinson and Pye. Yanule has been searching his young squad for a player to take over that leadership role. "Someone has to step up," Yanule said. "Right now we don't have that leadership we need. Once we do that, there will be role identification. The quicker we accept that the better we will be."
PalatineCoach: Eric Millstone
Last year: 13-16 (2-8, 5th MSL West)
Top returning players: Chris Macahon ( 6-1, sr. G), RJ Smith (6-2, sr., F), Justin Chaney(6-2, sr., G), Mike Williams (6-4, sr., F), Matt Ulrich (6-0, jr., G), Ryan Frankel (5-5, sr. G), Kevin Burke (5-10, sr., G)
Key losses: Kyle Leber, Nolan Gavin, Dondre Watson, Scott Fife
Outlook: Palatine will go where Chris Macahon takes them. The two-time all-area player runs the floor for the Pirates, scoring 12 points to go with 3 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game last season. He has been the leader for the Pirates on and off the floor and shows tremendous floor instincts. Palatine returns 68 percent of its scoring from a year and has a solid starting lineup that includes Macahon along with Ulrich, who averaged nearly 8 points last year, along with Smith, Chaney, Williams and Burke. "Our first group is very experienced," Millstone said. "They have played together for a long time and we expect great things from them." Palatine is going to need that experience and ball-control offense if they are going to contend, because other than Williams, the Pirates don't have an abundance of size. "We have to guard against turnovers and mistakes on defense," Millstone said. "But that's where I think our experience will take over." The Pirates will also get some strong bench play from juniors Javone Stricker, Chris Refka, Matt Mayer and sophomore Scott Elter. "Our bench and role players will be the key to our success, Millstone said. "They need to grow during the season and find ways to help us." Millstone figures his team will be in the mix for the conference title this season. "The conference is so balanced this year," Millstone said. "I don't think anyone is going to run away with the title. Anyone can't beat anyone on any given day."
SchaumburgCoach: Martin Manning
Last year: 9-18 (2-8, 5th MSL East)
Top returning players: Brendan Parker, (6-2, sr. g/f), Demetrios Roumbos (6-0, sr., G), Charlie Quilico (5-11, sr., g), Marquis Woodard (5-10, sr., G), Connor Geraghty (5-11, sr. F)
Key losses: Josh Rahn, Johnnie Flynn
Outlook: It will be a new beginning for Schaumburg and Martin Manning this year. Manning, who was at Huntley the previous eight seasons, takes over a Saxons team that struggled last year after three consecutive seasons in which the Saxons were on top of the MSL. Manning feels he can get the Saxons back to that position. "There is always a steep learning curve when there is a new head coach," Manning said. "There are new offensive and defensive philosophies to learn. The boys have made great progress since I met them this past summer." Although this is Manning's first year as head coach, he is very familiar with basketball in the MSL. He played at Hoffman in the mid 90's and his Huntley team had played Fremd the past three years. "I know how much defense is emphasized in this conference," Manning said. "And we are going to do that too. We are just going to try to get up and down the court a bit." The Saxons will need to replace the scoring of Rahn, who averaged 13 points and 5 rebounds, along with Flynn, who helped clog the middle and averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds. Manning will look to Parker, who had 8 points and 3 rebounds, and Roumbos, who averaged 5 points last season to carry some of the scoring load. The Saxons will also look for help from Quilico, who averaged 5 points last year, along with Woodard and Geraghty. All three saw significant time last year. Three juniors - guard Jason Schoo and forwards Kenny Travis and Eric Rusing should also see plenty of time along with sophomore guard Kameron Powell. The Saxons will look to run the floor, especially since they are lacking in size this season. "We are definitely going to score some points," Manning said. "That's for sure."