Benet, St. Viator looking good

Benet

Coach: Gene Heidkamp.

Last year: 22-8, 7-2, second in East Suburban Catholic Conference; lost to York in Class 4A Glenbard West regional final.

Top players: Dan Sobolewski, sr., F-G; James Dockery, sr., F; Jason Malonga, sr., F; Jack Nolan, jr., G; Liam Lyman, jr., G; Justin Enochs, jr., G-F; Mitch McKay, jr., C; Edward Fulton, sr., F; Matt DeBroeck, sr., F.

Scouting report: If the Redwings successfully navigate a brutal stretch of games to start the season, they'll be in position for a seventh straight 20-win season. Three starters return headed by 6-foot-4 Sobolewski, an All-Area talent capable of playing all five positions. He averaged 12.5 points, 2.7 assists and 4.5 rebounds. Dockery, who averaged 8.5 points, and Malonga also give Benet experience and size. “We've got some talent, but those three are going to be our most experienced guys and our core defensively and on the glass,” Heidkamp said. Nolan will step in at point guard. He, Lyman and Enochs add strong perimeter shooting to a potent offense. At 6-8 McKay is a post presence the Redwings sorely need. Rebounding and defense are cornerstones of Benet's system. They'll develop both while competing in the brutal ESCC.

CarmelCoach: Zack Ryan, 2nd season

Last year: 12-19 (1-8 East Suburban Catholic)

Last year's tournament: Lost in the regional quarterfinal to Glenbrook South, 70-60.

Key players lost: Nate Reid, Michael Pabst

Key players returning: G CJ Duff, sr., G Shareif Bailey, sr., G Brian Julien, jr., F Matt Stephens, sr., F Lesebron Duff, jr.

Newcomers: F Johnny Roeser, fr., F John Barr, jr., C Sean Foster, sr., G Rondel Jamison, jr., G Dominic Speights, jr.

Outlook: Now head coach Zack Ryan believes he'll be able to get a better read on his team. Last year, in his first year at the helm, so much time was spent on learning and adjusting. “After having a year under their belt in a new system last season, our guys really started playing well together in the summer,” Ryan said. “Experience should be a factor. We lost a lot of close games and hopefully the experience will help those become wins. In one of the toughest conferences in the state (East Suburban Catholic), that should make a big difference.” Veteran guard CJ Duff should also make a big difference. Duff recently signed with Western Illinois University and is ready to put together another big season. Last year, he averaged 21 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists per game. Fellow guards Shareif Bailey and Brian Julien also return after serving as starters last season. Bailey averaged 13 points, 4 assists and 4 steals per game. Julien was at 8 points per game. “They will be the strength of the team,” Ryan said of Duff, Bailey and Julien. “Duff will be one of the best players in the area.” Freshman forward Johnny Roeser will also play a key role. “At 6-foot-4, he provides length and the ability to score, pass and rebound,” Ryan said of Roeser. Two other important newcomers are Sean Foster and Rondel Jamison, a couple of football players who did not play basketball last season.

Opener: Monday at 6:30 p.m. vs. North Lawndale at the Grant Thanksgiving Tournament.

St. ViatorCoach: Quin Hayes (2nd year)

Last year: 19-11 (7-2 ESCC)

Top returners: G Danny Walsh (6-3, Sr.), G Jake Stepuszek (6-1, Sr.), F Kyle Hammarlund (6-3, Sr.), F Matt Trimberger (6-5, Sr.), G Miles McDonnell (6-1, Sr.), F Kevin Murphy (6-1, Sr.)

Key additions: G Mark Clark (Jr.), G Drew Soukup (Jr.), C Addison Lubert (Jr.)

Key losses: F Sal Cannella, G Patrick McNamara

Outlook: When you've been as successful as St. Viator has been in the recent past, the program's goal tend to set themselves. In coach Quin Hayes' second full season in charge, the Lions aim to win another regional championship, which would be a fifth straight. And then there's question of the sectional. “We always have the same goals, so winning a regional is one of them,” said Hayes. “What we're really excited about is seeing if we can also get over the sectional final hump.” That's been the stopping point after each of those recent regional triumphs, but Hayes and Co. are eager to see if they can author a new chapter in St. Viator's basketball history. Gone are four of last year's five starters, including top scorers Patrick McNamara and Sal Canella. But a solid nucleus of players who got meaningful play is back in the fold, and that bodes well. This year's senior class went 24-1 as sophomores and expects to have success in their last season of high school basketball. Walsh figures to be one of the more reliable scorers, and Hayes says hits outside shot has improved markedly over last year. “He's just more confident in it, and I think playing a lot last year helped with that,” Hayes said. “He's really at another level with it now.” But Hayes also says it's likely he has the kind of team where someone different could lead the team in scoring every night. Guard Jake Stepuszek and forward Kyle Hammarlund also saw important minutes last season, and seniors Matt Trimberger, Miles McDonnell and Kevin Murphy will also be among the key seniors. Junior guards Mark Clark and Drew Soukup will build important depth, and Addison Lubert, a 6-foot-7 post standout, will be an immediate contributor and a force around the basket. Put it all together, and it's clear why the Lions have one more goal on their list. “As always, we want to contend in the ESCC,” said Quin, whose team came close to winning it last year with a 7-2 league record. “We'd like to see if we can get it done this year.” The Lions welcome Conant, Prospect and Highland Park to their four-team Thanksgiving tournament next week. Hayes says he'll focus coaching team defense in the early stages of the season and is less concerned with the range of options for putting the ball in the basket. “I always say, it's easy to coach when you have players who try hard,” he said. “These guys, they're willing — I have a great group this year.”