Boys basketball: Scouting the Upstate Eight
Elgin Maroons
Interim coach: Mike Sitter (1st year)
Last season's record: 17-12
Conference: Upstate Eight
Top returning players: Seniors: Jeremy Granger (6-2 guard), Gustavo Herrera (6-2 forward), Derell Howse (5-11 guard), D'Angelo Stewart (6-6 center), Armani Williams (6-3 guard), Kenny Williams (6-0 forward)
Top newcomers: Tom Roth (6-0 point guard)
Outlook: With four starters back, including two All-Upstate Eight and All-Area senior guards in Jeremy Granger and Armani Williams, the Maroons, who will be coached by Mike Sitter after Rob Brault's removal as head coach earlier this week, are undeniably talented. The core of this team has been together for two seasons. To capitalize on their shared experience and have the breakthrough season they've envisioned, the Maroons must commit themselves on a nightly basis to doing what's necessary to win. That means pushing the ball up the floor consistently, getting in the opponent's face on defense and recognizing the importance of rebounding. When the Maroons did those things last year they were a tough team to beat. When they lapsed in any one of those phases, they were mortal. Granger (14.9 ppg.) is one of the best players in the area and must play like one every night. A shutdown defender who can score or dish, this unselfish senior guard is best all-around talented. Elgin isn't afraid to let Granger post up smaller guards. How well he leads will determine Elgin's success. On Monday, senior sharpshooter Armani Williams (16.4 ppg., 60 3-pointers) practiced for the first time since undergoing surgery for a torn ACL last May. D'Angelo Stewart (6.2 ppg.) is one of the area's most ferocious rebounders. Derrell Howse () gives Elgin additional strength and depth inside. Gustavo Herrera (2.1 ppg.) contributed as an effective substitute in limited minutes last year. Football quarterback Tom Roth is one of the school's best athletes and will likely be the team's fifth starter, joining the four returnees. Roth is an excellent ballhandler who can take the point guard burden off Granger from time to time. A player to watch (How could you miss him?) is 6-11 transfer student Eric Grens, cousin of former Elgin girls sports standout Katie Grens. Look for Elgin's first true big man in years to log significant minutes and significant rebounds as he gets familiar with the system. The Maroons should challenge contenders Neuqua Valley, East Aurora, St. Charles East, Waubonsie Valley and Lake Park for the UEC title, which Elgin last won in 1998.
-- Jerry Fitzpatrick
Larkin Royals
Coach: Larry Hight (1st season)
Last season's record: 6-18
Conference: Upstate Eight
Top returning players: Seniors: Nick Bee (5-9 guard), Tyler Compere (6-1 forward/guard) Chris Esterino (5-9 guard), Mike Falese (5-9 guard), Cam Kinley (6-3 guard/forward), Messiah Lewis (5-9 guard), Ryan Shriver (5-9 guard); juniors Deonte McFadden (6-3 forward), Jeff Saurbaugh (5-10 guard)
Top newcomers: Senior Frank Guihan (6-4 center/forward); juniors Anthony Barracks (6-0 guard/forward), Brandon Cooks (6-0 guard/forward), Zak Fluhler (5-9 guard), Terrell John (6-1 forward/guard), Justin Kalusa (6-0 forward/guard), Jon Meidel (6-0 forward/guard)
Outlook: Larkin has the market cornered on 5-9 guards. Six populate the roster. Most will play significant minutes in new coach Larry Hight's three-guard offense, which he says will be a hybrid between former coach Joe Kain's swing offense and the motion offense Hight is installing. Those offenses have many similarities, which should ease the transition. But the defensive scheme is all new. Hight learned man-to-man defense while coaching at York high school in 1985 with Bob Ociepka, who became an NBA assistant coach for the last 17 seasons, currently with the Minnesota Timberwolves. "I've plugged that system in everywhere I've been," said Hight, who last coached Larkin's sophomore team from 1992-1997. "It's a man-to-man system with four variations from light to heavy, and there's some technique involved. We'll have different types of man-to-man defenses for the various types of teams we'll face." The Royals return leading scorer Cam Kinley (7.8 ppg), a three-sport athlete who can create his own shot. A shot in the arm could come from Frank Guihan, who was cut last season but has made big strides as a senior, Hight said. Deonte McFadden (5.4 ppg.) showed flashes of brilliance as a sophomore - like when he tied the Elgin game at the buzzer with a 3-pointer. He's talented and could be a major factor for Larkin if he remains focused. The guard rotation will include Ryan Shriver (4.5 ppg.), Chris Esterino (0.3), Nick Bee (2.4), Mike Falese (0.3), Messiah Lewis (4.7) and junior Jeff Saurbaugh, the latter of whom should see significant playing time, according to Hight. Hight isn't sure what this team can accomplish yet, but the minimum goals for his program are set. "We want to be .500, in the upper half of the conference and reach sectionals," Hight said. "I think those are reachable goals.
-- Jerry Fitzpatrick
Bartlett Hawks
Coach: Jim Wolfsmith (1st season)
Last season's record: 10-19
Conference: Upstate Eight
Top returning players: Seniors: Cory Hrynyk (6-5 forward); Kamil Janton (6-9 center); junior Mike Selvaggi (6-4 forward); sophomore Luke Labedski (6-0 guard)
Top newcomers: Senior Derrick Coleman (6-3 center); junior Mike Banks (6-0 guard), Marcell Randell (6-3 forward), Mark Little (5-10 guard); sophomores Frank Cleope (5-10 point guard), Kevin Gates (5-10 point guard),
Outlook: Jim Wolfsmith takes over as coach for Tom Lamberti, who stepped down late last summer after four years. Since he wasn't officially hired until Aug. 28, the new coach and his Hawks are playing catch up. "I feel like I'm starting the New York Marathon an hour late," joked Wolfsmith, who has coached boys basketball at Bartlett since it opened in 1997. Wolfsmith coached the underclass levels for six years and spent the last four seasons as Lamberti's assistant varsity coach. To their credit, the players put in two-a-day practices before and after school last week in an attempt to quickly ingest the philosophies of their new coach. Only 30 percent of the former system remains in place. The rest has to be learned quickly. Wolfsmith, also the Bartlett softball coach, inherits an experienced, talented frontcourt in 6-9 Kamil Janton (11.9 ppg., 8.9 rpg) and 6-5 Cory Hrynyk (averaged 12 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists). Each enters this season stronger and faster, the result of intensive off-season conditioning. Janton (Eastern Michigan) runs the court well for a big man, which will come in handy in the up-tempo style Wolfsmith is installing. Bartlett has loads of talent in the frontcourt, but that talent is young. The point-guard rotation will feature sophomores Kevin Gates, a muscular defender with a nose for the basket, and lefty Frankie Cleope, a lighting-quick ballhandler who can shoot from the perimeter. The Hawks could also get help from junior Mark Little, a transfer from Driscoll, where he played two seasons of varsity basketball. The Hawks are awaiting final OK from the IHSA before suiting Little up. Talented sophomore shooter Luke Labedski (7.4 ppg.) returns for a second season at the two-guard. He's backed up by sophomore Mike Banks, a cornerback for the football team can slash and penetrate. Returning seniors Mike Selvaggi (3.5 ppg.) can shoot from the outside, which should draw his defender out of the post and give Janton more room to operate. Marcell Randell brings strength to the post. He's a garbage guy specializing in tip-ins, setting picks and layups off the pick and roll. Senior center Derrick Coleman (6-3) is a hard to move in the middle, the perfect counterbalance for Janton. Wolfsmith believes these Hawks are athletic enough to be a running team. "We've got the talented pieces and we've got a lot depth that will benefit us in this running style," he said. "You want to push the ball, you want to go, go, go. In order to do that you have to have guys on the bench who can fill in for the guys who started and not experience much of a dropoff. I definitely feel like we've got that depth. The guys want to win a UEC title, they want to win a regional. Once you get to a sectional anything can happen."
-- Jerry Fitzpatrick
Streamwood Sabres
Coach: Tim Jones (1st season)
Last season's record: 5-22
Conference: Upstate Eight
Top returning players: Seniors T.J. Enno (6-5 forward), Kyle Holder (6-4 forward); junior Tem Esikiel (6-0 guard)
Top newcomers: Seniors Lou Colletti (6-2 guard), Mel Thomas (6-3 forward); juniors Brian Domokos (6-4 forward), Ryan Kiesel (6-0 guard); sophomore Joey Hanover (6-0 guard)
Outlook: Streamwood basketball has a new look from the ground floor up, literally. The Sabres will play on a beautiful new hardwood floor, trimmed in Streamwood's signature Vegas gold and black. On that floor coach Tim Jones finally gets to direct his first varsity team. He spent 29 years as an assistant coach in the Upstate Eight, 25 as head sophomore coach and varsity assistant at Larkin. Jones assisted Dan Batka at Lake Park the last four seasons. He is charged with turning around a program that has won 27 games the last five seasons combined. "Everyone thinks Streamwood is down, but it takes just one winning season to get more kids to come out," Jones said. "Everything has been positive so far. The kids have been on time, working hard and getting after it defensively." Jones plans to use a rotation 10-deep, led by returning All-Area guard Tem Esikiel, who led the Sabres in minutes played (560), field-goal attempts (392), field goals (153), points (402), 3-pointers (47), assists (79) and steals (48) in his debut varsity season as a sophomore. He's joined by veterans Kyle Holder (2.3 ppg.) and T.J. Enno (8.3 ppg.). Esikiel is a gifted player. He can score, distribute and handle the ball with the best in the UEC. He is the key piston firing Streamwood's offensive engine. "He has to be a great leader for us, he has to be vocal," Jones said. "He has to realize he doesn't have to do it all by himself, that's the biggest thing. "He has to rely on everyone else and everyone else can't just stand there and watch him." Holder is an athletic player who can score inside or outside. Enno continues to improve. Matt Cohen and Kevin Wohlhart will share time at the point. Guard Johnny Barbosa is back in action after not trying out as a sophomore. Louis Colletti is a good shooter and can play defense. He didn't see much time last year but he will this season, according to Jones. Ryan Kiesel can score from the perimeter. Joey Hanover is the team's only sophomore. He'll play off guard. Hanover can score and play defense and his size (6-0) could mean minutes at forward. Senior Mel Thomas transferred from Hinsdale Central last winter and has been a pleasant surprise in fall workouts, Jones said. Brian Domokos provides more rebounding height in the post rotation. The roster is comprised of five seniors, 10 juniors and a sophomore, Hanover. "It's nice," Jones said of the roster breakdown. "It gives us a chance to develop these guys because they're not going to be all moving on after this year. We'll have continuity." Jones plans to maximize the talents of his athletic 10-man rotation in an up-tempo style heavy on fast breaks and defensive pressure.
-- Jerry Fitzpatrick
South Elgin Storm
Coach: Chaz Taft (2nd season, 8-21)
Last season's record: 8-21
Conference: Upstate Eight
Top returning players: Seniors Josh Glenn (6-1 guard), Adam Hodge (6-4 forward), Dan Lopez (6-9 center), Jason Morris (6-9 center), Alex Sanchez (5-10 point guard)
Top newcomers: Juniors Jordan Dobler (6-0 forward/guard), Jeff Lewis (5-10 guard), Erik Stade (6-0 guard)
Outlook: South Elgin was respectable in its inaugural season, considering it lacked seniors. The Storm even won a playoff game. The team's inexperience showed most in close games, however. South Elgin lost nine games by 7 points or less. "The question now is how do we react to those pressure situations as a veteran team?" asked second-year coach Chaz Taft. "Did we mature in a year to handle those situations? That's make or break right there. Those are 1- or 2-possession games we let slip away." The top six in the rotation return to a 4-out, 1-in offense. The four out will be guards Josh Glenn (3.1 ppg.), Adam Hodge (7.8), Alex Sanchez (3.3) and junior Jeff Lewis, who has impressed Taft in practices. They'll shoot from the outside, cut, slash and dish. They'll dump the ball inside to center Dan Lopez, who grew an inch to 6-foot-9 and is "playing like an absolute monster," according to Taft. Lopez has come on strong enough to displace Jason Morris, the team's leading scorer of a year ago at 18 points per game, as the starter, though Morris is expected to be a huge contributor. The Storm suffered a loss this fall when returning guard Josh Smith (6-5 ppg.), the team's best defender, tore his ACL during football season. He'll miss his junior campaign. In his place comes Lewis, along with a rotation of juniors Erik Stade and Jordan Dobler. Taft said all three are solid defensive players. South Elgin's guards must be able to handle pressure better than they did a year ago. But the biggest issue for this team will be floor leadership. Maturity must be demonstrated, led by the returning starters and Lopez. "I expect a ton of leadership out of Glenn, Hodge, Lopez and Sanchez," Taft said. "They are all coming back in prime roles where they played a lot of minutes. We need them to take charge in the game and take charge in practice when it goes bad. I expect them to turn the tide here."
-- Jerry Fitzpatrick
St. Charles East Saints
Coach: Brian Clodi, fifth season.
Last year: 15-16 overall, 4-6 in the Upstate Eight Conference (seventh in the regular season, fifth in the tournament). Won 24th regional title in school history.
Top returning players: Ryan Suits, sr., F; Marc Stelatto, sr., G; Kevin Senechalle, jr., C; Mike Manisco, sr., G; Jordan Fisher, sr., G; Brian Lankton, sr., G; Cam Caruso, sr., G; Jake Krzeczowski, sr., F; Collin Pryor, sr., G; Zach Scott, so., G.
Top newcomers: Phil Kohlhagen, jr., PG; Matt Jurewicz, jr., G; Jeff Jones, jr., G; Joe Vitali, jr., C; Tim Russell, jr., F.
Outlook: The Saints may have lost a lot (7 players to graduation), but return a lot as well. Guiding the way with his all-around game is last year's leading scorer in Pryor, who is headed to D-II's Northern State University in South Dakota. "We think he can really take off," Clodi said. "We think he can definitely make our team better." Six newcomers and 8 returning seniors grace this year's roster. In his second year on varsity, Senechalle should lead the junior class and is expected to have a breakout year. "I'm telling you, he's going to be someone teams are going to have to recognize," Clodi said. There is no doubt the Saints had a nice off-season after playing 65 games together. How that translates to the varsity level is to be determined. "They stayed together," Clodi said of off-season play. "But when it comes to a varsity high school game, we are very inexperienced. We have 26 (points) and 16 (rebounds) if you add all the averages together on the players that are back. That's not very much. Collin was the show, these guys got to watch and contribute very minutely. But through hard work and preparation, now is their time. They are starting to play as a nice group, and we are really excited about that."
-- Christine Bolin
St. Charles North North Stars
Coach: Tom Poulin, second season.
Last year: 16-15 overall, 6-4 in the Upstate Eight Conference (tied for fourth place in the regular season, seventh place in the tournament).
Top returning players: Nick Neari, jr., G; Joe Deliberto, sr., G; Nic Higgins, sr., G; Jonathan DeMoss, jr., F/G; Tim Janeway, sr., F; Austin Peterson, sr., F; Rusty Lavaja, sr., C.
Top newcomers: Mike Lefelstein, jr., G; Eric Battle, jr., G; Mike Kastel, jr., F/C; Jake Thornton, sr., G; Danny Jimenez, sr., F/C; Jake Juriga, jr., F; Chris Nelson, jr., F; Zach Hirsch, jr., F.
Outlook: This super-athletic group is poised to do great things in Poulin's second season as coach. Seven players on the roster play football (where Poulin is also an assistant), three play baseball and one is on the volleyball team. "These kids have been successful and expect to win," Poulin said. This bunch is also expected to play well together, as most of the seniors have been playing together since middle school. Jimenez, Thornton, Neari, Janeway and Deliberto were all starters on the sophomore team that Poulin coached in the 2005-06 season. That team went 21-5. DeMoss and Higgins are also entering their third season on varsity. These things, along with the fact that the North Stars get along very well and are friends off the court, is what is going to help them have a solid season. "This is a tight group," Poulin said, noting that last weekend's team-bonding trip rock-climbing helped team chemistry. "It's like we are already in mid-season form. It's already there."
-- Christine Bolin