The crystal ball says: conference races look like a jumble
As another boys basketball season gets set to begin, it's time to take a really quick look at the area conferences.
DuPage Valley: Last season Glenbard East claimed its first conference title since 1990 to break West Aurora's streak of seven straight.
This year it might be Wheaton North's turn. Aiming for their first DVC crown since 1986, the Falcons return four starters, including 6-foot-8 Hillsdale College-bound John Bagge.
Glenbard East defends with one returning starter in guard Derak Stanback.
East Suburban Catholic: Despite graduating three Division I college recruits, St. Joseph remains cautiously optimistic with junior guard Diamond Taylor.
St. Patrick lost Sam Maniscalco to Bradley but still expects to challenge.
It could end up in a jumble, with third-year Benet guard Brian Gaughan and 6-7 Ryan Haggerty aiming to keep the Redwings in the mix.
Interstate Eight: Seneca's grip on the top spot is in jeopardy, but the Fighting Irish still have junior Seth Evans, a starter since his freshman season.
Keep an eye on Westmont, which returns three starters from a regional championship team, including all-IEC pick Matt Kardynalski.
Lisle, with only one starter back in center Mike Gortowski, hopes to stay in the hunt.
Metro Suburban: Fenton shared last year's title with Riverside-Brookfield, and you can expect the same teams to battle again.
As sick as Fenton is of seeing fourth-year R-B starter Chris Parrish, committed to Southern Illinois, the Bulldogs are probably just as sick of seeing fourth-year Bison starter Gozie Umeadi.
Private School League: At best it's a mystery.
Walther Lutheran may have the most experience. But Wheaton Academy, which shared last year's title, returns all-PSL pick Ben Euler for a third varsity season.
Maybe it's Timothy Christian's turn. Four starters are back, including 6-6 Peter Tameling.
Suburban Catholic: Driscoll and St. Francis have dominated since 2002 and shared last year's title.
This season Driscoll rates an edge with Albany-bound Jake Lindfors, who's 6-9, and 6-5 Matt Kaban. All-conference pick David Schwabe also returns.
Don't count out St. Francis, which looks to reload behind Brian McMahon.
Upstate Eight: Lake Park's dominant run ended with a slew of graduations.
Again, this might be a season of jumbleness.
Neuqua Valley always seems to rise to the top and should do so again with 6-7 Dan Pawelski and T.J. Jordan.
West Suburban Gold: Until someone trips up Proviso East, the Pirates will continue their control with guard Tremel Owens returning.
If you're looking for a wild card, give Willowbrook a shot. Four starters return led by 6-5 Milton Colbert, an All-Area pick, and third-year starter Kyler Market, a junior.
West Suburban Silver: Tough to argue against Oak Park and the Division I combo of Daniel Barnes, committed to Eastern Michigan, and Georgia Tech-bound Iman Shumpert.
Glenbard West, which last year won its first sectional title since 1938, remains a factor. Six-foot-eight Northwestern recruit John Shurna makes the Hilltoppers an automatic threat.
Western Sun: Another Northwestern recruit, Batavia's Nick Fruendt, joins David Bryant as the Bulldogs remain the favorite along with balanced Geneva.
Glenbard South played much better the second half of last season. The Raiders may surprise some folks.