Boys basketball: Central Suburban League North preview

CSL North

Maine West

Coach: Erik McNeill (fifth year, 38-74)

Last year: 8-21, 2-8 (6th CSL North)

Graduated players: Jimmy Orlowski (all-area G, 13 ppg, 91 3s), Adis Kadiric (Harper, 11.6 ppg, 51 3s), Sargon Youssef (Harper, 4.2 ppg), Stewart Turner-Jackson (4.2 ppg)

Returning players: Seniors Tommy Solis (6-7, F, 7.8 ppg), Bojan Balaban (6-3, F), Alex Seiler (5-10, G), Nate Andersen (6-1, G), Ryan Tuntland (5-11, G), Sebastian Stasiaskiewicz (6-0, G), Tryg Jensen (5-6, G), Nick Solka (6-2, F)

Newcomers: Juniors Alex Samuelson (6-2, F), Carlos Trejo (5-10, G), Chris Schiltz (5-9, G), Chris Garcia (5-10, G), Wes Bengsston (5-10, G), Zack Pavlatos (5-10, G)

Outlook: It's an extreme offensive makeover as the 525 3-pointers the Warriors quickly fired up last year will be cut significantly with a more patient approach to find Solis inside. "It's a much different team and that (3-point shooting) just isn't going to be our strength this year," McNeill said. "This year we need to focus on the inside with Solis." Solis came up during his sophomore year, has a nice touch away from the basket and has benefitted from playing football as a senior. Seiler was also up as a sophomore, is their best all-around player and could be their top scorer. Tuntland, who will play the point, Andersen, Balaban and Stasiaskiewicz, the Warriors' smartest player, all saw some time last year. "We could go eight, possibly nine deep and not really drop too much," McNeill said. "The energy is as high as I've ever had on a team." Trejo comes off an excellent sophomore season and will help with Samuelson and Cuevas, a transfer from Wheeling who will help defensively. "I thought last year we couldn't guard anybody," McNeill said. "This year our guards can match up with other teams' best players and we can afford to gamble a little more because Tommy is going to be around the basket."

East Suburban Catholic

St. Viator

Coach: Joe Majkowski (22nd year, 314-250)

Last year: 11-17, 3-10 (9th ESCC)

Graduated players: Mike Landuyt (all-area G, 9 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.5 apg), Jim Platania (10.1 ppg, 28 3s), Matt O'Malley (3.5 ppg), Eric Huber (7.8 ppg, 23 3s), Ryan Cortese

Returning players: Seniors Bryce Hensley (6-4, G, 6.1 ppg, 40 3s), Dan Faerber (6-0, F), K.J. Sherwood (5-10, G), Keegan Korab (6-4, F), Joe Dougherty (6-4, F), Mike Fleming (6-3, F), Jeff Geringer (6-3, C); juniors Alan Aboona (6-0, G, 8.4 ppg, 35 3s), Richard McLoughlin (6-4, F, 6.3 ppg)

Newcomers: Juniors Brendan King (6-0, F), Danny Muench (5-11, G), Jack Etchingham (6-3, F), Richard Markovits (6-0, F), Alex Campbell (6-0, G), Tim Wordlaw (6-5, C)

Outlook: After struggling to find offensive consistency in recent years, the Lions have a good place to start getting more points on the board in Aboona, who is stronger and has continued gaining confidence in his own shooting. "I can't tell you how much it helps to have a point guard with experience," Majkowski said. "I keep saying it, but he has exceeded our expectations in a lot of ways (since last season). I don't think of him as a junior." Already the Lions have seen better shooting with Hensley and McLoughlin also back with a full year of experience. Hensley has worked to be more than just a spot-up shooter and Majkowski said McLoughlin seems to be more confident after showing the ability at times last year to quickly score bunches of points. Fleming and Faerber will handle a lot of the inside work for a team that has decent size. "Faerber is one guy we're looking for who can be a defensive stopper," Majkowski said. "He's a tough kid and he'll also rebound for us." Majkowski also likes the depth with Sherwood's shooting, Etchingham, Korab, Dougherty, King and Wordlaw, the tallest player on the roster. "If he just keeps progressing as he has the first couple of years he'll be a force to be reckoned with," Majkowski said. "He has a lot of talent and natural ability." The Lions hope it all helps turn around a 3-10 record in games decided by 8 points or less.

West Suburban Gold

Leyden

Coach: Bill Heisler (second year, 4-22)

Last year: 4-22, 1-11 (T6th WSC Gold)

Graduated players: Joe Natale, Robert Carli; Deron Guyton (17.8 ppg, 37 3s, transferred to Proviso East)

Returning players: Seniors Alex Regalado (6-2, G, 8.6 ppg), Anthony Cushion (6-0, G) 8.4 ppg, 58 3s), John Bassmaji (6-4, F), Mitch Stephens (5-11, G), Ian Saboya (6-0, G)

Newcomers: Juniors Javier Lazcano (G), Michael Woolf (G), Jason Borntrager (6-1, G); sophomore Brandon Stinson (G)

Outlook: The Eagles lost Guyton, who was dismissed from the team late last year and headed to Proviso East, but Heisler has found plenty of people willing to do whatever it takes to compensate - led by top returnees Regalado and Cushion. "It's good to have a fresh group and positive energy in the gym," Heisler said. "Some of our key guys have stepped up and embraced leadership roles. Regalado and Cushion didn't miss a day in the summer and they've been fantastic. They've embraced this as their team." Regalado, Cushion, Lazcano and Woolf will fuel a team bringing a lot of pressure and shooting a lot of 3s. Lazcano will take the point and Heisler believes all four are capable of big numbers. Regalado, whose brother Vito hold school records for 3s for a single-season (96 in 2002-03) and career (188), worked hard to add that dimension. "Now I think he has to be guarded out there a little bit," Heisler said. Bassmaji comes back after missing almost all of last year with a lacerated spleen and will have to help address concerns about rebounding. Saboya saw some time last year and Stinson has a lot of potential. "I feel more comfortable in this position," Heisler said. "There is a lot more direction and that has a lot to do with the kids. They had a great commitment in the offseason. I think we'll be better and there's much better energy in the program."