Scouting Barrington Broncos

Barrington Broncos

Coach Bryan Tucker (first year; 13th overall, 238-124)

Last year 7-22, 3-7 (5th MSL West)

Key losses Mack Darrow (all-area, 18 ppg, 8 rpg, 2.4 apg, Princeton), Chris Howard, Daniel Evers

Returning players Seniors Ben Bartz (6-3, F), Bryan Wegner (6-0, G), Riley O'Daniel (5-11, G), James Stack (6-0, G), Kenny Greer (6-4, C), Jack Sheetz (6-2, F)

Newcomers Juniors Tyler Weathered (5-10, G), Greg Gerrard (6-2, F), Mike McAndrews (5-8, G), Dan Barber (5-11, G), Brent Nelson (6-3, F), Owen Prunskis (6-2, F), Mitch Smith (6-4, F); sophomores John Schneider (6-6, F), Mark Bennett (6-3, F)

Outlook It's a new beginning for Barrington basketball as Tucker takes over after successful runs at Loyola and Marian Catholic and inherits a lot of players relatively new to varsity basketball. "There are some definite growing pains with a new system, but it's a good group and they're working hard," said Tucker, who took over after Marty Dello resigned after six seasons. And it figures to be that way as Tucker said the Broncos "are a long way away" from a set lineup. Wegner figures to play a prominent role since he played the most of the returnees. "He looks like it," Tucker said. "He has some game experience and some ability." Bartz is the second-most experienced returnee and Stack has also done some good things in the preseason. Schneider joined the varsity at midseason last year and saw action in a handful of games. "You can clearly see he's a kid with some athletic ability and a lot of potential," Tucker said. "When he gets a little more seasoned he'll be a hard matchup for teams." The Broncos are also getting used to playing more man-to-man defense with some zone mixed in. "They definitely have the ability to be a really good man-to-man defensive team if they put their minds to it," Tucker said.