Scouting Palatine Pirates

Palatine Pirates

Coach Eric Millstone (second year, 4-22)

Last year 4-22, 1-9 (6th in West)

Key losses Matt Rossi (9.8 ppg), Mark Knoeppel (4.8 ppg, 18 3s), Kevin Becker; junior Cody Bobbit (concentrating on football and baseball)

Returning players Seniors Nat Pearson (6-3, G, 9.2 ppg, 17 3s), Tommy Galvan (6-2, F, 4.4 ppg, 19 3s), Tommy Johlie (5-11, G), Mykyta Cheshko (6-5, F), Kyle Held (6-7, C), Jake Velinski (6-1, F), Chad Bobbit (5-11, F); sophomore Michael Orris (4.4 ppg)

Newcomers Juniors Egan Malley (5-10, G), Chris Harris (5-9, G), Jimmy Smearman (6-0, G), Bryan Kirkwood (6-0, F), Peter Bony (5-10, G), Jake Poklop (6-0, G), Jeremy Driggers (6-1, F)

Outlook The gap between the offense and defense figures to close significantly as Palatine looks to take a big jump toward its first above-. 500 season since it was 18-10 in 1997-98. "They have a better feel for what we're trying to do and we have a better feel," Millstone said. "For as bad as we were offensively last year (42.6 points per game) we were pretty confident defensively (53 ppg)." The versatile Pearson returns to set the tone for the offense. "He's just going to will himself to 6 to 8 points a game on effort," Millstone said, "and he's a great kid to build around." Orris made big strides along with the athletic and long Cheshko, who has improved his shooting and defense. Held is coming off a big soccer season and will be a big key at both ends inside and Galvan is a skilled shooter who has improved his all-around offensive skills. Smearman figures to be the first player off the bench with a versatility similar to what he showed in football. "We have some skill kids and tough kids," Millstone said. "It's a matter now of meshing those two together."