Scouting Immaculate Conception boys basketball
Immaculate Conception
Coach: Darren Howard (11th year, 106-177).
Last year: 12-15, 5-5, third in the Suburban Christian Conference Gold Division; lost 75-62 to Walther Lutheran in a Class 2A Immaculate Conception regional quarterfinal.
Top players: Pat Burke, sr., C; John Cheng, jr., G; Mike Devito, sr., F; Pat Haggerty, sr., G; Brian Harvey, jr., F; Mike Lestina, jr., C; Anthony Loss, sr., G; Demetrius Mobley, sr., F; Dan Ribando, jr., F.
Scouting report: With juniors from a 23-4 sophomore squad the Knights should extend their five straight double-digit win seasons, best since 1978-87. Second-team all-stater Mobley may be Howard's first Division I recruit. The slasher returns team highs of 15.7 points and 5.4 rebounds. Three-year point guard Mike Randick graduated, but this group displays an ability to score outside or go big with Ribando, Lestina, Loss, Mobley and 6-8 Burke all 6-3 or taller. Offense is on pace to match last year's 60.5-point average, best in a decade. Defense? "Athletically definitely we can play defense," Howard said. "I think desire-wise we still have to work on it."