Boys basketball: Scouting Maine West
Maine West
Coach: Erik McNeill (eighth year, 74-122)
Last year: 17-11, 4-6 (T4th CSL North)
Key losses: Odera Eneogwe (all-area F, 14.3 ppg, 8.8 rpg, Roosevelt), Emmett Turner-Jackson (G, 4 ppg), Paul Solka (F, 4.7 ppg, Bradley baseball), Pat Livingston (F), Andre Smith (G-F), Ben Jose (F), Matt Jordan (G)
Returning players: Seniors Conor Hart (5-11 all-area G, 14.9 ppg, 4 rpg, 26 3s), Kevin Garcia (5-8, G, 8 ppg, 41 3s), Dylan Carson (5-8, G), Cody Zimmerman (6-9, C), Jon Augustine (6-1, G), Will Hepburn (5-10, G), Matt Solis (6-3, F).
Newcomers: Juniors Tom Kukec (6-0, G), Allante Bates (5-10, G), Matt Finnander (6-1, F), Austin Hansen (5-6, G), Jessy Mancilla (6-3, F), D.J. O'Neill (6-3, F), Jon Solka (5-7, G), Tony Volk (6-0, G).
Outlook: Maine West believes it finally has the right mix for back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2003-04. "We have some pieces coming back and a good junior class to step up," McNeill said. "We've always said if we could have two good classes in a row and now we have two good classes so we're excited." Leading the way is dangerous guard duo of Hart, a third-year starter getting a lot of Division III interest, and long-range threat Garcia. Carson saw a lot of time at backup point guard last year and Zimmerman has improved to provide the inside presence for the Warriors. "He still has a lot of room to grow, which is exciting because he works as hard as anybody I've coached," McNeill said. "He does a nice job of doing the simple things we need him to do rebound and change shots." Kukec showed his capability last year when he was called up to the varsity and made some big long-range shots in a regional loss to Maine South. Hepburn and Bates will help at the guards and Finnander provides some needed inside strength. Rebounding will also be a key with the graduation of Eneogwe. "The toughness part is something we need at both ends on defense," McNeill said. "That's something we have to get better with and the players recognize it. And we preach every day that Cody isn't going to get every rebound." McNeill said "there is no clear-cut favorite" in the CSL North which saw Glenbrook North and Niles North share last year's title.