Boys basketball: Scouting St. Viator

St. Viator

Coach: Mike Howland (first year)

Last year: 14-13, 4-8 (7th ESCC)

Key losses: Seniors Quinn Murray (F, 2.5 ppg), Dan Moynihan (F, 2.5 ppg), Cameron Korab (G), Ryan McGuigan (G), Colin Carney (F); seniors Nick Abel (F, transferred to Schaumburg), Brian Wilhite (F, 3.2 ppg), Frank Laterza (6-1, G, injured).

Returning players: Seniors D.J. Morris (6-0, all-area G, 14 ppg, 3 apg, 59 3s), Kevin Walsh (6-2, all-area G, 12.6 ppg, 2.5 apg, 40 3s), Chris Myjak (6-6, C, 10.1 ppg), Dan Forde (6-2, G, 3.8 ppg), Brian Guth (6-5, F), Tony Kasper (6-5, C)

Newcomers: Juniors Kevin Hammarlund (6-0, G), Mayo Arogundade (5-11, G), Patrick Martin (6-2, F), Hugh Masterson (6-5, C); sophomore Ore Arogundade (6-2, F-G); freshman Mark Falotico (6-0, G)

Outlook: As far as transitions go, this has been as smooth as the ones Howland led as a two-time all-area point guard at Viator (1997-98). He spent the last eight years as an assistant before Joe Majkowski retired last spring after a successful 24-year tenure with a 367-281 record. "On day one of practice we were more ready than any team we've had in recent memory," Howland said. "We have a lot of experience coming back but also a lot of young guys who are going to play. The offseason was a great opportunity for them to all come together and this team really enjoys being together." Especially with a pair of returning all-area guards in Morris at the point and Walsh on the perimeter. Myjak has also looked good as he enters his third varsity season. "We really want to make sure he's getting his touches (inside) this year," Howland said. "We can't go through games shooting 38 3s like we did last year against Hersey." Forde also returns to bring a defensive presence and Guth and Kasper should provide some inside minutes. Ore Arogundade and Martin were late February varsity call-ups last year who will play big roles along with Hammarlund, who is out with mononucleosis, Masterson, Mayo Arogundade and combo-guard Falotico. "You would never know he's a freshman when you see him out there," Howland said. "He has a tremendous future but it's good for him that he doesn't have to go out and dominate games." Howland has a lot of versatility but the Lions are also looking for the consistency particularly defensively they lacked after an 8-1 start last year. "We're quick and athletic at every position and I don't think we forced enough turnovers last year," Howland said. "We have guys who can make plays on the defensive end and we're going to give them some freedom to do it."