Scouting Bartlett boys basketball
Bartlett Hawks
Coach: Jim Wolfsmith (fifth year, 76-42)
Last year: 17-15, 5-7, Upstate Eight Conference (Valley Division); lost 33-32 to South Elgin in Class 4A St. Charles East regional final.
Top players: Seniors Matt Chaltin (6-4, G), Jonathan Leigeber (6-4, F), Nathan Massey (6-0, F), Lorenzo Mitchell (6-4, F), Joe Sabatino (6-7, C), Lance Whitaker (6-4, G); juniors Marcus Aluquin (5-10, G), John Moss (5-10, G), Nick Nekola (6-3, F), Matt Seidl (6-2, F)
Scouting report: The 2011 season outlook changed drastically in July when Division I prospect Lance Whitaker suffered an injury to an anterior cruciate ligament during an AAU game in St. Louis. The junior is the area’s leading returning scorer (16.7 ppg) and fifth-leading rebounder (6.1 rpg.). Does Bartlett expect Whitaker to return to action in time for March Madness? “That’s a great question,” Bartlett coach Jim Wolfsmith said. “The thing about a knee injury or any surgery is you don’t know how quickly he can return to a level that is comfortable for him and his coaches regarding his long-term future. I think there’s a better than average chance we’ll see him at some point, but it’s too early to tell because he hasn’t even started running yet. We’ll know more in December.” The scoring load shifts to senior guard Matt Chaltin and power forward Lorenzo Mitchell, two physically prepared players. Chaltin “transformed” his body in the last year, according to his coach, and returns a more well-rounded guard. Chaltin has always been blessed with a shooting touch — he hit 62 shots from 3-point range and sank 53 of 63 free throws last year — but he can now drive the lane strong and dunk regularly. Wolfsmith compares his development to that of former all-area player Cory Hrynyk prior to the latter’s senior season. Mitchell is a true space eater in the low post. A Division I tight end prospect, the senior enters his fourth season of varsity basketball. He averaged 6 points and 5 rebounds per game last year. Handling the ball in Whitaker’s absence will be point guards Marcus Aluquin and John Moss, both of whom gained varsity experience as sophomores. Aluquin backed up Whitaker and saw minutes when the starter found foul trouble. Moss came up halfway through last season when back issues sidelined Aluquin. Joe Sabatino (6-foot-7) is the team’s tallest player. He can score and block shots. Jonathan Leigeber is a tall, strong wing with the potential to be a lockdown defender. Matt Seidel played varsity soccer as a freshman and sophomore. He, Moss, Aluquin and Chaltin can each shoot the ball. Football fullback Nathan Massey is a powerful wing who rebounds and plays tough defense, a heart-and-soul energy guy. “We’re not huge but we’re long and we’re quick,” Wolfsmith said. “We have a bunch of 6-4 bigs who are juniors who are going to have to step up for us. Without Lance everybody has to step up their game one notch higher.” The Hawks join the Wheaton Academy Thanksgiving Tournament after years of traveling to Waukegan and Warren. They will again compete in the Jacobs Holiday Tournament in the same pool as Zion-Benton, Chicago Hope and St. Charles North.