Scouting South Elgin boys basketball

South Elgin Storm

Coach: Chaz Taft (sixth season, 74-68)

Last year: 16-13, 6-6, tied for third in the Valley Division of the Upstate Eight Conference; lost to Rockford Auburn 60-46 in Class 4A Jacobs sectional semifinal.

Top players: seniors Brandon Carson (6-3, C), Matthew Downing (6-6, C), Devonte Everett (6-0, G), Willie Gagic (5-10, G), Steven Legenza (5-8, G), Eric Stazy (5-10, g); juniors Kristopheroy Fojas (5-10, G/F), Jake Maestranzi (5-7, G), Ryne Lundy (6-4, C), Darius Wells (5-9, G)

Scouting report: The Storm return two key players from the school's first regional championship team: third-year starters Jake Maestranzi and Matthew Downing. "It's a solid place to start when you have your point guard back and a center who has played a lot of minutes," South Elgin coach Chaz Taft said. "I think those are the two most important positions to have experience. Those guys are our anchors. We've got to fill in the pieces around them, and I think we will because this team has been busting it. Their work ethic is outstanding." Unlike the past two seasons when South Elgin had a top scorer to defend like Tommy Childs or Sam Sutter, the scoring load will spread more evenly among Maestranzi, Downing and others. Maestranzi can help the Storm by getting to the free-throw line as often as possible. He shot 85.1 percent from the stripe a year ago. Of greater importance to the team is his ability to limit turnovers. Downing may look to score more this season, but many of his points come off the offensive boards. He averaged 3.9 rpg last year. Downing prides himself on his defense first, Taft said. Wells saw playing time last season as a sophomore. Because three juniors with little experience will be in the starting lineup, expectations for the Storm are unclear. "It might be too early to say what to expect of this team because there are so many new faces that haven't played in the league at the varsity level," Taft said. "It comes down to how well our veterans can show leadership and help the players new to varsity get through that wall. I think we can play good defense. It's like all five act as one out there and it's really good. Who's going to want to take that big shot at the end like Tommy and Sammy took? That's the question."