Boys basketball: Scouting the MSL East
Buffalo GroveCoach: Keith Peterson
Last year: 10-17, 2-8 MSL East
Top returning players: Hans Haller (6-5, Sr.), Conner Reid (5-11, Sr), Ryan Williams (6-2, Sr)
Key losses: Andrew Apel, Scott Smithern
Outlook: The Buffalo Grove Bison intend on giving everyone new looks. That started this past summer when the Bison gymnasium was redone.
"Remember how dark our basketball court looked?" said coach Keith Peterson. "We have new lighting, a new floor and the ceiling has been painted white. The players were excited about the change when they came in for shootarounds. Some of the players took pictures. They liked it."
Peterson will begin his second year at the helm at Buffalo Grove. In his inaugural season the Bison were 10-17 and 2-8 in the Mid-Suburban East. Peterson has been an assistant for 11 years and starred at Palatine ,where he was all-area in 1996 and 1997.
Hans Haller, a 6-foot-5 junior who averaged 5 points and was the team's leading rebounder, returns up front. Conner Reid, who started about 75 percent of the time, and Ryan Williams, who was a part-time starter, both return.
Peterson is going to rely heavily on two sophomores at the guard position. Colin Dekorsi (5-8) and Collin Calcagno will run a wide-open offensive attack.
"Dekorsi is very aggressive and quick," said Peterson. "He'll be a good one. He just needs some varsity seasoning. Calcagno (5-11) is a good shooter and has good range. He's going to give us some energy on the floor."
Nate Watson (6-1, Sr.) will play where needed on the floor, according to Peterson.
"He's very athletic," Peterson said. "He's a good rebounder and at his size can dunk the ball and block shots. He worked hard on his game over the summer.
"For us to have a good season we need to be able to rebound the ball," said Peterson. "We're going to need contributions from everyone on the floor. We had go-to guys like Luke Potnick two years ago and Apel last year.
"What I like so far in practice is that the players are really looking to make each other better players. We're going to have to move the ball around to get players in position to shoot. At this point we need to develop our defense. We're going to have to be more verbal on the floor to help each other."
The Bison will start the season with home tournament games against Niles North, Grayslake Central, Christian Liberty and then Marmion.
For Christmas tournaments, Buffalo Grove has moved into the Wheeling Hardwood Classic.
Elk GroveCoach: Anthony Furman
Last year: 15-13 (6-4 MSL East)
Top returnees: Tyler Ingebrigtsen (6-6, Sr.), Dan Hadler (6-4, Sr), Eric Pillath (6-3, Sr)
Key losses: Joell Melendez, Brian Alcazar, Scott Furlong
Outlook: Elk Grove has been waiting for the stars to align in their direction. The 2014-2015 just might be the season.
For the first time in three years the Grenadiers have been able to hold their basketball summer camp in their own gym.
"Two years ago a new floor was being put into the gym, " said head coach Anthony Furman. "Last year new air conditioning was installed. We had to have our camps at Rolling Meadows and Forest View. It just wasn't the same as participating at your own school."
Elk Grove is going to have a big say-so in the Mid-Suburban East. The Grenadiers have some key elements that return for the season.
The biggest element will be 6-foot-6 senior center Tyler Ingebrightsen, who averaged 10 ppg. He's been up on the varsity since mid-way during his sophomore season.
"He's clearly coming into this season with a great effort in practice," said Furman. "He's worked on his inside-outside game and he's solid on defense."
Dan Hadler at 6-4 is not your usual high school-sized point guard, but Furman has no problem with that.
"Dan can shoot, drive, and distribute," said Furman. "His game is really multi faceted. We're going to ask him to do all three things. He's ready for the challenge."
Eric Pillath at 6-3 is going to be a surprise to many, according to Furman. Pillath tore his ACL at the end of his freshmen year and did not play as a sophomore. Last season he played in a reserve role but was still not 100 percent.
"It took last year and the summer to get to where he needs to be," said Furman. "Late last year his leg bothered him at times. Now he's playing on all cylinders."
Malco Odishoo (5-10, Sr.) has shown the ability that Furman is looking for in a off guard. Isaiah Curile (5-6, sr.) is showing quickness as a back-up guard. A big surprise may be 6-1 senior Depin Patel.
"He's a shooter," said Furman. 'He knows how to catch and shoot. Sort of like Mike Dunleavy from the (Chicago) Bulls. He's ready to play. Our players are at the point where they know they belong. Even the juniors have the same attitude. They know what their roles are. We have to be able to share the ball and to recognize who's in the groove. This is the most versatile team I've had here in eight years. Our halfcourt man defense will be a key to our success."
Elk Grove will start the season at the Fenton Tournament facing South Elgin, Corliss and then the host Bison. The finale on Friday will be the final of pool play. The Grenadiers will return to the York Holiday Tournament in December.
HerseyCoach: Steve Messer (11th season)
Last year: 13-15 (6-4 MSL East)
Top returning players: Payton Haas (6-1, Sr.), Max Heeren (6-1, Sr.), Josh Mailloux (6-5, Sr)
Key losses: Michael Fuerst, Alex Mueller
Outlook: It sure looks like the kind of year Hersey can expect be in the hunt for a Mid-Suburban League East title.
The Huskies return a experienced guard tandem in 6-1 Payton Haas (12 ppg) and Max Heeren (7.5 ppg). Toss in a strong Josh Maillox at 6-5 and 240 pounds in the middle for Hersey and you have makings of a good team.
Sophomore guard Joe Coffaro, who came up to the varsity late in the season as a freshman, will add to coach Steve Messer's three-guard line up. Battling for the other forward positions will be 6-4 junior Michael Lelito and 6-2 junior Mark Milligan.
Cody Bayless, a 6-3 senior who saw some playing time last season, and all-area soccer star Tim Griffin (5-10) will give the Huskies some depth.
"The fact is," said Messer, "that we should be a well-balanced team. In the MSL if your have two or three good scorers you should be at the top of the conference race. I think that we have five players who can be in double figures every game."
Haas and Heeren will be key factors. Both will practice what they preach, as they've been helpers in the Huskies' grade school feeder system. Haas joined this year and Heeren is in his second season.
"They know how to share the ball, which will be a key component to our team," said Messer. "How they play in our first six games will tell us on how our season is going to go. We need to establish momentum early on."
In the Niles West Kurland-Schnurr tournament to start the season, the Huskies will face Glenbrook North, Niles West and Robeson from Chicago. In Friday's finale they will play a crossover from the St. Patrick round-robin pool.
Hersey will still continue its winter trek to Pekin for their annual holiday tournament.
"Payton will be a key player," said Messer. "He had a slow start to last season put picked it up as the season went on to average 13 ppg. He has really worked on his defense. In practice he has shown the toughness that I wanted to see. He was quiet last year but this year he has taken on the leadership role. He's been all over the place in practice.
"Heeren has developed his outside shot. He has also learned how to create shots for others. He told me in practice that's what he want to do this year, and that impressed me. Mailloux just needs to be consistent and if he does that he will be a very good player. He's big and can rebound.
"The seniors have shown great maturity and the desire to play team ball."
Messer emphasized that to be successful, his team needs to play tough defense and rebound to help move the ball up the floor.
If all the pieces fall in place, look for Hersey to be battling Prospect for the MSL East.
ProspectCoach: John Camardella (8th year)
Last year: 16-12 (9-1 MSL East)
Top returning players: Kyle Beyak (5-11 Sr.), Kyle Formanski (6-4 Sr.)
Key losses: Bobby Frasco, Danny Thomas
Outlook: How do you replace MSL East player of the year on Bobby Frasco and stalwart forward Danny Thomas? Don't be too concerned for coach John Camardella's cagers.
Prospect falls under the axiom, 'We don't rebuild, we reload.'
The Knights bring back two key players in guard Kyle Beyak and Kyle Formanski from last year's 16-12 overall and 9-1 MSL East champions.
Grant Miller (5-10, Sr.), who saw considerable time at guard last year will play opposite of Beyak.
Ernest Kiseliovas (6-2) will also start in a three-guard lineup. Joe Paczko (5-9, Sr.) will be a backup guard.
Camardella is going to look for up-front for help from seniors Patryk Niemiec (6-3) and Greg Suarez (6-1) at forward. Junior forward Pasquale Atteo (6-4) can play multiple positions to fill in the gaps.
Three sophomores will be up on the varsity level - Frankie Mack (6-0), Michael Ritchie (6-4), and Matt Szuba (6-4). All will be competing for playing time.
"We're smaller than we have been in the past," said Camardella. "So it will be important for us to get out in a transition game and putting pressure on teams with our defense. That will be a key to our season. We're going to be looking for players to help step up their games.
"We'll have a set play offense and maybe slow the game down when we have to. This team passes the ball well. When they were sophomores they went 24-1, losing only to Simeon in a sophomore tournament. They know what it takes to win."
Beyak was credited with 89 assists last season with minimal turnovers over a 28 game schedule. Beyak was the Knights' third leading scorer with 11 ppg and also had 31 steals. Beyak is getting a lot of attention from some college scouts.
Formanski averaged 5 ppg. and was Prospect's third-leading rebounder with 107.
"Kyle did a good job at the power forward for us last year, " said Camardella. "He does a lot of the small things you don't notice on the court the right way. He's very good on the pick and roll. He's really going to play a big part of what we are looking for him to do this year."
Is there going to be a learning curve for the Knights - and if so, how quickly will they master it?
"We're going to learn on the fly to start the season," said Camardella. "We're going to have to come together fast with the teams we face in our first six games."
The Knights open at the St. Viator round robin, and they're scheduled to meet Walther Lutheran, Highland Park, Conant and the host Lions. Each team figures to be near our at the top of their conference or division. Prospect opens at Hersey to start the conference season, then hosts Fremd.
Camardella beefed up the nonconference slate with the likes of Niles North, Lyons, Glenbrook North, Warren and Wheaton Warrenville South. Prospect will also partake in the Wheeling Hardwood Classic.
"We want to toughen our players with good, quality opponents," said Camardella. "We might take a few hits but it will help us in the long run."
Rolling MeadowsCoach: Kevin Katovich (13th year)
Last year: 13-15 (5-5 MSL East)
Top returning players: A.J. Aloquin (5-3, Sr), John Lothery (5-8, Sr), Emanuel Lopez (5-11, Sr)
Key losses: Matt Dolan, Pat Kramp, Charlie Metzger, John Ungurean
Outlook: There's both good new and bad news for Mustangs basketball fans.
The good news, according to coach Kevin Katovich, is that this will be one of the deepest teams Rolling Meadows has had in years. The bad news is the Mustangs don't have very much height on their team. Sophomore Jared Murphy, who is a projected starter is 6-foot-2.
"We're going to have some match up problems this year," said Katovich. "To offset that we're going to have to run a lot and play with energy. Our depth could be our plus. We'll have some growing pains. It will be a learning process for us and we're just going to have to grind it out."
A.J. Aloquin will be a third-year starter for the Mustangs at the point and will be looked on to make things go.
"A.J. is heady and he knows what he has to do out on the floor. John Lothery (5-8, Jr) improved a lot over the summer. He has put in a lot of hard work especially on his defense."
Murphy looks to start at one forward along with Luka Pavlakis, the Mustangs' linebacker and backup quarterback in football season.
"Luka brings that leadership and energy that is contagious," said Katovich. "He's willing to do anything we ask him to do on the floor, just like he did on the football field. He is one of the nicest players I've coached, just like when his brother played a few years ago."
Others vying for playing time will be sophomore Jack Schoessling (5-6), who came up to the varsity late in the year. Matt Wojcik, a 5-8 junior, will get playing time as well. Katovich will look to Hank Holman (5-10) to add to the depth. Holman's overall game improved with summer play and Katovich considers him a good shooter.
"We're going to end up playing 10-11 players in our rotation," said Katovich. "I'm going to give players their chance to make an impact on the team. We have to be able rebound and to force more turnovers than we give up."
The Mustangs will begin play at Palatine, taking on Jacobs, Deerfield, and Tilden in pool play. Their final game of the tournament will be a crossover from the other pool. Rolling Meadows will return to York for Holiday tournament play in December.
WheelingCoach: Anthony Como
Last year: 10-16 (3-7 MSL East)
Top returning players: Patrick Szpir (6-8, Jr.), Alex Karras (6-1, Sr.), Ola Arogundade (6-2, Sr.), Jake Jordan (6-1, Sr.) Bobby Webber (6-1, Sr)
Key losses: Jeremy Stephani, Chris Pierro, Nate Laude, Josh Kim
Outlook: Last summer's storm that hit the Chicago area did extensive damage to the Wheeling field house. Luckily, the gym was spared damage. But it has created a practice problem that coach Anthony Como has had to deal with.
"Right now, our practices are at Forest View," said Como. "It's kind of tough going back and forth, but the players are dealing with it pretty well."
For the first time in three years, Como will not be entering all-area player Jeremy Stephani in the scorebook.
"It's hard to replace someone like Jeremy who did so much," said Como.
But the cupboard isn't all that bare.
The Wildcats return four players who had extended playing time, and another of the talented Arogundade brothers in 6-2 senior Ola who played late last season and had an impact. Toss in two of the juniors in Nick Janulis and Charlie Zettek who were good players, and Wheeling has a case to be a darkhorse in the Mid-Suburban East.
"Janulis (6-3) was our top sophomore player," said Como. "He's a competitor and has a very good all-around game. He doesn't shy away from contact. Zettek really excels in all phases of the game. He's a good shooter and can rebound."
Patrick Szpir, Alex Karras, Jake Jordan, Bobby Webber and Arogundade are going to be asked to carry the load early.
"Szpir learned a lot last year," said Como. "He came up to the varsity level and he learned what it takes to be a big man in the MSL. He went through some good and bad last year. His size can be a game-changer for us.
"Karras came off the bench for us last year. He's a good teammate and he's worked hard in the summer to be competitive. Webber is another third-year player and last season was kind of rough for him in spots. During the summer he turned his game up a notch. Jordan will be a swing man, alternating between forward and guard. He's a tireless worker and gets a lot of respect from his teammates for his work effort.
"Arogundade will be more comfortable this year. He respects his older brothers and now he knows it's his time. He wants to be the leader of the team. He's going to run the point, and each day in practice he's getting better and better."
What does Wheeling need to be to be a force this season.
"This is a team who now expects to win," said Como. "Their determination is showing in practice. We really have to emphasize one game at a time and not look ahead."
Wheeling will start its season in the Ridgewood Thanksgiving Round Robin, where the Wildcats will play Leyden, Lake View from Chicago, the host Rebels and then a crossover game in Saturday night's finale. And as always, Wheeling will be at home for the holidays in the Hardwood Classic.