Scouting Maine West
CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTHMaine West WarriorsCoach: Tom Prokopij (1 yr. 17-11, 6-4 Central Suburban North)
Top returners: Julian Dones (5-8, Sr. G.), Matt Kentgen (6-5, Sr. F), Darrington Bates (5-8, Sr. G.), Milos Dugalic (6-5, Sr. G.) Jack Collins (6-4, Sr. C.), Shivan Patel (6-1, Sr. F.), Corian Staten (5-8, Sr. G).
Key varsity additions: Danny Rice (6-6, Jr. C.), Justin Scholler (5-9, Jr. G.), Nana Agyarko (5-9, Jr. G.), Danny Daood (6-2, Jr. F.)
Outlook: The Warriors were just a few points away from being conference champions in the Central Suburban North before their overtime loss at Deerfield late last season.
With height, experience and depth, Maine West looks to improve upon its 17-11 and 6-4 conference record for coach Tom Prokopij.
"We have good scorers, screeners and defenders," said Prokopij. "These players want to win and they understand their roles. In the early days of practice it's really been fun coaching this group. It's nice going into year two that we can build off the success we had last year."
Julian Dones returns for his fourth season at guard for the Warriors. Dones scored his 1,000th career point late last season for Maine West and averaged 13 ppg. At point guard will be Darrington Bates, who played a strong second half for Maine West and will be running the show. Milos Dugalic will also be at guard and play opposite of Dones.
Matt Kentgen, coming off a successful season on the Warriors football team at tight end, will be at forward along with Jack Collins, who will start at center.
"These starters have played together since junior Warrior ball," said Prokopij. "We need to stay focused on our goals and avoid distractions. The players seem to be taking ownership of what can happen."
Juniors such as Rice, Scholler, Agyarko, Grimmer, and Dagood showed improvement from winning one game as freshmen to 12 games as sophomores last season.
Prokopij will look to Patel, Grimmer and Staten to provide relief from the bench.
"The difference this year from last year for me is that their is more organization and preparation. We want the players to be put in a position to make things easier for them," said Prokopij.
The Warriors will take part in the Ed Molitor Thanksgiving Round Robin at Palatine next Monday during Thanksgiving week. Maine West will also play at what will be a high competitive Wheeling Hardwood Classic between Christmas and New Years.
Nonconference games include a a big match-up at Buffalo Grove Dec. 2 and with Collins from Chicago to go along with Downers Grove South.