Cook County boys basketball season preview

MSL East

Buffalo Grove

Coach: Kevin Geldon (3rd year)

Last season’s record: 15-15

Top returners: Alex Sirbu, Soph. (6-7, F/C); Tyler Baker, Sr. (5-10, G)

Key newcomers: Maddix Watson, Sr. (6-1, G); Petros Bolos, Sr. (6-0, G); Peyton Kosnoff, Sr. (6-0, G); Dylan Ronzcowski, Soph. (6-1, F); Edwin Karnauchovas, Fresh. (5-9, G)

Worth noting: The Bison are hoping to grow up in a hurry as they return just two starters. But Sirbu’s stature as an elite player grew by leaps and bounds as the sophomore had a very good summer. Sirbu, who averaged 7 points and 8 rebounds last year, will be looking for help from Baker and Watson. “We have a young and inexperienced team,” Geldon said. “They are hungry to prove they belong with seniors and younger players excited for opportunities. With only two returning players with varsity experience it could be rough to start but if players develop, we hope to be more and more competitive as the season moves towards IHSA playoff time. Sirbu should be able to take a step forward after his freshman season and increased role on the team.”

Elk Grove

Coach: Chris Rugg (1st year)

Last season’s record: 4-26

Top returners: Daryl Hunt, Sr. (5-10, G); Jayden Lorenz, Sr. (6-4, G); Dan Pasterski, Sr. (6-2, F); Cooper Casterton, Soph. (5-8, G); Myles Schwartz, Sr. (5-10, G); Dean Park, Sr. (6-0, F)

Key newcomers: Alex Ortloff, Sr. (6-7, F); Nolan Brand, Jr. (6-4, F); Brandon Adamowicz, Jr. (6-2, F); Matt Novak, Jr. (6-0, F); Karl Heitman, Jr. (6-0, F)

Worth noting: Rugg takes over a program that has struggled the past few seasons, especially in MSL East play. The Grenadiers do have a nice mix of experience along with some newcomers that can give Elk Grove the size inside on both ends of the court. “We are looking for continuous improvement as the players acclimate to my coaching and our style of play,” Rugg said. “Lorenz has had a strong fall. We look forward to him taking a leap forward this season. Hunt is one of the best athletes in the school and should flourish in our system and Brand has the potential to be our best player by the end of the season.”

Hersey

Coach: Bob Widlowski (1st year at Hersey. 24th overall)

Last season’s record: 16-15

Top returners: Jackson Hupp, Sr. (6-6, F); Charlie Pomis, Jr. (6-3, F); Logan Luxem, Jr. (6-2, PG); Brody Variano, Sr. (6-0, G); Nick Ahlquist, Sr. (6-4, F); Caden Shah, Sr. (5-9, G); Kyle Irwin, Jr. (6-2, G); Alex Larue, Sr. (6-2, F)

Key newcomers: Tristan Trotter, Soph. (6-3, F); Jake Nawrot, Soph. (6-2, F); Ethan Gries, Jr. (6-2, G); Mike Divito, Jr. (6-0, G); Ben Treutel, Jr. (6-0, G); Chris LeBlanc, Jr. (6-0, G); Gianni Kutrames, Jr. (6-1, F)

Worth noting: Widlowski heads over to Hersey after 23 successful years at Fremd. He inherits a team that could contend in the MSL East that is led by four-year varsity player Hupp. The Huskies also have a solid core of experienced players in Luxem, Variano, Ahlquist, Shah, Irwin and Larue. Trotter and Nawrot will give the Huskies some added firepower. “We have a nice combination of returning players along with newcomers,” Widlowski said. “I am really looking forward to getting started.” At press time, Hersey did not have Fremd on its schedule this season.

Prospect

Coach: Brad Rathe (4th year)

Last season’s record: 20-8

Top returners: Ben Schneider, Sr. (5-11, G); Ryan Lifton, Sr. (6-1, G); Jack Skoog, Sr. (6-3, F); Anthony Mansour, Sr. (6-3, F); Cayden Vaeth, Sr. (6-2, F); Jack Meilinger, Sr. (6-1, G); Luca Shaw, Sr. (5-8, G); Will Friar, Sr. (5-7, G)

Key newcomers: Danny Simon, Soph. (6-5, F); Colin Tucker, Jr. (6-1, PG); Anderson Neach, Jr. (6-2, G); Quinn Zinzer, Soph. (6-0, G)

Worth noting: Schneider, who missed most of last season with an injury, is back and ready to lead the Knights. The senior, who averaged 11 ppg as a sophomore, will be joined by Lifton, who was sixth man last year and averaged 6 ppg along with Skoog, who saw significant minutes last season. “We are going to be a much different team from last year,” Rathe said. “We set historic marks on the defensive end last year and outrebounded opponents by over 10 rebounds per game on average. This year we will play a more guard heavy lineup. We will be quick and have capable shooters all over the floor. Having Schneider and Lifton return from gaining experience the last couple of years and mixing in a really talented group of young kids should make for an interesting season. We might take some lumps early, but I am excited about the potential.”

Rolling Meadows

Coach: Kevin Katovich (23rd year)

Last season’s record: 22-10 (1st place MSL East)

Top returners: Ian Miletic, Sr. (6-7, F); Jack Duffer, Sr. (6-0, G); Jaeden Warrener, Sr. (6-1, G); Lazar Lazarevic, Sr. (6-6, F); Gavin Escobedo, Sr. (6-1, Sr); Ryan Meyer, Sr. (6-0, G); Patrick Coen, Sr. (6-8, F); Aaron Kossack, Sr. (6-1, G); Jonathan Tolomeo, Sr. (6-2, G); Kenan Pekovic, Jr. (6-4, F)

Key newcomers: Sean Kerr, Jr. (6-4, F); Tyler Stankewicz, Jr. (6-2, F); Marty Lesner, Jr. (6-3, F); Andrew Kretsel, Jr. (6-0, G)

Worth noting: Rolling Meadows may have the pieces in place as they look for their 5th consecutive MSL East title. They return five senior players that accounted for 48 points per game a year ago. They are led by Miletic, who averaged 19 points per game and recently signed to play at Marquette next year. Duffer, who averaged 12 points, Warrener and Lazarevic, who averaged 6 points and Escobedo, who averaged 5 points, also will be key contributors. “Our seniors have all put in a tremendous amount of time, hoping they all do well,” Katovich said. “We are looking to compete for the MSL East and hopefully make a run in the playoffs.”

Wheeling

Coach: Tom Antosz (5th year)

Last season’s record: 10-21

Top returners: Brent Collar, Sr.( 6-5, F); Zach Neukrich, Jr.(6-2 PG); Peter Kulig, (5-11, G)

Key newcomers: Tyler Zangara, Jr. (5-11, G); Chuy Zavala, Soph. (6-1, F)

Outlook: Wheeling should be improved with three key starters back. The Wildcats will be led by Collar, who has a number of D-III offers and who averaged 15 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Neukrich is a three-year varsity player and averaged 8 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists while Kulig was sixth man last season as a sophomore. The Wildcats will also try to hit opponents with some zz’s in Zangara and Zavala. “The expectation is to ‘stack days and stack weeks’”, Antosz said. “It is a slogan that we use to build our culture at Wheeling. We hope to take this slogan to heart and expect to be playing our best basketball at the end of the season.”

MSL West

Barrington

Coach: Bryan Tucker (16th year, 29th overall)

Last season’s record: 21-6 (MSL West co-champs)

Top returners: Nick Peipert, Sr. (6-2, G); Oliver Gray, Jr. (6-6, G); Adam Baird, Sr. (6-2, G); Gus Edstrom, Sr. (6-4, C); Connor Harris, Sr. (6-1, F); Bruce LeBlanc, Sr. (6-2, G); Wes Skinner, Sr. (6-3, F); Ian Tepas, Sr. (6-1, G)

Key newcomers: Danny Shackleton, Sr. (6-6, C); Chris Tacher, Sr. (6-3, G); Jake Meuer, Jr. (6-3, F); Cam Nichols, Jr. (6-0, G); Evan Shechtman, Jr. (6-0, G); Robbie Shomaker, Jr. (6-0, G); Ryan Yeh, Jr. (5-11, G); DJ Young, Jr. (6-2, F); Carter Schultz, Jr. (5-10, G)

Worth noting: Barrington returns a group of players that they hope will enable them to challenge for the MSL West title again. The Broncos will be led by Gray, who averaged 17 points last season. Peipert, who is as hard-nosed as they come, will lead the backcourt along with Baird. Both averaged 8 points per game last season. Barrington has great size, with just two players on their roster under 6-feet. “We are a young and inexperienced team that will have to grow up quickly in such a talented league,” Tucker said. “This could be the deepest league in a long time for the MSL.”

Conant

Coach: Greg Grana (1st year)

Last season’s record: 14-14

Top returners: Bradley Biedke, Sr. (6-6, F); Nate Hahn, Sr. (6-2, G)

Key newcomers: Rohan Patel, Sr. (6-2, G); Saahas Talluri, Sr. (6-1, G); Andreas Sassaris, Sr. (5-10, G); Harlum Drake, Sr. (5-10, G); Dylan Potocnic, Sr. (5-10, G); Jakub Glowacki, Soph. (6-0, G)

Worth noting: Grana, who was an assistant last season, takes over the reins for the Cougars. He will lean heavily on Biedke, who averaged 9.5 ppg on 60% shooting from the field. He also had 5.5 rebounds per game. Hahn started the last half of the season and will be a key factor on both ends of the court. The Cougars will need the rest of their seniors to acclimate to the court so Conant can be successful. “We want to approach each possession with full commitment, upholding respect for the game and our opponents,” Grana said. “We hope that all of our players have a positive experience. Expecting a lot out of our seniors even though many of them did not log many varsity minutes last season.”

Fremd

Coach: Mike Brown (1st season)

Last season’s record: 18-10

Top returners: Sam Hirsch, Sr. (6-4, G); Ryan Brown, Sr. (6-4, G); Aditya Chandhok, Sr. (5-11, G); Jordan Williams, Jr. (6-6, F); Rafael Pinto, Jr. (6-5, G)

Key newcomers: Tommy Moffett, Jr. (6-5, F); Chase Nelson, Jr. (5-11, G); Ricardo Requena Zambrano, Jr. (5-11, G); Charlie Chlan, Jr. (6-2, F); Alex Galaszka, Jr. (6-5, C); Sean O’Connor, Jr. (6-0, G); Anit Puri, Jr. (5-11, G); Grayson Gruchot, Jr. (6-4, F); Frank Evans, Jr. (6-1, F); Bennett Catherall, (5-10, G); Dylan Harvey, Jr. (6-3, F); James Nelson, Jr. (6-0, F)

Worth noting: Brown, who was a longtime sophomore head coach, takes over the varsity reins to become just the fourth head coach in school history. He not only takes over a talented varsity squad that returns three starters in Hirsch, Brown and Williams, but a pair of role players from last season in Chandhok and Pinto. These five give the Vikings a formidable group that will also count on a junior class that Brown is very familiar with. “We are looking forward to the season and coming together as a team,” Brown said. “We have a good group of kids who are hardworking and enjoy playing basketball together. The MSL is very tough as always, and we are getting prepared for our difficult schedule.”

Hoffman Estates

Coach: Peter McBride (4th year)

Last season’s record: 17-14

Top returners: Nate Cleveland, Sr. (6-3, G); Daiquan Daniels, Sr. (6-1, G); Torey Baskin, Jr. (6-1, G); Chris Mobley, Jr. (5-10, G)

Key newcomers: Joey Hernandez, Sr. (5-10, G); Ramon Rosario, Soph. (6-0, G)

Worth noting: Hoffman will be dangerous, especially for opponents that overlook the Hawks. Hoffman returns four starters from last season led by Cleveland, who is a three-year starter. Cleveland, who is committed to playing football at Minnesota and was the quarterback for the Hoffman football team, can do it all, averaging 8 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists last season. Daniels popped in 15 points per game last year while Daniels averaged 11 points and Mobley 4 points. Add in Hernandez, who played at St. Viator the last three seasons, and the Hawks have many weapons they can count on. “We are a guard-heavy squad that returns nearly 80% of our scoring from last season,” McBride said. “We are excited about the experience we return as well as some key additions that we believe will make an immediate impact. We hope to play at a fast pace on both ends and lean on our experience and guard play to battle in the highly competitive MSL West.”

Palatine

Coach: Eric Millstone (17th year)

Last season’s record: 28-10 (MSL Champions, 4th in state)

Top returners: Carter Monroe, Sr. (5-10, G); Tony Balanganayi, Jr. (6-4, F); Darrin Dick, Jr. (6-1, G); Kasey May, Sr. (6-3, F); Andy Iliopoulos, Sr. (5-11, G); Justin Ray, Sr. (5-9, G); Jack Houser, Sr. (5-10, G); Logan Arteaga, Sr. (6-5, F); Ethan Hunt, Sr. (5-10, G); John Gatsis, Sr. (6-1, F); Conrad Okulski, Sr. (6-1, F)

Key newcomers: Abram Williams, Jr. (6-4, G); Will Sanitago, Jr. (6-3, F); Brady May, Soph. (6-4, F); Evan Downer, Jr. (6-4, F); Kole Fager, Jr. (6-0, G); Robbie Wilcox, Jr. (6-0, G); James May, Jr. (5-11, G)

Worth noting: It was a magical year for Palatine last season with its fourth-place finish in the state. Now the Pirates are looking for lightning in a bottle. They return three starters in Monroe, who averaged 7 points, Balanganayi, who had an incredible second half of the season last year and averaged 8.1 points and 4.2 rebounds, and Dick, who is a dynamic three-point shooter and averaged 5.5 points. Kasey May was the sixth man and averaged 3.8 points while Iliiopolis gave Palatine some much-needed quality minutes. The Pirates will also welcome a group of juniors who were 23-4 as sophomores. “We got generational production and leadership from Connor May and Tommy Elter last year,” Millstone said. “We can’t expect to replace them, so we’re hoping that the guys who we have coming back go from being great followers last year to being great leaders this year. We don’t have a go-to guy right now, but I think collectively we can be a pretty efficient offensive team. It will be interesting to see who steps up on a game-to-game basis because we have some different skillsets that work well together.”

Schaumburg

Coach: Jason Tucker (3rd year, 14th overall)

Last season’s record: 16-15 (5th, MSL West)

Top returners: Jordan Tunis, Sr. (5-10, PG); Zion Young, Sr. (6-8, C); Javonte McCoy, Sr. (6-1, G); Cam Anderson, Sr. (6-5, F); Ray Black, Jr. (6-2, F)

Key newcomers: Tony Horton, Jr. (6-2, PG); Aiden Patterson, Jr. (6-2, G); Aaron Shogren, Soph. (6-3, F)

Worth noting: The Saxons feel this is the team that will get them back on track. And with Tunis, who averaged 15.2 ppg and 4.5 assists, along with Young, who had 10.2 ppg and 8.6 rebounds while shooting 43% from outside the arc plus McCoy, who had 8.1 points and 5.1 rebounds, Schaumburg could be on its way. Add in Anderson, who started the Saxons’ last 10 games, and Black, who started the last 12, Schaumburg has a tough starting lineup. The Saxons also have Bolingbrook transfer Horton, Patterson and Shogren. “Expectations is to improve from last year and hopefully compete in the MSL West every night,” Tucker said. “We're going one game at a time, but I do like what we return which is over 80% of our scoring and some great new guys. I think we can beat anyone in the West but also lose to anyone in the West.”

East Suburban Catholic

St. Viator

Coach: Michael O’Keeffe (5th year, 10th overall)

Last season’s record: 17-16

Top returners: Henry Marshall, Sr. (6-2, G); Brandyn Michaels, Sr. (6-1, G); Dayvion Ellis, Sr. (6-0, G); Jaylan Szlachetka, Sr. (6-0, F); Matthew Doland, Sr. (6-1, G); Dawson Charles, Soph. (6-2, F)

Key newcomers: Connor Hayes, Sr. (5-11, G); Ryan Kalaway, Sr. (6-6, F); Alessandro Andino, Jr. (5-11, G); Frankie Greenberg, Jr. (6-3, F); Sean Halpin, Jr. (6-1, G); Isaiah McKenny, Jr. (6-1, G); Jack Leonard, Soph. (6-0, G); Jacob Only, Fresh. (6-0, G); Landon Ray, Fresh. (6-3, G)

Worth noting: The Lions have a solid senior team that they will lean heavily on. Viator has a trio of three-year starters that should be the main cogs. Marshall averaged 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals per game. Michaels averaged 10 points and 3 rebounds while Ellis had 8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal per game. “Our expectations are very high for this year's team,” O’Keeffe said. “We have a really good mix of upperclassmen and underclassmen who are skilled, tough, and team-first players. Our kids play extremely hard, compete at a high level, and play an unselfish style of basketball on both ends of the floor. We should be one of the better defensive teams in the area due to our quickness, toughness, and basketball IQ. Rebounding will be key due to our lack of size.”

Central Suburban South

Maine South

Coach: Colin Wehman (3rd year)

Last season’s record: 13-18, 1-9, CSL South

Top returners: Tyler Sierra, Sr. (5-10, PG): Panayiotos Sotos, Jr. (6-2, G); Jack Sladky, Sr. (6-5, G); Tommy Beredimas, Sr. (6-3 G).

Key newcomers: Rico D'Alessandro, Jr. (6-4, F); Alex Matushevskiy, Jr. (6-5, F)

Worth noting: The Hawks have won just one game in the rugged CSL South in the last two seasons. Despite that, they feel they not only will improve on that but could contend for the conference title. They return a solid core in Sierra, who is a three-year starter and averaged 12.8 ppg, and Sotos, who is also a three-year starter and averaged 17.5 ppg. Sladky, who averaged 5 points, and Beredimas, who saw some time last year, also return. The Hawks also picked up a key transfer in D’Alessandro, who comes to Maine South from Whitney Young. Matushevskiy also will be a key contributor. “We are very excited for the season,” said Wehman, whose team defeated Glenbrook North to end the regular season and Evanston in the first round of the playoffs last year. “We should be improved and more competitive in the always tough Central Suburban League South.”

Central Suburban North

Maine East

Coach: Sergio Muro (3rd year)

Last season’s record: 14-15

Top returners: Brandon Schreiber, Jr. (6-3, G)

Key newcomers: Jayden Dozie, Fresh (5-10, G); Albert Cooper, Fresh (5-10, G); Kaiden Wade, Soph (6-0, F); Ali Usman, Sr. (6-0, F)

Worth noting: Maine East has been thriving the past two seasons, winning 29 games. That’s the most in a two-year span for the Blue Demons since Muro played there in 2007-2008. Maine East returns only Schreiber from last year’s squad. The Blue Demons will be young, starting a pair of freshmen in Dozie and Cooper and a sophomore In Wade. Usman is the only senior that will start. “We are young and inexperienced but filled with confident players,” Muro said. “We will compete and will be a fun young team to watch.”

Maine West

Coach: Don Paxson (3rd year, 21st overall)

Last season’s record: 5-24

Top returners: Baker Blevins, Soph. (5-10, PG); Tommy Kulesza, (6-2, G); Giuseppe Bruno, Sr. (5-9, G); Frankie Ferraiolo, Sr. (5-9, G); Josiah Henderson, Sr. (6-3, F); Robert Young, Sr. (6-0, G)

Key newcomers: Paul Doris, Jr. (5-9, G); Joe Fallon, Jr. (6-0, G/F); Nathan Fowler, Jr. (5-9, G); Price Macon, Jr. (6-, G); Max Makuch, Jr. (6-0, G); Adrian Palarz, Jr. (6-1, G); Martin Samp, Sr. (5-11, G); Change Steele, Jr. (5-9, G); Davion Tate, Soph. (5-9, G); Jakub Urban, Jr. (6-1, G)

Worth noting: It will be a young Maine West team that will compete this season. The Warriors will be looking to use their speed to create havoc on the court and force turnovers. “We do not have a ton of size or varsity experience, but we will be hard working,” Paxson said. “We hope to play with pace and play a brand of basketball where we share the ball, take care of the ball, and take great shots.”

West Suburban Gold

Leyden

Coach: Tyler Gilliam (1st year)

Last season’s record: 23-9 (4th, West Suburban Gold)

Top returners: Nicholas Gattuso, Sr. (5-11, G); Luis Regalado, Sr. (6-4, F); Isaiah Diblich, Sr. (5-11, PG)

Key newcomers: Abram Carrillo, Sr. (6-2, F); Ernesto Sanchez, Jr. (6-3, G/F); Mohamed El-Hindi, Jr. (5-10, G)

Worth noting: Gilliam, who was a varsity assistant coach at Leyden for the past four seasons, takes over an Eagles program that is flying high. Leyden had its most wins since 1994, and the feeling is they can surpass that this season. Gattuso, who is a shooting guard, is the lone returning starter. He averaged 10 points, 2.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1 steal last year. Regalado, who averaged 4 points and 3.5 rebounds, along with Diblich also return. Carillo, Sanchez and El-Hindi will be solid additions. “This is a team with great depth and will be expecting major contributions from both seniors and juniors,” Gilliam said. “Consistent defense and rebounding will be the deciding factor in reaching our team goals for this season to contend for the conference title and win a regional championship.”

Northeastern Conference

Schaumburg Christian

Coach: Michael Orris (1st year)

Last season’s record: 7-14

Top returners: Lucas Bustamante, Sr. (5-10, G); Cooper Smith, Soph. (5-6, G); Amari Morris, Sr. (6-0, G); Nathan Peterson, Jr. (6-1, F); Nick Hernandez, Sr. (5-9, G); Tanish Dundi, Jr. (5-9, PG)

Key newcomers: Elliot Foy, Sr. (6-2, F); Tanmay Dundi, Fresh. (5-8, PG); Joshua Caprariu, Soph (6-1, F); Genadi Stoykov, Soph. (6-0, 160); Colin Lowrey, Soph. (5-8, F); Alex Tatum, Soph (5-8, G); Sam Williams, Fresh. (5-10, PG)

Worth noting: Bustamante, who is a three-year starter for the Conquerors, along with Timothy Christian transfer Foy, will be the main go-to guys for Orris, who is making his head coaching debut. Schaumburg Christian is young and inexperienced, so they will be looking for others to step up. “More than anything I want our guys to compete and play hard,” Orris said. “That is the biggest expectation. To go out there and implement everything that we have worked so hard to build and progress upon.”