Scouting Leyden
LeydenCoach: Bill Heisler (13th season)
Last year's record: 12-14, 4th West Suburban Gold
Graduated players: Jake Fiala, Elkin Mejia, Saul Lozoya, Miguel Cooper
Returning players: Ocean Johnson (6-1, Sr., G), Kylar Britten (6-0, Sr, PG), DaQuan Harris (6-0, Sr, G), David Duwal (6-3, F, Sr.)
Newcomers: Justin Timmerhaus (F, Jr.), Noah Guadalupe (G, Jr), Brendan Fuller (F, Jr.), Luca Ferrantelli (G, Jr), Massimo Delogio (C, Jr).
Outlook: The Ocean is rising at Leyden. Ocean Johnson is one of the best unsung players in the state. But that shouldn't last long. "Ocean Johnson is one of the best players in the area/state," Leyden coach Bill Heisler said. "Please get out and see him if you get a chance." Heisler's plea is a solid one. Johnson has scored in buckets for the Eagles the past two seasons. As a sophomore, he averaged nearly 9 points per game. Last year as a junior, he more than doubled that to 18.9 points and added in 5.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists. Kyler Britten should also figure to be a huge piece as well. Britten has been the quarterback on the football team the last two years. He also has been a three-year basketball starter and has been a key cog in Leyden's hoops success. DaQuan Harris and David Dual, who returns form a broken arm last season, give the Eagles four returning starters with plenty of firepower and leadership. It should give them a solid opportunity to challenge for the West Suburban Gold title. "I really like our leadership," Heisler said. "Kyler and Ocean give us strong leadership and we are expecting them to have big senior seasons as this is their third year on the varsity. Daquan provides us competitive energy every day and David is a great leader and very consistent." Heisler will have a group of juniors in Justin Timmerhaus, Noah Guadalupe, Brendan Fuller, Luca Ferrantelli, and Massimo Delogio that will be counted on to make serious contributions. "Another key to our success is figuring out the roles of our new pieces," Heisler said. "They are finding their way fitting into a group with four returning starters. We are more athletic than we have been in the past, so having some of these new guys be able to stretch the floor by hitting jump shots will be a huge help and focus."