Boys basketball: Scouting Christian Liberty
Christian Liberty
Coach: Jed Bennett (first year)
Last year: 11-15, 0-9 (last NAC)
Key losses: Daniel Jalandoon (G)
Returning players: Seniors Luke Comerouski (5-10, G, 17.6 ppg, 22 3s), Mike Hennek (6-2, G, 7.4 ppg), Ben Thomas (6-3, F, 9.5 ppg), Matt Litzenberger (5-10, G, 5.7 ppg), Michael Kathan (6-2, F), Mike Milkowski (5-8, G, 3.4 ppg), Kiefer Bennett (5-9, G).
Newcomers: Seniors Kyle Moriarty (5-9, G), Josiah McElroy (6-2, F); juniors David Colbert (6-1, G), Marcus Silva (6-0, G), J.D. Dulinsky (5-6, G), Jack Salsgiver (5-11, G); sophomore Aaron Cunningham (6-2, F).
Outlook: Bennett takes over after two years as an assistant at his alma mater to Ken Kramer, who resigned in the summer because of time constraints with his job and family. "It really has gone very smoothly," said Bennett, who is also the varsity head soccer and baseball coach. "I feel really good about this year." Especially with third-year varsity starter and scoring leader Comerouski, who may be even more dangerous with an improved jump shot. The addition of Moriarty, a transfer who becomes eligible Dec. 18, also figures to make a difference. "We needed another ballhandler," Bennett said. "It was really hard for us to think about taking Luke out of the game last year." Hennek can score inside and outside, Litzenberger is a good shooter and Colbert and Silva should help the up-tempo attack after leading the frosh-soph team in scoring. "We'll be a man-to-man team," Bennett said. "With our depth and athleticism at guard, the more pressure we put on the other guards, the less likely they'll be able to beat us with their bigs." Inside is where the Chargers will be missing a big piece as Thomas broke his thumb in seven places in football. Bennett hopes he'll be back in December or January to go with Kathan and another big football player in Cunningham. Christian Liberty will get tested immediately against bigger schools at the Buffalo Grove Thanksgiving Tournament in the hope it will pay off in Northeastern Athletic Conference play. "As some of these guys come back we'll keep getting better as the season goes on," Bennett said. "I'm really excited about these guys."