Scouting Hersey boys basketball

Hersey

Coach: Steve Messer (fourth year, 45-42; 13th year overall, 185-165)

Last year: 16-13, 7-3 (third in MSL East)

Key losses: Kyle Miklasz (all-area F, 13.3 ppg, 57 3s, Illinois State), Brian Fabrizius (6.4 ppg), Jordan Mertes (9.6 ppg)

Returnees: Seniors Connor Miklasz (5-10, G, 7.2 ppg, 31 3s), Tom Sutrinaitis (6-5, C, 8.8 ppg); juniors Trevor Haas (6-0, G), Justin Jobski (6-2, F, 6.4 ppg), Vuk Vukovic (6-1, F, 4.9 ppg)

Newcomers: Juniors Stefan Vucicevic (6-4, F), Joey Mailloux (6-3, F), Kevin Kozil (6-0, G), Sean Reszotko (6-0, G), Jared Martin (6-0, G), Frank Kalble (5-10, G), Joe Perkins (5-10), G), Nolen Irelan (5-9, G), Chase Monckton (5-9, G), Shadrack D'Orleans (6-0, F)

Outlook: Hersey chases its first East title since 2005-06 and hopes six returnees with significant experience will change a trend during Messer's tenure. "We've been able to get there and by tournament-time we're playing at a higher level," Messer said. "The challenge is to start playing at that level earlier." Connor Miklasz returns to run the point but will get some help from Haas. "Connor is a very natural point guard," Messer said, "but if we can get him the ball on the wing he's a good scorer, too." Sutrinaitis is a strong inside presence who can score away from the basket and Vukovic and Reszotko can also post up guards or pull big men away from the basket. Jobski and Vucicevic, who saw some postseason action, are threats inside and Kozil adds to a deep and versatile group. "We do a great job of sharing the basketball but we have to take care of the basketball," Messer said. "If we do a good job of that we'll be tough to defend."