Downers Grove South steps it up
Addison Trail
Coach: Brendan Lyons.
Last year: 15-12, 4-8, sixth in West Suburban Conference Gold Division; lost to Metea Valley in Class 4A Proviso West regional semifinals.
Top players: Eric Grygo, sr. F; Nick Conrad, sr., G; Ryan Zygowicz, sr., F; Zach Novak, sr., F; Jack Kalbas, jr., G; Colton Noel, jr., F; Michael Williams, jr., F; Stevan Jones, jr., F; Mike Tkaczyk, sr., F; Bobby Daniels, jr., F.
Scouting report: After graduating a large chunk of scoring, from where are the points going to come? The Blazers hope from everywhere. “This is a very flexible group,” Lyons said. “From game to game we might look completely different.” Grygo, a 6-foot-5 post, and Conrad, a point guard, each return more than 20 starts from a year ago. Grygo's rounded out his offensive game after averaging 6 points and 5 rebounds. Not only will he surprise with some 3-point shooting, he also can handle the ball. Conrad is a floor leader with skills at both ends. Kalbas made huge contributions as a sophomore while knocking down 28 3-pointers. The rotation could go 10 deep with Zygowicz, Novak, Noel and others capable of pitching in double-digit points on any given night. “This is a group that's set a very good tone so far,” Lyons said. Addison Trail
Coach: Brendan Lyons.
Last year: 15-12, 4-8, sixth in West Suburban Conference Gold Division; lost to Metea Valley in Class 4A Proviso West regional semifinals.
Top players: Eric Grygo, sr. F; Nick Conrad, sr., G; Ryan Zygowicz, sr., F; Zach Novak, sr., F; Jack Kalbas, jr., G; Colton Noel, jr., F; Michael Williams, jr., F; Stevan Jones, jr., F; Mike Tkaczyk, sr., F; Bobby Daniels, jr., F.
Scouting report: After graduating a large chunk of scoring, from where are the points going to come? The Blazers hope from everywhere. “This is a very flexible group,” Lyons said. “From game to game we might look completely different.” Grygo, a 6-foot-5 post, and Conrad, a point guard, each return more than 20 starts from a year ago. Grygo's rounded out his offensive game after averaging 6 points and 5 rebounds. Not only will he surprise with some 3-point shooting, he also can handle the ball. Conrad is a floor leader with skills at both ends. Kalbas made huge contributions as a sophomore while knocking down 28 3-pointers. The rotation could go 10 deep with Zygowicz, Novak, Noel and others capable of pitching in double-digit points on any given night. “This is a group that's set a very good tone so far,” Lyons said.
Downers Grove North
Coach: Jim Thomas.
Last year: 17-12, 2-10, seventh in West Suburban Conference Silver Division; lost to Hinsdale Central in Class 4A Downers South regional final.
Top players: Devin Blake, sr., F; Bowen Marks, sr., G; Matt Mahlke, sr., F; Jared Whitacre, sr., G; Bryan Jakobsze, jr., G; Anthony Castelvecchi, jr., G; Charlie Kaufmann, jr., F; Ryan Pustelnik, jr., G; Keenan Davis, so., G.
Scouting report: With three returning starters and a junior class that went 21-3 at the sophomore level, the Trojans plan on competing for the Silver title and beyond. “This will be the best group I've had here, but time will tell,” Thomas said. “We're optimistic about the potential we have.” Blake, who last season averaged 9 points and 7 boards, Marks and Mahlke have been up on varsity since sophomore year and combine with a stellar batch of juniors led by Jakobsze. With Castelvecchi ready to step up into the point guard role and Kauffman adding post help behind Mahlke, it's a deep group with all the pieces. The Trojans should especially dominate the boards with Blake, Jakobsze, Marks and Mahlke. “It's refreshing to have back-to-back strong classes like this,” Thomas said.
Downers Grove South
Coach: Kris Olson.
Last year: 5-24, 2-10, seventh in West Suburban Conference Gold Division; lost to Hinsdale South in Class 4A Downers South regional quarterfinals.
Top players: Denis Alibegovic, jr., G; T.J. Clifford, jr., F; Donovan Ferguson, sr., F; Tyree Spencer, jr., G; Sam Ebersold, sr., G; Khmari Greene, sr., G; Dylan Kaczmarek, jr., G; Jahleel Smith, sr., G; Jim Weiss, sr., F; Wes Davenport, sr., G.
Scouting report: Last season's growing pains will be a distant memory for a Mustangs team poised to leap in the Gold standings. Alibegovic, an elite shooter, and 6-foot-6 Clifford combined for nearly 20 points as sophomores while 6-7 Ferguson is a year stronger in the post. All three are attracting college attention. Throw in the addition of Spencer, a transfer point guard from St. Joseph, and Downers South is ready to take off. “We took our lumps last year with a young roster,” Olson said. “As tough as last year was, that experience should help us this season.” Ebersold, another point guard, Greene, a tremendous perimeter defender, and Smith bring back additional experience. “Our expectation is to be extremely competitive this season,” Olson said.
Glenbard West
Coach: Tim Hoder.
Last year: 12-16, 4-8, sixth in West Suburban Conference Silver Division; lost to Benet in Class 4A Glenbard West regional semifinals.
Top players: Justin Pierce, sr., F; Alex Passi, sr., G; Brian Cochrane, sr. F; Nick Diver, sr., G; Connor O'Shea, sr., F; Sam Noland, sr., G; Connor Mullins, jr., G; Chris Langan, jr., G; Alex Pihlstrom, jr., F; Michael Zybko, jr., F.
Scouting report: With Pierce, Passi and Cochrane all back for a third varsity season, the Hilltoppers are primed for a big season. Pierce, committed to William & Mary, is among the state's top seniors after last season averaging 16.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and knocking down 48 3-pointers. Passi added 11.6 points and 3.5 assists from the point and Cochrane brings back another 4.8 points a game. “It's exciting having all three back,” Hoder said. “It's been fun watching them get better every year.” Like many recent seasons, the impact of an extending playoff football run will be felt for a while. Up to six football players, including Cochrane, will need to work their way into basketball shape. Diver brings depth to the backcourt while O'Shea brings needed experience to the frontcourt.
Hinsdale Central
Coach: Nick Latorre.
Last year: 23-7, 8-4, second in West Suburban Conference Silver Division; lost to West Aurora in Class 4A East Aurora sectional final.
Top players: Peter Blust, sr., F; Drew Shepherd, sr., G; Brad Huth, sr., G; Chris Eck, jr., G; Michael Yaeger, jr., G; Jack Hoiberg, jr., G; Trevor Hamilton, so., G.
Scouting report: No starters return, with the biggest loss being the Division I frontcourt combination of Matt Rafferty (Furman) and George Kiernan (Navy). That being said, strength remains in the post with 6-foot-7 Blust, who will vault way beyond his 3.2 points and 3 rebounds from a year ago. Even with Blust's return, though, the team's focus will shift to the backcourt and the perimeter with a deep and talented batch of guards. “We're going to look different,” Latorre said. “We don't have the size we've had in the past so we'll be a little more guard oriented.” Shepherd and Huth return some experience but a bunch of newcomers will pitch in, including Hoiberg, the son of Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg, Hamilton, Eck and Yaeger. “As strong as we are with our guard play, we'll play a little faster this year,” Latorre said. “We'll get better as the season goes along.”
Hinsdale South
Coach: Brett Moore.
Last year: 15-15, 7-5, third in West Suburban Conference Gold Division; lost to Hinsdale Central in Class 4A Downers South regional semifinals.
Top players: Barret Benson, sr., C; Brian Kern, sr., G; Sean McCormack, sr., F; Martynas Matevicius, sr., G-F; Freddy Reetz, sr., G; D.J. Anderson, jr., G; Mike Stoltz, jr., G; Xavier Fobbs, sr., G; Zach Duffy, sr., G; Christian Lopez, jr., G.
Scouting report: Six-foot-10 Benson — a four-year starter committed to Northwestern — heads a group aiming to be one of the program's top teams in recent memory. Benson averaged 18.8 points and 10.4 rebounds on a junior-heavy team that flashed signs of greatness but lacked consistency. With nine seniors, compared to one last year, the Hornets will be stronger, more consistent and ready to challenge for multiple titles. “We've got a lot of experience and I'm looking forward to seeing where it takes us,” Moore said. Kern, a third-year starter, was an all-Gold selection after averaging 9.7 points and hitting 36 3-pointers. McCormack averaged 6 points and 5 rebounds. It's a well-rounded, deep group with the flexibility to go big around Benson or surround him with guards.
Willowbrook
Coach: Chris Perkins.
Last year: 21-8, 9-3, tied for first in West Suburban Conference Gold Division; lost to Downers North in Class 4A Downers North regional semifinals.
Top players: Kevin Miller, sr., G; Freddie Clay, jr., G; Billy Degnan, sr., G; Brandon Jones, sr., F; Ethan Schuemer, so., F; Matas Masys, fr., G; Matthew Myers, so., F; Neil Paxton, so., G.
Scouting report: The biggest off-season news for the Warriors was the transfer of leading scorer Alonzo Verge Jr. to a prep school in Florida. Regarded among the nation's top junior players, his loss will make it difficult for Willowbrook to build upon last year's first 20-win season and conference title since 1972. “He's not a talent you can replace easily,” Perkins said. “We'll have to do it collectively as a group.” It starts with Miller and Clay, the team's two returning starters. Miller averaged 6.9 points last year and hit 51 3-pointers, and Clay takes over at point guard. Miller, Degnan and Masys all have perimeter scoring potential, while Perkins believes 6-foot-4 Schuemer could end up being the team's leading scorer in the post. This group has the potential to be successful, but it'll take contributions from several youngsters: four sophomores and a freshman.
York
Coach: Vince Doran.
Last year: 18-13, 5-7, fifth in West Suburban Conference Silver Division; lost to West Aurora in Class 4A East Aurora sectional semifinals.
Top players: Ryan Camp, sr., G; Jack Morrissey, sr., G; Nick Trapani, jr., G; Erik Cohn, fr., G; Nick Kosich, fr., G; Angelo Martucci, so., G; Rich George, sr., G; Jack Julian, sr., G; Patrick Grabowski, sr., F.
Scouting report: Even with the graduation of leading scorer Jayvon Thomas, the Dukes' strength lies heavily in the backcourt. Expect a flurry of guard combinations to create matchup problems for opponents. “I think we'll be hard to guard,” Doran said. “We'll try to exploit mismatches out there. We'll have five guys on the court capable of scoring.” Camp, George and Julian each averaged between 4 and 7 points a game, but the backcourt depth extends to several others, including Morrissey and Trapani. The wild card, though, is the anticipated contributions from sophomore Martucci and a pair of freshmen in Cohn and Kosich. If they get up to varsity speed quickly, the Dukes will be in great shape. The big question, though, is how York will be able to defend inside. Six-foot-5 Grabowski is the Dukes' top post player.