Marmion ready for transition game
Marmion Cadets
Coach: Joe Currie (2nd year, 18-11)
Conference: Chicago Catholic Red
2014-15 record: 18-11
Top returning players: Matt Fletcher (Sr., 6-5, F/C), Jon Young (Sr., 6-1, G), Hunter Weber (Sr., 5-10, G), Mike Seraphin (Sr., 6-3, F), Myles Schoonover (Jr., 5-11, G), Josh Ruddy (Sr., 5-8, G)
Top newcomers: Mick Sullivan (So., 6-7, C), Jett Haas (Jr., 5-11, G), Sam Doroff (Jr., 6-0, G), Nick Sevenich (Jr., 5-10, G), Brandon Currie (Jr., 6-0, G), Sean Miller (Jr., 6-1, G), Matt Woodcock (Sr., 6-2, F)
Season outlook: After winning the Suburban Christian Conference championship last year, the Cadets have quite a challenge on their hands as they move to the Chicago Catholic. “It is a tough division but we are excited about the challenge and playing some of the teams,” Currie said. “Our conference will be very tough but we are excited about it and look forward to the challenge.” Currie begins his second season as the varsity head coach at his alma mater. His debut campaign went well led by seniors Jake Esp and Jordan Glasgow, the later an All-Area selection who left fifth all-time in scoring at Marmion with 1,097 points, averaging 14.7 points last year with 3.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 2.4 steals. Marmion's conference crown was its first since 1975. While those two leave big shoes to fill, Fletcher, Young and Weber all played key roles on last year's team and form a strong nucleus to build around. “We have good senior leadership and are looking to build on last year's success,” Currie said. Currie likes the team's depth and said the starting lineup is still to be determined. “Competition is high and we're trying to see who complements who,” Currie said. “We could have several different lineups.” The senior class will welcome Marmion's newcomers to varsity after the Cadets went 20-5 at the sophomore level a year ago. “We had a successful summer and the team is excited about the season,” Currie said. “The sophomore team brings a lot of talent. We are an up-tempo team and with our depth it will make practices very competitive. We just want to get better each week and be ready by playoffs.”
Montini
Coach: Daryl Thomas (first year).
Last year: 3-26, 0-6, fourth in the Suburban Christian Conference; lost to Aurora Central Catholic in a Class 3A IMSA regional quarterfinal.
Top players: Kevin Bodee, sr., F; Kevin Brachmann, sr., C; Ray Dennis, fr., G; Mychale Hyland, so., G; Jeffrey Jablonski, fr., F; Jack Westerkamp, sr., G; Jayston Williams, so., F.
Scouting report: A definite transition year, the Broncos move to the Chicago Catholic League North with a young group headed by a first-year head varsity coach. Former St. Joseph All-America and Indiana University star Thomas called it an “ideal situation” for him. (He'll face old mentor Gene Pingatore at St. Joseph on Feb. 5.) After banger Brachmann's 7-point, 6.8-rebound averages, Montini's next returning scorer is 2015 King of the Hill 3-point ace Westerkamp at 2.2 points. Much will be expected from this inside-outside duo. Thomas likes tough youngsters Dennis and Hyland; Jablonski goes 6-7 with good feet. Defense will be ahead of offense. Thomas likes up-tempo ball but will do whatever is required. “It's one of those things where we have a lot of pieces, we've just got to make sure they all fit in the puzzle,” he said.
St. Francis
Coach: Erin Dwyer.
Last year: 15-12, 3-3, third in the Suburban Christian Conference; lost to Glenbard South in a Class 3A IMSA regional quarterfinal.
Top players: Greg Bogdanski, jr., F; Nick Cooney, sr., F; Peter Fassnacht, sr., F; Gabe Johnson, sr., G-F; Nick Kurtyka, sr., G; Tim Lilly, sr., G-F; Will Purdom, sr., G; Will Rowan, sr., G-F; Michael Rueth, sr., G.
Scouting report: Succeeding retired hall of farmer Bob Ward, Dwyer leads the Spartans into the Chicago Catholic League North. His experience includes two seasons as coach at Glenbard North and assistant positions at Glenbard North and Hinsdale South. At St. Francis he's got another hardworking, senior-based roster that while not exceptionally tall can go at least 6-3 across the board. Leadership is a big plus with Fassnacht and Purdom around. Dwyer sees a team of defensive trappers with depth and quality shooters in Kurtyka, Rowan, Johnson and Lilly, a Villanova baseball commit who didn't play basketball last season. Johnson led last year's team in scoring at 13.6 points a game with 49 3-pointers. “We have an athletic team,” Dwyer said. “I think we can run around and do some stuff defensively.”