Scouting: Burlington Central

Burlington Central Rockets

Coach: Brett Porto (7th year, 91-75)

Conference: Big Northern (East)

2014-15 record: 14-15 (10-4 BNC East )

Top returning players: Ryan Fitzgerald (Sr., 6-6, F), TaVontae Harris (Jr., 5-7, PG), Ethan Mayfield (Sr., 5-11, G), Luke McCurdy (Sr. 6-3, F), Joey Ratzek (Jr. 6-2, F), Zach Schutta (So., 6-1, G)

Top newcomers: Ryan Cilano (Jr., 6-0, G), Will Hough (So., 6-2, F), Michael Kalusa (So., 6-0, G), Vince O'Neal (So, 6-0, F), Caden Scott (So., 6-3, F), Emmanuel Wells (Jr., 5-8, G)

Season outlook: The Rockets are positioned to compete for a Big Northern East title in their last year in the league with six of last season's top eight scorers back in the fold. Senior Ryan Fitzgerald (6-6, 210 pounds) returns for his third varsity season. An All-Area pick as a junior, he averaged 11.7 points on 57-percent shooting and pulled down 6.7 rebounds. He forms a solid forward tandem with senior 6-3 senior Luke McCurdy, who last year averaged 6.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.7 blocked shots per game. Junior forward Joe Ratzek averaged 2.8 points as a sophomore. The frontcourt is young but talented. Sophomore Zach Schutta turned in an impressive varsity season as a freshman by averaging 8.5 points, thanks to 35.4-percent shooting from 3-point range (34 of 96). Junior TaVontae Harris made an impact after a midseason call-up. He averaged 7.9 points over Central's final 14 games, highlighted by a 22-point performance in a win over Marengo, which the Rocket won 73-71 via McCurdy's layup with 1.2 seconds left. The experienced leaders will guide an otherwise young team that has five sophomores on the 15-man roster. "We're going to lean on our experience early on with four starters back along with our second and third guys off the bench," Central coach Brett Porto said. "I think we have a chance to be pretty good. In my seven years it's probably the most unselfish group I've had and they love to play." Central hosts a Martin Luther King Tournament for the first time on Jan. 16 and 18. The field includes Elgin, South Elgin, McHenry, Marengo and Maine West.