Boys basketball: Scouting Maine West

CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTHMaine WestCoach: John Bongiorno

Last year: 13-16 overall, 4-6 CSL North

Top returning players: Matt Acevedo (6-3, Sr., G), Julian Dunklin (6-0, Sr., G), Maciej Czerlonko (5-11, Jr., F)

Key losses: Anthony Dones, Jamal Sherman, Joel Ferraren

Outlook: Last season was a wild ride for veteran coach John Bongiorno in his first season at Maine West. The Warriors were competitive throughout the season in the Central Suburban North, endured a rough stretch around Wheeling's holiday tournament, then produced a fine finish that included taking top sectional seed Loyola to the wire before bowing out in overtime in a Class 4A regional final in Des Plaines. Most of the key players from last year's team have graduated, but senior guard Matt Acevedo is the exception. Bongiorno says he's within range of some of the school's 3-point shooting records and will be a help to a lineup with a lot of new faces. At this point, though, it's still tough to predict exactly who will be in the opening-day lineup. Acevedo is among four players who've been missing time with serious right-ankle sprains. When healthy, Acevedo gives his coach a proven varsity performer and, as quarterback from the football team, an athlete who's comfortable in a prominent leadership role. "He's a very complete player," Bongiorno said. "He can really shoot it, and he's got good size." Senior Julian Dunklin (6-0) and junior Maciej Czerlonko (5-11) are the only other returning letter-winners, and the Warriors are junior-heavy, with nine of them on the roster. The youngest player on the roster is likely to get significant playing time - freshman guard Julian Dones, the younger brother of one of last year's key seniors, Anthony Dones. Bongiorno was encouraged by what he saw from the new arrival in summer play and expects Julian Dones to challenge for the starting point guard spot. "He's only 5-7, but he can play," Bongiorno said. "He's one of those guys that plays older than his age." The Warriors will be challenged by a home tournament schedule over Thanksgiving which includes quality opposition from Libertyville, Maine South and Chicago King. Bongiorno intends to keep the focus on learning and development, especially through the early going. "The first month or so, we'll probably have some growing pains," he said. "The big thing with a team like this one is to keep it positive. We'll need some time, but we'll be fine."