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Larkin positioned for success

Bartlett Hawks

Coach: Jim Wolfsmith (9 years, 145-94)

Conference: Upstate Eight (Valley)

2014-15 record: 20-11, 7-5

Top returning players: Brett Awalt (Sr., 6-6, F), Rashaun Hayes (Sr., 6-3, F), Robby Jimenez (Sr., 6-4, F), Ben Johnson (Sr., 6-2, F), Tyler Pauletti (Sr., 6-1, G), Ben Reyes (Sr., 5-6, G), Zach Stewart (Sr., 6-9, C), Alex Turner (Sr., 5-8, G)

Top newcomers: Drew Martin (Jr., 6-0, G), Dimitri Saltouros (Jr., 6-1, F), Sean Waite (Jr., 6-4, F)

Season outlook: With 10 seniors on the 13-player roster, these Hawks are built to win now. Bartlett is led by a trio of third-year varsity players: 6-5 forward Jason Hasenberg, 6-4 forward Robby Jimenez and 6-1 point guard Tyler Pauletti. They are the leading candidates to fill the scoring void left by the graduation of Ryan DiCanio, who averaged 16.9 points per game. Last year Hasenberg averaged 8.6 points while shooting 15 of 38 from 3-point range. He also grabbed 4.7 rebounds per outing. Jimenez averaged 8.1 points and Pauletti contributed 7.7 points, 3.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game for a Bartlett team that scored 59.2 ppg and allowed 55.3. Coach Jim Wolfsmith said this tallest team he has coached since the days of Kamil Janton and Cory Hrynyk. Big-time leaper and above-the-rim player Brett Awalt is a presence on the wing, and 6-9 center Zach Stewart can defend the basket. The Hawks can benefit from the return of hardworking senior forward Ben Johnson (6-2) and ultra-athletic 6-3 forward Rashaun Hayes. Senior guard Ben Reyes (5-6) can shoot the ball. He knocked down 15 of 36 attempts as a junior (41.7 percent) and should create driving lanes for Jimenez and Pauletti. “This is probably the deepest team I've coached,” Wolfsmith said. “We have 13 bodies and they all can play at the varsity level. Pauletti, Jimenez and Hasenberg were all secondary scorers to Ryan last year and now they have to move up into primary scoring roles. We can go 6-9, 6-5, 6-6, 6-4, 6-2 or go small with a bunch of guards and Jason or Robby at the five spot. I think we'll be a tough team to match up against.”

Batavia Bulldogs

Coach: Jim Nazos (4th year, 36-47; 16th overall, 214-199)

Conference: Upstate Eight River

2014-15 record: 15-15, 5-9

Top returning players: Canaan Coffey (Sr., 6-2, G), Kamontez Thomas (Sr., 5-9, G), Brett Bowman (Sr., 5-11, G/F), Carter Eberhardt (Sr., 6-0, G), John Fitch (Sr., 6-4, F), Michael Fee (Sr., 6-0 G/F), Tyler Tamplin (Sr., 5-10, G).

Top newcomers: Nick Valente (Jr., 6-3, F), Colin Cheaney (Jr., 6-2, F), Deveon Davis (Jr., 5-11, G)

Season outlook: With the Bulldogs' football season now complete, returning All-Area performer and team captain Coffey (14.4 ppg) and starting guard Thomas can turn their attention to the hardwood. Bowman, Fitch and Chaney were also on the football team, so Nazos has been pulling up sophomores to field 10 players for scrimmages in early team practices. Batavia lost size in the middle with the graduation of 6-foot-7 center Chasen Peez, but Nazos believes the team will benefit from the versatility of his front line players. The junior class will be providing key minutes off the bench. “It will take some time, but I'm cautiously optimistic. We have a good group of guys returning, especially in the backcourt, where Canaan is one of the area's best shooters,” Nazos said. “We're not as big as last year, but John, Michael and Brett are able to play inside and outside. Teams will be focusing on Canaan, but I think our scoring will be evenly distributed. If we play well, we can win a lot of games, but we will have to play well each and every night. I expect us to be competitive in a very competitive conference.”

Elgin Maroons

Coach: Mike Sitter (9th year, 117-105)

Conference: Upstate Eight (River)

2014-15 record: 6-24, 2-12

Top returning players: Lavion Baldwin (Sr., 6-2, P), Courtese Cooper (Jr., 6-7¾, P), Desmond Douglas (Sr., 5-8, W), Carlos Rodriguez (Sr., 6-3, P), Tim Wolf (Jr., 5-10, W), Jakub Zajac (Sr., 6-3, P)

Top newcomers: Titus Ahrens (Jr., 6-0, W), Reggie Cole (Jr., 5-11, W),

Season outlook: Elgin will be improved. The Maroons were a young team last year when they finished with 6 victories, the program's lowest win total since the 2002-03 season. A more experienced group returns, led by senior point guard Desmond Douglas, 6-7 junior post Courtese Cooper and junior wing Reggie Cole. Douglas is a high-effort, high-energy player who scored 8.8 points in 25 games. Driving to the rim allowed him to get to free throw line 150 times and sink 106 attempts (70.7 percent). His 4.2 assists per game ranks second-best among returning players. Cooper joined the varsity for the final 10 games of the year. He averaged 2 points but has since added a 3-point shot to his arsenal that has him on the radar of college coaches. He hauled down 5 rebounds and blocked 3.4 shots per game, the highest average in the area. Larkin's Christian Negron was second with 3.1 blocks per game. Cooper should help Elgin's defense reduce its area-high 65.4 points allowed. Coach Mike Sitter said junior Reggie Cole has been the team's best practice player through the first two weeks and will make an impact. Junior wing Tim Wolf led the sophomore team in scoring last year before his late-season varsity call-up. Titus Ahrens is a home-schooled student with a good shooting touch. Carlos Rodriguez is a team player who does the necessary dirty work: setting screens, getting rebounds, taking charges. An excellent student, Jacub Zajac had a productive summer on the court and has gained interest from some colleges that specialize in international relations, his area of interest, according to his coach. Zajac is expected to improve on last year's average of 4.7 ppg. Though he averaged 16.7 points per game in his second varsity season, senior Lavion Baldwin is likely to come off the bench to start the season, Sitter said. The Maroons join the West Chicago Thanksgiving Tournament for the first time and return to Marengo in December for the E.C. Nichols Holiday Tournament.

Geneva Vikings

Coach: Phil Ralston (8th year, 143-67; 16th overall, 251 169)

Conference: Upstate Eight River

2014-15 record: 30-5, 12-2

Top returning players: Bennett Fuzak (Sr., 6-7, F), Sean Chambers (Sr., 6-4, G).

Top newcomers: Matt Johnston (Jr., 6-3, G), Cole Navigato (Jr., 6-4, G), Dom Navigato (Jr., 6-5, F).

Season outlook: Already having to replace numerous key pieces from last season's Class 4A fourth place state squad, including Daily Herald All-Area honorary co-captain Nate Navigato (Toledo), the Vikings received the worst possible news when 6-foot-8 senior center Loudon Vollbrecht (10.8 points and 6.6 rebounds last season) suffered a torn ACL on Geneva's final play of the football season and will miss the entire basketball season. The Vikings will lean heavily on honorable mention All-Area forward Bennett Fuzak, the team's top returning 3-point shooter, along with guard Sean Chambers. Ralston expects solid contributions from a talented junior class that won the sophomore conference title last year. “While we lost a significant portion of scoring from last season, Bennett and Sean started games last season and played a significant role. We also bring in a strong core of juniors that could make this another successful season,” Ralston said. “The ability to buy into roles will be the key to future success — but this will be a very different team from last season.”

Glenbard East Rams

Coach: Scott Miller.

Last year: 13-16, 6-8, fifth in the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division; lost to Proviso West in a Class 4A Proviso West regional quarterfinal.

Top players: Kenny Adams, so., G; Anthony Ahmed, sr., F; Mike Finley, jr., F; Jack Grigat, sr., G; Terrance Lakes, sr., G; Carlos Meyers, sr., F; Patrick Peterkin, sr., F; Zach Walsh, sr., G; Darrell Wilson, sr., F.

Scouting report: The Rams return five players with at least two years of varsity experience and add Willowbrook transfer Meyers. They should challenge for the Valley title. Glenbard East has floorburn guys like Grigat and returning 3-point leader Walsh, athletes like 12.3-point scorer Peterkin and Wilson, and three-year starter Finley, who improved an already well-rounded game. Easing in Adams at point guard allows the hard-driving Lakes to work off the ball. Not overly tall beyond the 6-7 Peterkin but long, quick and able to go 10 deep. Transition should be a plus. Miller likes this experienced group's shooting and unselfishness, and looks for greater consistency. “I think this is probably the deepest team that we've had,” said Miller, who will host a Class 4A regional and is nine victories away from 300 for his 20-year career.

Larkin Royals

Coach: Deryn Carter (7th year, 87-81)

Conference: Upstate Eight (River)

2014-15 record: 20-9, 8-4

Top returning players: Keion Adams (Sr., 5-10, G), Peyton Griffin (Sr., 6-1, F), Keyvon Kyles (Sr., 5-9, G), AJ Hunter (Sr., 6-0, G), Trell Mardis (Sr., 5-10, G), Christian Negron (Jr., 6-6, F), Jack Wolff (Sr., 5-10, G)

Top newcomers: Tariq Burns (Jr. 6-4, F), Kashmir Ivy (Jr. 5-10, G), Jalen Shaw (So., 6-8, F), Kendrell Morris (So., 5-7 G)

Season outlook: Larkin is poised to make a run at its second Upstate Eight River crown in three seasons. The Royals are led by 6-6 junior Christian Negron, who last season averaged 12.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.1 blocks and 2.9 assists for a team that won its second straight regional title. Negron has offers from Illinois, Iowa, DePaul, Bradley and Virginia Tech. Larkin coach Deryn Carter said Negron has gotten stronger, more athletic and handles the ball better, yet he “still has gobs of potential that are untouched.” Carter also said Negron is better able to score facing the basket. “He's a focal point and we run a lot through him, but we have a lot of guys that can make plays and do things, which is exciting,” Carter said. One of those players is senior guard AJ Hunter, who as a junior averaged 8.6 points and 1.5 steals per game. Another is Keyvon Kyles, who averaged 6.3 points and was second on the team with 2.8 assists per game. They are joined in a talented backcourt by senior guards Keion Adams (2.9 ppg, 1.5 spg) and Trell Mardis (3.1 ppg). Senior Jack Wolff, junior Kashmir Ivy and sophomore Kindrell “Nomo” Morris round out the guard rotation. What do they all have in common? Every Larkin guard 6-feet-tall or less. That's fine with their coach, who values speed over height. “I would cautiously say this is the quickest team we've ever had on the perimeter,” Carter said. “We're trying to translate that to defense and cause lots and lots of chaos. We want to play faster on both ends of the floor this year. A lot of times we'll be able to play with four guards and we won't lose a thing defensively because Christian is out there to make plays at the rim. We have flexibility this year.” Part of that flexibility comes from the addition of 6-8 sophomore Jalen Shaw. He is raw and will be brought along slowly, as will 6-5 junior Tariq Burns, Carter said. The Royals continue their fearless scheduling, which includes a showcase date with East St. Louis, a game in Missouri against an elite prep school and the Proviso West Holiday Tournament.

St. Charles East Saints

Coach: Patrick Woods (5th year, 72-42; 13th overall, 169-189)

Conference: Upstate Eight River

2014-15 record: 24-4, 12-2

Top returning players: James McQuillan (Sr., 6-4, PG), Evan DiLeonardi (Sr., 6-2, G), Justin Hardy (So., 6-5, G/F), Zach Hondlik (Sr., 6-5, F), J.T. Ford (Sr., 6-4, F)

Top newcomers: Zach Mitchell (Jr., 6-1, G), Alec Champine (So., 6-1, G), Zach Robinson (So., 6-0, G)

Season outlook: The up-tempo, sharpshooting Saints hit 275 three-pointers last season en route to posting the second best record in school history. To duplicate that success, they will need to replace the production and floor leadership of Daily Herald All-Area Honorary Co-Captain Cole Gentry, who took his 18.3 points and 4.8 assists per game to South Dakota State. Woods is confident that McQuillan will keep the Saints on the move, along with returning honorable mention All-Area guard DiLeonardi. Hondlik and Hardy were also part of the Saints' rotation last year and are prepared to step into starting roles. The Saints figure to be battle tested with a tough nonconference slate that includes West Aurora, Benet, Glenbard West, Galesburg, St. Patrick and Waukegan. “We did lose a lot of guys, but we have some nice pieces to replace them. We're going to play fast and shoot a lot of three's. We shot 40 percent on 3s last year and you can't argue with that. It's definitely part of our offense, and we plan on doing the same thing this year,” Woods said. “I think our defense will be better than last season and our shooting will be just as good or better. We hope to be in the mix for the conference title.”

St. Charles North North Stars

Coach: Tom Poulin (10th year, 150-107)

Conference: Upstate Eight River

2014-15 record: 18-9, 11-3

Top returning players: Mikey Schroeder (Sr. 5-11 G), Griffin Hammer (Jr., 6-5 F), Armon Osborne (Sr., 5-10, G), Jake Spaniol (Sr., 6-1, G)

Top newcomers: Anthony Delisi (Jr., 6-1, G), Kyle King (So., 6-5, F/C), Zach Ludwig (So., 5-11, G)

Season outlook: The North Stars were right on the heels of Geneva and St. Charles East last season, but will have to replace All-Area performers Jack Callaghan (10.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and Jake Ludwig (16.4 ppg, 5.2 assists). They have a solid foundation with returning starters Griffin Hammer and Mikey Schroeder, who combined for 17 points per game last season, while Hammer averaged 8 rebounds. Armon Osborne and Anthony Delisi will provide strong play in the backcourt while Poulin called Spaniol the glue that keeps everyone together and brings intensity and passion onto the court. “It will be a process. We're challenging ourselves every day in practice and we have the right attitude and work ethic. We're ready to get out there and compete,” Poulin said. “I think we will be a more perimeter oriented offense — we have numerous players who can shoot the ball and score. Griffin can hold his own inside, and he is capable of getting out and running the floor. This is one of the better conferences out there, but it's always one of our goals to win conference and that doesn't change this year.”

South Elgin Storm Storm

Coach: Jim Cook (1st year)

Conference: Upstate Eight (Valley)

2014-15 record: 11-20, 5-9

Top returning players: Logan Atkins (Jr., 6-3, G), David Binion (So., 6-1, F), Tyler Hankins (Sr., 6-9, C), Justin Howard (Sr., 5-7, G), Anthony Lynch (So., 6-3 G/F), Julian Lynch (Sr., 6-2, F), Quinton McClundon (Sr., 6-3, F), Cameron Nylec (Sr., 6-4, F), Matt Smith (Sr., 6-0, G), Collin Uveges (Jr., 6-2, F), Damien Young (Sr., 6-0, G)

Top newcomers: CJ Bradford (Jr., 5-11, G)

Season outlook: Former Judson University coach Jim Cook takes over the program. The veteran says of his 12-man roster “every last one will contribute and get an opportunity to play within the system. The main thing is making sure we share the ball and that everyone contributes when they're out there.” The Storm return the bulk of their scoring from last season, including Central Michigan-bound seniors Matt Smith and Tyler Hankins. A 1,000-point scorer in three varsity seasons, Smith last year averaged 14.4 points and 3.2 assists in 27 games. He shot 28.3 percent from 3-point range (39 of 138). Hankins gives the Storm a rim defender. Last season he averaged 8.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and swatted 33 shots. He once again is joined in the low post by hardworking senior Julian Lynch, who last year scored 5.8 points and grabbed 4 rebounds per game. Julian's sophomore brother, Anthony Lynch, burst on the scene with a 9.8-point scoring average and is capable of more. Junior Logan Atkins returns for his third varsity season. As a sophomore he shot 24 of 85 from 3-point range (28.2 percent) and averaged 9.3 points. Three-point specialist Justin Howard must be tracked at all times. As a junior he hoisted 228 3-pointers and made 72 (31.6 percent). The Storm got solid contributions from its reserves: Damien Young (3.1 ppg), Quintin McClundon (2.7 ppg), David Binion (2.3 ppg) and Collin Uveges (2.1 ppg). “All the kids are doing a good job buying into the system,” Cook said. “It's going to take some time for it all to work, for us to play well at both ends of the court. But I'm looking forward to the challenge. That's what the game is all about.”

Streamwood Sabres

Coach: Paul Kowalyszyn (3rd year, 7-53)

Conference: Upstate Eight (River)

2014-15 record: 5-25, 2-12

Top returning players: Phillip Cruz (So., 6-3, F), Jaleel Jenkins (Sr., 6-2, G), Brendon Marton (So., 6-4, F), Jake McGlone (Sr., 6-2, G), Joey O'Halloran (Sr., 5-8, G)

Top newcomers: Malcolm Davis-Wilder (Jr., 5-7, G), Jason Manalansan (Jr., 5-9, G), Jesse Rico (Jr., 5-9, G)

Season outlook: After back-to-back seasons yielded 7 total wins, the Sabres are poised to return to a competitive level. The team returns its leading scorer, 6-5 forward Brendon Marton. As a freshman he averaged 9.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals. Senior guard Joey O'Halloran averaged 6.2 ppg last year, helped by 34.6-percent shooting from 3-point range (37 of 107). Jaleel Jenkins and Jake McGlone both return. Jenkins, a 6-2 guard, averaged 5.6 points 3.1 rebounds, while McGlone scored 4.3 points per game to go with 3 rebounds and 1.8 assists. Malcolm Davis-Wilder contributed 4 points per game in 4 appearances. Junior Phil Cruz played 5 games with the varsity late last season and used his 6-3 frame to average 4.3 rebounds. Is it enough for the Sabres to escape the lower tier of the Upstate Eight River? “We want to be consistently competitive this year and to increase our conference win total from last year,” Streamwood coach Paul Kowalyszyn said. “We have been working hard to build a cohesive unit and the players have been putting in the time to get there. What we lack in size we make up for in speed and quickness, which we will look to use to our advantage.”

West Aurora Blackhawks

Coach: Brian Johnson (1st year; 99-68 overall)

Conference: Upstate Eight Valley

2014-15 record: 22-9

Top returning player: Camron Donatlan (So., 6-2, G)

Top newcomers: DaVion Cross (Jr., 5-11, G), DaQuan Cross (Jr., 5-11, G), Travon Avery (Jr., 6-4, F), Caleb Siler (Jr., 6-3, F)

Season outlook: For the first time in 40 years, West Aurora will have someone besides Gordie Kerkman on the bench. Kerkman retired after 39 years as the Blackhawks' head coach with 805 wins. He nearly ended his Hall of Fame career with a trip to state; only a last-second loss to Bolingbrook in the supersectional with the Blackhawks missing their best player denied that. Johnson comes to West Aurora after seven years at Kaneland; before that he had experience as an assistant to Kerkman at West Aurora, which is making his new job easier. “The transition has gone well,” Johnson said. “It has helped that I've been at West in the past and when school started it felt as if I had never left. The boys that participated in preseason conditioning did an excellent job of showing commitment and a strong work ethic.” While the Blackhawks graduated Roland Griffin, Matt Dunn, Marquis Howard and Tommy Koth, Donatlan is back after starting as a freshman and averaging 8 points a game. “We did lose a lot of talent,” Johnson said. “I wish I knew exactly who will start, but at this point it is hard to tell. Camron is very talented and one of the top players in our area. I was very impressed with DaQuan Cross, Travon Avery and Caleb Siler after our official first day. They are strong, athletic, energetic and play very hard. All three of them have a knack for being around the ball and making things happen on the defensive end of the floor.” West Aurora's football team ended a 21-year playoff drought, and Johnson expects that success to carry over for some of his players. “DaVion Cross had a nice summer and I expect big things out of him this year,” Johnson said. “He had a great football season which should bring him a lot of confidence on the basketball court.”

West Chicago

Coach: Bill Recchia.

Last year: 7-18, 3-11, sixth in the Upstate Eight Conference River Division; lost to Downers Grove North in a Class 4A Downers Grove South regional quarterfinal.

Top players: Mikey Bibbs, sr., G; Tai Bibbs, jr., G; Alec Dolan, sr., F; Peter Dolan, sr., G; Jourdan Habecker, sr., F; Devonte Pascal, jr., F; Quinn Ricci, sr., G; Luke Seeman, so., G; Jacob Wiegele, sr., G.

Scouting report: West Chicago returns 92 percent of its scoring and eight of last season's top nine players. The Wildcats move back to the UEC Valley, a fourth conference or divisional change in as many years. Their experience should lend crunchtime confidence and the tempo Recchia is looking for on both ends of the court. All-UEC River guard Mikey Bibbs averaged 13.3 points, hitting 37 3s and getting inside for 65 free throws. Kid brother Tai Bibbs, point guard, averaged 9.4 points and enters the season with six college offers. Off-guard Peter Dolan is a glue guy, last year's leader in assists and steals. The 6-5 Ricci is a good wing shooter, not a true post, so 6-3 Pascal heads inside presence favoring strength over height. They all share the ball. “At one point last year we had four in double digits,” Recchia said.

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