St. Charles North Stars

Coach Tom Poulin

Last year 22-9, 7-3, tied for third in the Upstate Eight Conference.

Postseason Won Class 4A DeKalb regional title. Lost 51-49 to Dundee-Crown in Class 4A Elgin sectional championship game

Key losses Jonathan DeMoss, Zach Hirsch, Mike Kastel, Nick Neari.

Top returnees Beau Blakeley (6-0, sr., G); Chris Conrad (6-1, jr., G); Scott Hedges (6-0, sr., G); David Johnson (5-11, sr., G); Josh Mikes (6-4, jr., F).

Newcomers to watch Sean Donlevy (6-5, jr., F); Kyle Nelson (6-7, so., F).

Outlook Not content to rehash the North Stars' best season in their brief history, fourth-year coach Poulin (55-45) said this group hungers to make its own statement. "I think we'll overachieve because of the imprint our seniors last year left on the program," Poulin said. It rubbed off on returning starter and college prospect Mikes (10.5 ppg, 5.5 rebounds, 64 percent field goal shooting) and lockdown defender Johnson (5.3 ppg, 33 3-pointers), sixth man last season. The savvy Conrad joins Johnson as an ace shooter, and guards will lead the way while inexperienced bigs Nelson and Donlevy adjust. In fact, who mans the point will be one of several roles to define as St. Charles North navigates its tough schedule. Despite the group's flexibility rebounding will play a key to their success. Their athleticism can bridge many initial gaps, and the North Stars will again hope to limit opponents to 38 percent field goal shooting. "Our strength will be in our depth and our strength will be in our unity," Poulin said. "People may think we lost an awful lot from last year, but we really gained a lot from last season as far as how to play the game."