Boys basketball: Scouting Palatine
By Marty Maciaszek
mmaciaszek@dailyherald.com
Palatine
Coach: Eric Millstone (fourth year, 23-57)
Last year: 9-18, 3-7 (5th MSL West)
Key losses: Peter Bony (G, 9.9 ppg, 18 3s), Egan Malley (G, 8.5 ppg, 27 3s), Jeremy Driggers (F, 3.8 ppg)
Returning players: Seniors John Millin (6-4, F, 9.9 ppg), Austin Marrison (6-1, G, 4.3 ppg), Kevin Knoeppel (6-2, F), Tom Hauert (6-3, F, 5.3 ppg), Julian Turner (6-3, F), Steven Boos (5-10, G), De’marius Bailey (6-1, F), Kyle Chisholm (6-0, G); junior Josh Baldus (6-5, F, 3.5 ppg)
Newcomers: Juniors Nick Refka (5-11, G), Kevin Riggs (6-0, G), Charlie Gimmler (6-1, G), Andy Macahon (5-11, G), Jeremy Velinski (6-0, G), Jordan Jarrett (5-10, G), Greg Grana (6-1, F); sophomore Jason Jablonski (6-4, F); freshman Roosevelt Smart (6-1, G)
Outlook: A solid crew of returnees looks to use the ups and downs of a 5-3 start and a five-game losing streak to finish last year to more consistency and success this year. “We’ve talked a lot about gaining experience and that if you learn from it, it could be a pretty good year,” Millstone said. “I’ve been really happy. We have seniors this year who are pretty talented, but more importantly provide leadership.” Leading the way on both fronts is Millin, who is prepared to take on an even larger role. Marrison handled the point last year but fractured his ankle this fall and is out until mid-December, so Boos and Chisholm will help fill that role. Millstone is also expecting more inside production from Hauert and Baldus with Turner providing some reserve minutes inside. Millstone hopes to have as many offensive threats as possible and one of them will be Smart, who moved to Palatine at the start of eighth grade, at a shooting guard. “He’ll get knocked around a little bit but he’ll be a good one when it’s all said and done,” Millstone said. “He’s surrounded by a good group of seniors so moving him up to varsity was a no-brainer because those kids are going to take care of him.” Millstone said he feels comfortable using 12 to 14 players and the key will be finding the right rotations. “We have to use our athleticism and toughness with whatever we do defensively,” Millstone said.