Scouting Maine West

Maine West WarriorsCoach: Tom Prokopij (2nd season)

Last year's record: 19-8, 9-1

Graduated players: Julian Dones, Corian Staten, Matt Kentgen, Darrington Bates, Milos Dugalic, Jack Collins

Returning players: Danny Rice (6-7 Sr.), Justin Scholler (5-10 Sr.), Nana Agyarko (5-8 Sr.), Danny Daood (6-3 Sr.), Ely Grimmer (6-3 Sr.) Anaan Siddiqui (6-1 Sr.), Ramiz Avdic (5-9 Sr.)

Newcomers: Isaih Csiem-Davis (6-1 Jr.), Lucas Glaister (6-1 Jr.), A.J. Ross (5-8 Jr.), Danny Kentgen (6-3 Jr.), Sean Collins (5-10 Jr.), Kentrell Johnson (5-10 Jr.), Jacob Riedl (6-0 Jr.) Jared Pearson (6-1 Soph)

Outlook: The defending Central Suburban North champion Warriors may be hard pressed to repeat this season. "I think Deerfield and Glenbrook North have to be considered the front-runners this season," said Warriors coach Tom Prokopij. "But, that's OK. We've been in a position being the chasers and this year will be no different." Still, it will be a tough task to fill the shoes of last year's team. "The sooner this group begins to fill their roles that will help us to accumulate the wins," said Prokopij. Danny Rice, Ely Grimmer, Danny Daood will present a formidable front line for Maine West. Grimmer and Rice played the most during last season as backups, and some starting roles. Daaood made his presence felt late in the season. Agyarko, Siddiqui. Avdic, will try to fill the shoes at guard. Prokopij has his eyes on promising sophomore Pearson, who is described as a physical player who made a name for himself during the summer. The group of juniors come off a solid season as sophomore and went 18-7 playing their best basketball toward the end of the season. "We don't have a lot of players who had that much playing time last season," said Prokopij. "But they learned a lot about leadership roles from last year's team and are ready for varsity basketball. We have some really nice talented juniors that should be able to contribute and make us successful. This group is very competitive from what I have seen so far in practice. A strong point for them is their attitude and what they bring it to practice." Maine West will be more of a road Warrior team. The Warriors have only 10 home games out of a potential 30 regular-season games. Maine West will play five Mid-Suburban East teams, participate in the Lake Zurich shootout in early February, and have nonconference games against Collins, Niles West, Downers Grove South and Ridgewood. The Warriors kick off next week at the always tough Palatine Thanksgiving Tournament and then head to Wheeling for the annual Hardwood Classic at Christmastime.