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Scouting Maine West

CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTHMaine WestLast year: 5-24 overall, 1-9 CSL North

Outlook: It's a new era at Maine West, as Tom Prokopij succeeds John Bongiorno as the head coach. Last year was a struggle for the Warriors, and to say Prokopij and Maine West are hungry for better results would be an understatement. "We have a good nucleus of athletes that are starved for success," Prokopij said. "Learning to play together and to trust one another will allow us to have a successful season."

Familiarity with the program should allow for a relatively smooth coaching transition. Prokopij spent one year as a varsity assistant at Maine West before coaching the sophomore team the last two seasons. Prior to Maine West, Prokopij was a volunteer assistant at Palatine. He'll have plenty of familiarity with many of the varsity players, several of whom had meaningful varsity minutes last year.

Point guard Julian Dones has been a starter since his freshman year and brings way-above-average experience to the position entering his junior year. There are plenty of seniors who figured into last season's effort - and some size, too, as Stefan Balaban, Jon Beaver and Randy Kent are all forwards. Junior guard Jack Framke and junior forwards Jack Collins and Matt Kentgen also rejoin the effort after seeing plenty of varsity court time.

Many of the sophs under Prokopij's watch last year will have a role as well. The junior class includes guards Faraz Bashir, Darrington Bates, Milos Dugalic, Shivam Patel, Jake Sandoval, Corion State and Anthony Robles and forward Isaias Ochoa.

It might be logical to assume that Maine West has a rebuilding mindset after the previous year's challenges. But Prokopij's outlook lists teams goals as competing for a conference title and winning a regional title. His blueprint for basketball success is highlighted by some basketball basics. "We will have to be fundamentally sound offensively and minimize our turnovers," he said. "Committing to the defensive end will be critical to our success."

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