Boys basketball: Scouting Cook County
MSL East
Buffalo Grove
Coach: Kevin Geldon (2nd year)
Last season's record: 13-17 (4th, MSL East)
Top returners: Connor Woodin, Sr., G; Lucas Anam-Ndu, Sr., G; Justin Brosnahan, Sr., F; Ryan Stefani, Sr., G; Alan Karnauchavas Sr., G; Tyler Baker, Jr., G.
Key newcomers: Alex Sirbu, Fr., F; Maddix Watson Jr., G.
Worth noting: The Bison are looking to make a move this season in the East. Woodin, who was the MSL golf medalist, will be looking to shoot as well on the hardwood as he did on the fairways. Brosnahan will be back after missing most of last season with a leg injury. Anam-Ndu has drawn some D-3 interest. Keep an eye on 6-foot-5 freshman Sirbu, who could make a huge step forward this season. "We are looking to be competitive in the East," Gledon said. "And hoping to play our best basketball when the state series begins."
Elk Grove
Coach: Nick Oraham (6th season)
Last season's record: 8-23 (5th, MSL East)
Top returners: Amir Hussein, Sr., G; Devin Wildi, Sr., G; Matt Martorano, Sr., G; Lucas Rogers, Sr., F; Nate Govert, Sr., F.
Key newcomers: Nick Jimenez, Jr., G; Myles Schwartz, Jr., G/F; Daniel Pasterski, Jr., F.
Worth noting: Elk Grove is hoping to build on its three-game winning streak that the Grenadiers had before the state playoffs last season. Hussein's shooting was a large part of that success and Oraham is hoping that will continue this season. The Grens are also looking for strong play and leadership from Wildi and Mororano while Rogers and Covert bring the team sone size and grit. Jimenez, Schwartz and Pasterski give the Grens some youthful depth. "I think we have the opportunity to make it really difficult on teams this year," Oraham said. "A lot hinges on our health. We have a few kids still working their way back from football injuries. If we can create some hurried shots for opponents and take care of the basketball, we could surprise some teams."
Hersey
Coach: Dave Hess (1st year)
Last season's record: 19-13 (7-3, 2nd, MSL East)
Top returners: Jared Ryg, Sr., G; Jackson Hupp, Jr., F; Brody Variano, J., G; Ricky Divito, Jr., G.
Key newcomers: Justin Arrowood; Nick Ahlquist, Joey Brown; Bennett McNeill; Kyle Irwin; Charlie Pomis
Worth noting: Hess takes over this season as an interim head coach after being an assistant last year. Hess has four years prior experience as a head coach at Tuscola and Elgin. Ryg and Hupp should both make jumps this year. Ryg (9.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.4 apg) has an offer to play at St. Norbert College. Hupp (12.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg), who is 6-foot-7 and has been playing since his freshman year, continues to improve. Divito and Variano saw some time last season.
Prospect
Coach: Brad Rathe (3rd year)
Last season's record: 20-12 (7-3 MSL East)
Top returners: Ben Schneider, Sr., G; Drew Terpins, Sr., G; Frankie Poshnjari, Sr., F; Aiden Walter, Sr., F; Jerry Drucker, Sr., F; Shavez Rodgers, Sr, F; Brian Cantieri, Sr. F.
Key newcomers: Ryan Lifton, Jr., G; Jack Skoog, Jr; F; Anthony Mansour, Jr., F.
Worth noting: The Knights look to get to the next level after advancing to the sectional finals last season. Schneider (10 ppg, 39% on 3s) will be the key to Prospect's success. Terpins (4.3 ppg) will control the tempo while Chapman, (6 ppg, 5 rpg), who is 6-foot-3, has added 20 pounds for some inside strength. Poshniari (3 ppg), who is 6-3 and Walter, who also is 6-3, give the Knights some more size inside. Cantieri, Rodgers, Cantieri and Skoog, who are all 6-5, add to that inside strength. The Knights also welcome back former head coach John Camardella who will be an assistant after being away for two seasons. "Schneider is ready to take another big step this season," Rathe said. "He was good last year but has worked hard in the offseason and is ready to take the reins of this team this year."
Rolling Meadows
Coach: Kevin Katovich (22nd year)
Last season's record: 27-7 (10-0, MSL East)
Top returners: Ian Miletic, Jr, F
Key newcomers: Jack Duffer, Jr., G; Jaeden Warrener, Jr., G; Gavin Escobedo, Jr., G; Lazar Lazarovic, Jr., F; Kenan Pekovic, So., F; Ryan Meyer, Jr., G; Jake Martin, Jr., F; Patrick Coen, Jr., C; Lou Williams Jr., G
Worth noting: After six seasons, the post Christie era begins at Meadows. The Mustangs will lean hard on the 6-6 Milentic (7 ppg, 4 rpg), who has been a starter since his freshman year. Duffer, who played quite a bit last season, should also be a huge contributor. Meadows is loaded with size: Lazarocic, who is 6-5, Pekovic, who is 6-3 and Coen, who is 6-8. But all are untested along with Warrener, Escovedo, Meyer, Martin and Williams. "We are a very young team," Katovich said. "We should get better and better as the year progresses."
Wheeling
Coach: Tom Antosz (4th year)
Last season's record: 9-21 (5th, MSL East)
Top returners: Zach Zangara, Sr., G; Pawel Rackozy, Sr., F; Brent Collar, Jr., W; Zach Neukirch, Soph., G.
Key newcomers: Jason Glassberg, Sr., F; Yannick Gbekou, Jr. G; Peter Kulig, Soph., G.
Worth noting: Wheeling has just one starter returning from last season. Collar, who plays a wing and averaged three points and two rebounds, will be back and is expected to lead the team in scoring this year. But he isn't the only returnee with game experience. Zangura, who is a terrific athlete, was the team's sixth man last season and will be counted on heavily. So will Rackozy, who was the eighth man a year ago. Neukirch, a 6-2 guard, moved up to the varsity for the final five games last season as a freshman. "My expectation is for us to compete and grow daily," Antosz said. "This is an inexperienced group that will need to learn how to compete at the varsity level quickly."
MSL West
Barrington
Coach: Bryan Tucker (15th season)
Last season's record: 21-5 (3rd, MSL West)
Top returners: Alec Schmidts, Sr., F; Nick Peipert, Jr., G; Oliver Gray, Soph., G: Adam Baird, Jr., G; Connor Baird, Sr., F.
Key newcomers: Gus Edstrom, Jr., C; Connor Harris, Jr., F; Finn Karam, Jr.; G.
Worth noting: Barrington is coming off a 21-win season and a regional title. The Broncos may have a slow beginning to their season this year with their two main returnees Schmidts, who averaged 8 points last year, and Peipert, who came off the bench to average four points, involved in football. They still will have Gray, and both Adam and Connor Baird. Edstrom, who is 6-foot-4, will help give Barrington some of its traditional size inside. "We have a young and inexperienced team will have to grow up quickly in such a talented league," Tucker said. "This could be the deepest league in a long time for the MSL."
Conant
Coach: Matt Walsh (3rd season)
Last season's record: 14-14 (4th, MSL West)
Top returners: Camden Lathos, Sr., F; Yusuf Cisse, Sr., PG; Bradley Biedke, Jr., F; Austin Potocnic, Sr., F; Shreyas Talluri Sr., F; Isaiah Rhodes, Sr., F; Jocob Kulig, Sr., G; Caleb Williams, Sr., F; Nic Romano, Sr., F.
Key newcomers: Andreas Sassaris, Jr., G; Nathan Hahn, Jr., G.
Worth noting: This is the team both Conant and Walsh have waited for the past three years. The 6-foot-6 Lathos, the team's leading scorer the past two seasons, along with Potocnic, Cisse (who led the team in assists and steals) and Talluri are three-year varsity players. Add in the 6-6 Biedke, who started as sophomore last year, along with Rhodes, Kulig and Williams who all played last year. For good measure, the Cougars will have Sassaris, who is a 6-foot point guard, to help run the offense. "We are very excited for the upcoming season," Walsh said. "We will go from being a team without a senior on the roster to an experienced team full of seniors. We hope and expect that will serve us well."
Fremd
Coach: Bob Widlowski (23rd year)
Last season's record: 18-10 (2nd, MSL West)
Top returners: Ryan Cox, Sr., G; Sam Hirsch, Jr., G; Jordan Williams, Soph, F; Daniel Ko, Sr., F; James Moffett, Sr., G; Erik Stanson, Sr. F; Michael Barszczak, Sr, G.
Key newcomers: Ryan Brown, Jr. G; Rafa Pinto, Soph, G; Aditya Chandhok, Jr., G.
Worth noting: This will be the final season as head coach for Widlowski. His teams have finished over .500 in 21 of those seasons and have gone downstate once. This year's team could also make a nice deep run thanks to its senior leadership. The Vikes also have size at every position with the 6-4 Cox, the 6-3 Hirsch and the 6-4 Williams leading the way. That trio played significant minutes for the Vikings last year. Brown is a 6-3 guard while Kho, Pinto, Moffet and Stanson are all well over 6 feet.
Hoffman Estates
Coach: Peter McBride (3rd year)
Last season's record: 13-17 (6th MSL West)
Top returners: Nate Cleveland, Jr., G; Trendell Whiting, Sr., G; D'marion Dunn, Sr., G.
Key newcomers: Daiquan Daniels, Jr., G; Alwyn Asuncion, J., G; Torey Baskin, Jr. G; Chris Mobley, Soph., G.
Worth noting: Hoffman Estates will be leaning heavily on its backcourt. The Hawks will be fast and come at teams in waves with Cleveland (8 ppg, 3 apg and 3 rpg), Whiting (8 ppg, 3 rpg) and Dunn (3 ppg) coming at opponents hard. Daniels, Asuncion, Baskin and Mobley will give the Hawks depth at the guard spot. But with Cleveland the tallest in that group at 6-3, size and rebounding could be an issue. "We are a young, guard-heavy group who will improve with experience throughout the season," McBride said. "We hope to play a fast, selfless brand of basketball that highlights our players' strengths."
Palatine
Coach: Eric Millstone (16th year)
Last season's record: 25-7 (MSL champions)
Top returners: Connor May, Sr., W; Tommy Elter, Sr., G; Gibson Lindell Sr., Guard; Ian Dow, Sr. G.
Key newcomers: Jordan Mok, Sr., G; Carter Monroe, Jr., G; Kasey May, Jr., F; Tony Balanganayi, Soph., F; Andy Iliopoulos, Jr., G; Darrin Dick, Soph., G.
Worth noting: Palatine is coming off a magical season winning the MSL title. Connor May (18.1 ppg, 7 rpg), who is D-1 recruit, is fully healed from his football injury and is ready to help his team defend their title. Elter (5 ppg, 4.4 apg), who also was a key ingredient last season, returns along with Lindell and Dow. Mok, Monroe, Kasey May, Balangayi, Iliopolos and Dick should also be key additions. "We have a lot of new faces this year," Millstone said. "We know the team we'll be at the end of February is going to be way different from the team we are on day one. We're looking to get our new kids acclimated as quickly as possible."
Schaumburg
Coach: Jason Tucker (2nd year)
Last season's record: 10-20 (5th, MSL West)
Top returners: Jordan Tunis, Jr., G; Javonte McCoy, Jr., G; Tyler March, Jr., G; Clark Easley, Sr., C.
Key newcomers: Zion Young, Jr., C/F; Rey Black, Soph., G; Cam Anderson, Soph., G.
Worth noting: Schaumburg is looking for a complete turnaround this season as the Saxons hope to at least flip their record from last season. Tucker has a solid group in Tunis (13.5 ppg, 4 apg) who was all-conference and all-area as a sophomore last year. McCoy (9.5 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg) on the wing, along with 6-6 March (6 ppg, 4 rpg) and 6-7 Easley already had made up a formidable front. The Saxons then got Fenwick transfer 6-7 Zion Young to come aboard. He is the son of former Schaumburg star Tony Young. Black and Anderson, who are both sophomores, should add some depth. "Young is a huge piece added to the roster," Tucker said. "His ability to stretch the floor and finish at the basket will be huge for us. To me competing for conference and trying to flip last year's record would be huge in year two."
East Suburban Catholic
St. Viator
Coach: Michael O'Keeffe (4th year)
Last season's record: 15-19 (7-9, ESCC)
Top returners: Mitch Humphrey, Sr. G; Dayvion Ellis, Jr, G; Joey Hernandez, Jr. G; Ryan Jackson, Jr. G; Henry Marshall, Jr. G; Brandyn Michaels, Jr. G.
Key newcomers: Montay Washington, Sr., F; Josiah Calvin, Jr. G; Matthew Doland, Jr. G.
Worth noting: The Lions are looking to bounce back after playing a young team last season in the always difficult ESCC. Viator will have a nice mix of seniors and juniors in 6-foot-6 senior Humphrey, who will be Lions' lone big man. Viator will again be guard heavy this year with Ellis, Hernandez, Michaels, Marshall and Jackson all returning to the rotation. They will also be adding Washington and Calvin to that mix. "Our expectations are very high for this year's team," O'Keeffe said. "We have a young group, but we also have a lot of kids who gained valuable varsity experience last season."
Central Suburban South
Maine South
Coach: Colin Wehman (2nd year)
Last season's record: 12-17, 0-10, CSL South)
Top returners: Tyler Sierra, Jr., G; Panayiotis Sotos, Soph., G; Ethan De La Navarre, Sr., G.
Key newcomers: Matthew Yadgar, Sr., F; Zach Plate, Sr., G; Petar Bogicevic, Sr., F; Tommy Beredimas, Jr., G; Jack Sladky; Alex Matushevskiy, Soph., G.
Worth noting: The Hawks had a difficult time in the CSL South last year but were 12-7 in nonconference play. They will look to regain their footing behind De La Navarre, who is a 6-2 senior and a defensive specialist. Sierra led the team is assists last season. The Hawks have a plethora of newcomers this season including varsity senior returners Yadgar, Plate and Bogicevic, who is 6-4, along with underclassmen Beredimas and Matushevskiy. "We have enough guys to play deep into the bench," Wehman said. "We look to be increasingly competitive. But currently we are the only team in the CSL South with no collegiate players. We have limited size. We will make up for it by playing extremely hard."
Central Suburban North
Maine East
Coach: Sergio Muro (2nd year)
Last season's record: 15-15 (4-6)
Top returners: Tristan Walton, G, Sr., JJ Alphonse, G, Sr., Milo Mijatovic, Sr., G, Jalan Moraga, G, Sr; Jordan Landau, G, Sr., Ander Daniel, G, Sr.
Key newcomers: Tre Himes, G, Sr.; Brandon Schrieber, Soph., F.
Worth noting: Muro came in last season as a first-year coach and turned things around right away. The Blue Demons had their first season since the 2009-10 campaign where they finished at least .500. Both Walton and Alphonse started last season and should be great floor leaders for the team. Morgana, Landau and Daniel all saw time last season and should contribute. Maine West transfer Himes will bring strong shooting while Schreiber, who is a sophomore, will give them some size. "Our schedule is upgraded this season," Muro said. "I expect to be competitive. Take some bumps early on but we look to compete in every game."
Maine West
Coach: Don Paxson (2n season, 24th overall)
Last season's record: 6-24 (1-9)
Top returners: David Hutchinson, Sr., F; Jonathan Douris, Sr., G; Anthony Sanchez, Sr., G; David Diaz, Sr., G; Sam Marinho, Sr., F.
Key newcomers: Tommy Kulesza, Sr., G; Robert Young, Jr., G; Giuseppe Bruno, Jr., G; Julian Delao, Jr., F
Worth noting: Last season Maine West struggled with a youthful team and injuries. But the Warriors look to get back on track this season thanks to a quartet of seniors. Hutchinson, who is 6-5 and averaged 12 points last season, will be the major focus on offense for the Warriors. Douris, who is a 5-11 guard, and Marinho, who is a 6-4 forward, got a full season on the hardwood last year. Diaz missed most of last season with an injury while Sanchez missed the first half of last year. Juniors Kulesza, Young and Bruno should give the Warriors depth in the backcourt while Delao, who is 6-3, will add some height on the front. "Our team will be a bit undersized, but we will play hard," Paxson said. "We are looking for all of our current seniors to take a big step this season after showing grit and patience last season while also overcoming several injuries."
West Suburban Gold
Leyden
Coach: Bill Heisler (17th season)
Last season's record: 14-14 (4-8, WSC Gold)
Top returners: Drelyn Jones Sr., PG; Israel Rodriguez Sr., G; Mike Medious Sr., F; Noah Schmitt Sr., F; Szymon Wojtasik Sr., F
Key newcomers: Nick Gatusso Jr. G; Jack Tinajero Jr., G; Luis Regalado Jr., C; Isaiah Diblich, Jr., G; Sincere Johnson So, F
Worth noting: The Eagles will be looking to fly behind Jones, who has lots of upside. Leyden will play strong defense but has some holes to fill on the offensive side. They will also be looking to have Rodriguez and Mediois take on huge roles in their offense. "We will defend," Heisler said. "We have some strong motor guys that play hard, and I think this group will defend well. It will be a collective effort scoring and we hope that balance makes us tough to guard."
Northeastern Conference
Schaumburg Christian
Coach: Addison Calley (1st year)
Last season's record: 4-19 (0-7 NSC)
Top returners: Lucas Bustamante, Jr. G; John Nahhas, Sr. G
Key newcomers: Tanish Dundi, Soph. G; Irfan King, Sr., G
Worth noting: Bustamante, who is a shooting guard, will be a key component in the Conqueror offense. He was honorable mention all-conference last season and will be counted on for points and rebounds. Schaumburg Christian will have to wait for Nahhas, who is a rehabbing a knee injury. Dundi will handle the point guard chores while Khan is 6-3 and gives the Conquerors some size.