Fox Valley Conference

Fox Division

Crystal Lake Central

Coach: Rich Czeslawski (10th season)

Last season’s record: 8-19 overall, 3-9 FVC Fox

Top new players: Adam Wittenberg, jr., 6-1; Adam Pump, jr., 5-11, Court Violett, jr., 6-4; Kyle Knoeppel, jr., 5-6; Quintin Ellman, jr., 6-1; Collin Freund, so., 5-6; Jake Staples, so., 6-0; Colton Havilland, so., 6-0; Alex Timmerman, fr., 6-5

Worth noting: A hint at how young the Tigers is there are no key returning players listed in this capsule. … “I don’t want to say we’re young, but we have had to start scheduling nap time and snack times into practices,” Czeslawski said. … Six juniors, three sophmores and a freshman will make up the core of the team.

Grayslake Central

Coach: Kosta Kougias (second season)

Last season’s record: 14-14 overall, 7-5 FVC Fox

Top returning players: Sam Ruhlmann, sr., G, 6-3; Jack Beckman, sr., F, 6-7; David Kienzie, sr., F, 6-4; DeJon Goodman, jr., G, 5-10

Top new players: Justin Shepley, jr., G, 6-0; Billy Drevline, jr., G, 5-10; Zachary Cashmore, jr., F, 6-6

Worth noting: Ruhlmann is a third-year starter and one of the best players in the conference. … The Rams hope to compete for the Fox Division championship.

Grayslake North

Coach: Todd Grunloh (10th season)

Last season’s record: 16-10 overall, 9-3 FVC Fox

Top returning players: Aidan Einloth, sr., F; Tyler Elias, sr., G; Joe Geary, sr., G; Kemonti Glover, sr., G; Bobby Krebs, sr., G; Connor Sinclair, sr., F

Top new players: James Connolly, so., F; Jamal Thomas, jr., G

Worth noting: Einloth averaged 16.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists a game last season, is a fourth-year varsity player and can play any position. … Krebs averaged nine points a game for the Knights, who have good depth in the backcourt with Connolly and Thomas coming in. … North should be a contender for the FVC Fox title.

Hampshire

Coach: Ben Whitehouse (first season)

Last season’s record: 17-12, 4-8 FVC Fox

Top returning players: Luke Tuttle, sr., G, 6-6; Dan Duchaj, sr., F, 6-6; Brennen Woods, jr., G, 6-4

Top new players: Xavier Bennett, sr., G, 5-9; Deion Garcia, sr., G, 6-0; Nathan Gomez, jr., C, 6-6

Worth noting: The Whip-Purs’ top returning players (Tuttle, Duchaj and Woods) made big contributions last year. Woods is one of the FVC’s top all-around talents and a third-year varsity player. … Hampshire finished down in the division standings but won a Class 3A regional title. … Whitehouse was a longtime assistant under former head coach Bob Barnett, an Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Famer who retired after last season. … Woods averaged 11.0 points a game and hit 40 3-pointers last season.

Prairie Ridge

Coach: Corky Card (15th season)

Last season's record: 16-13 overall, 10-2 FVC Fox (division champion)

Top returning players: Payton Otto, sr., G, 6-0; Logan Card, sr., G, 5-11; Christopher Bradshaw, sr., F, 6-5; Brian Dorn, jr., G,  6-1; Cory Lamb, F, sr., 6-1; Andrew Eschweiler, sr., C, 6-7; Dylan Stenzel, sr., G, 6-1, Kyle Stenzel, sr., G, 6-0; Max DeLage, sr., G, 5-10; Dustin Jones, sr., G, 5-10; Tyler Loeding, sr., F, 6-0; Eric Paulsen sr., G, 6-1

Top new players: Kyle Loeding, jr., F 6-3; Trevor Potter, jr., G, 5-10; James Queen, jr., G 6-0; Matt Hoyland, jr., F, 6-0

Worth noting: Card is the dean of coaches, not only for the FVC, but for the area, in his 15th season after Bob Barnett retired at Hampshire. … The Wolves hit their stride in the second half of the 2014-15 season and won the FVC Fox Division by one game over Grayslake North. … The Wolves will miss the rebounding of 6-4 players Jack Berg and Joey Kinowski, who graduated. … “We are very deep and have a lot of players who can shoot, drive, and pass the ball,” Card said. “We should be fun to watch if we move the ball and pressure the other team without fouling.”

Woodstock

Coach: Al Baker (eighth season)

Last season’s record: 16-10 overall, 7-5 FVC Fox

Top returning players: Nick Kubiak, sr., C, 6-8; Vannis Smith, sr., G, 6-3; Zach Cullum, sr., G-F, 6-3; Dan Shook, sr., G, 6-2; Sam Wright, sr., G, 5-11; Wyatt Walkington, sr., G, 5-8

Top new players: Matt Shook, jr., G, 6-1; Josh Turner, jr., G-F, 6-2; Blake Brainard, jr., F, 6-2

Worth noting: Kubiak suffered a torn ACL in the offseason and continues rehabilitating that leg. Baker said his return date is indefinite, but the Blue Streaks expect him back at some point. … Dan Shook, Smith and Cullum started last season and should help the Streaks be competitive again. … Kubiak (9.9), Cullum (8.8) and Smith (8.6) are the leading returning scorers from last season. Cullum hit 31 3s, and Smith had 30.

Woodstock North

Coach: Steve Ryan (sixth season)

Last season’s record: 5-20, 2-10 FVC Fox

Top returning players: Marshall Coalson, sr., F, 6-3; Conor Lawrence, sr., F, 6-3; Will DeVore jr., F, 6-2; Collin Mergl, so., F, 6-4; Caleb Labude, sr., G, 5-8; Vic Ortiz, jr., G, 5-11

Top new players: Ethan McClurg, jr., G, 6-3; Brandon Langreck, jr., G, 5-10; Jobany Carbajal, jr., G, 6-0; Colin Ritter, jr., G, 5-10; Ryan Medina, jr., C, 6-3; Dalton Butts, sr., F, 5-10

Worth noting: The Thunder lost career scoring leader Josh Jandron, the only member of the school’s 1,000-point club, to graduation. … Mergl averaged 9.9 points a game as a freshman and eventually could join Jandron with more than 1,000 career points. … Ryan feels his players put in good offseason work and hopes North can be a team that surprises people.

Fox Valley Conference Valley Division

Cary-Grove

Coach: Ralph Schuetzle (12th season)

Last season’s record: 16-12 overall, 5-5 FVC Valley

Top returning players: Danny Schmidt, sr., F, 6-3; Adam Loch, sr., G, 5-11; Quinn Celske, sr., G, 5-11

Top new players: Danny Clarke, jr., F, 6-2; Zach Beagureau, jr., G, 6-0

Worth noting: Three-year starter Jason Gregoire was the school’s career scoring leader with 1,138 points and led the Trojans last season at 15.6 points a game. He graduated and is playing at NCAA Division III power Illinois Wesleyan. … Schmidt (3.8) and Loch (3.7) are the leading returning scorers and will be looked at to take on larger scoring roles this season.

Crystal Lake South

Coach: Matt LePage (fourth season)

Last season’s record: 18-11 overall, 6-4 FVC Valley

Top returning players: Zach Geske, sr., G, 6-2; Wes Buckner, sr., C, 6-5; Josh Friesen, sr., C, 6-9; Tim Siesennop, sr., G, 5-11; Drew Murtaugh, sr., F, 6-3; Tyler Carlson, sr., G, 5-9

Top new players: Luke Nolan, jr., F, 6-4; Matt Meyers, jr., G, 6-2; Noah Wilde, sr., F, 6-5

Worth noting: Geske is one of the area’s top guards after averaging 14.5 points a game and hitting 62 3s last season. … Friesen and Buckner started at different times and give the Gators good size inside. … Wilde has fought through injuries in his high school career, but he is adept with outside shooting. … Meyers likely will take over as point guard, while Nolan adds to the Gators’ size and athleticism.

Dundee-Crown

Coach: Lance Huber (13th season)

Last year’s record: 8-19 overall, 2-8 FVC Valley

Top returning players: Nick Shydlowski, sr., G, 5-8; Jack Orndahl, so., G, 5-10; Matt Wiechmann, sr., C, 6-3; James Minter, sr., G, 5-10; Holden Carlson, sr., F, 6-2; Piortr Agacki, sr., C, 6-7; Russell Bergeron, sr., C, 6-3; Dan Dickson, sr., F, 6-3

Top new players: Sean Jay, jr., G, 5-6; Brandon Barber, so., G, 5-8; Gabe Bergeron, so., C, 6-6

Worth noting: Forward Kiwaun Seals averaged 16.4 points a game last season but graduated along with guards Sam Buckley and Caleb Parson. … Shydlowski and Orndahl started and have significant varsity experience. Orndahl hit 27 3s last season. … Huber’s 13-year tenure with the Chargers is the second-longest among area coaches, behind only Prairie Ridge’s Corky Card.

Huntley

Coach: Will Benson (second season)

Last season’s record: 12-19 overall, 4-6 FVC Valley

Top returning players: Jadrian Flores, so., G, 6-1; Makomborero Tizora, sr., F, 6-3; Danny Spoeth, sr., G, 6-0

Top new players: Kyle Nwogu, sr., F, 6-3; Olalere Oladipo, jr., F, 6-4; Michael Parks, jr., G, 6-0

Worth noting: The Red Raiders lost a lot of their scoring punch with graduated players Connor Boesch and D.J. Cruz, as well as junior Alec Coss, who did not come out for basketball. … Flores, who had 30 3s, played well at point guard as a freshman and will be a player to build around. … Tizora gives the Raiders some size and moves well. … “We need to figure out how everything is going to fit together and continue to improve throughout the season,” Benson said.

Jacobs

Coach: Jimmy Roberts (third season)

Last season’s record: 22-6 overall, 10-0 FVC Valley

Top returning players: Cameron Krutwig, jr., C, 6-9; Kyle Ross, sr., G, 6-2, Tim Randl, sr., F, 6-2; Mason Materna, jr., F, 6-4

Top new players: Ryan Phillips, so., G, 6-3; Nick Balkcom, so., G, 6-2; Joey Price, fr., F, 6-6; Cooper Schwartz, jr., G, 6-1; Adam Kale, jr., G, 5-10, Brian Rechsteiner, jr., F, 6-3

Worth noting: Jacobs lost five of its top six players from a team that went unbeaten in division games, led by three-year point guard and 1,000-point scorer Chrishawn Orange. … The Golden Eagles get Krutwig back for a third varsity season. The 275-pound left-hander has some NCAA Division I offers and likely will get more. He averaged a double-double last season and is tough to stop in the post. … Ross got some good minutes as a reserve and can shoot the 3. … Price (6-6, 295) is another skilled inside player who will help.

McHenry

Coach: Tim Paddock (11th season)

Last season’s record: 6-23 overall, 3-7 FVC Valley

Top returning players: Nick Bellich, sr., G, 5-11; Matt Mohr, jr., F, 6-5; DeShawn Wilson, sr., G, 6-2

Top new players: Gavin Markgraff, so., F, 6-3; Colton Klein, jr., G, 6-3

Worth noting: Bellich averaged 10.9 points and hit 43 3s last season for the Warriors, who struggled but who have several important players returning. … Matt Mohr (7.7 ppg.) and Wilson were starters and bring back some size and experience. … Paddock feels his team could be highly competitive with the varsity experience gained last season.

Big Northern Conference

East Division

Harvard

Coach: Donnie Nolen (fourth season)

Last season’s record: 5-24 overall, 0-14 BNC East

Top returning starters: Austin Edwards, sr., G, 5-10; Tyler Perkins, sr., F, 6-1; Caleb Overlee, sr., C, 6-4; Todd Lehman, sr., F, 6-1

Top new players: Eric McDowell, jr. G, 5-9; Roy Amaya Jr., jr., F, 6-0; Israel Ramirez, jr., F, 5-10; Mason Thompson, sr., G, 5-10; Luis Garcia, sr., G, 5-8; Ben Overlee, jr., F, 6-2; Carlos Gonzalez, jr., F, 6-2

Worth noting: By having a smaller lineup, the Hornets hope to dictate tempo and use their quickness to their advantage. … If Harvard can reach double digits in victories, thus doubling last year’s total, Nolen said that would be a good step.

Johnsburg

Coach: Mike Toussaint (fifth season)

Last season’s record: 11-20 overall, 6-8 FVC Fox

Top returning players: Tanner Kreassig, sr., F, 6-3; Nick Whiting, sr., G, 5-11; Michael Shelton, sr., F, 6-6

Top new players: Bryce Smith, jr., G, 5-11

Worth noting: Kreassig, Whiting and Shelton started every game last season. Kreassig averaged 10.9 points a game and is a relentless rebounder. … Bryce Jordan, Eric Stark, Joe Bein and Russell Anderson had starts at one point, while Connor Diedrich and Mike Rackow also saw siginificant time. … Toussaint said with the experience they have, the Skyhawks can compete for the BNC East title.

Marengo

Coach: Nate Wright (second season)

Last season’s record: 27-6 overall, 11-3 BNC East

Top returning players: Zach Knobloch, sr., G, 6-1; Mike Volkening, jr., G, 6-2; Ben Volkening, sr., F, 6-7; Tim Bassuener, sr., F, 6-5; Colton Wightman, sr., F, 6-2

Top new players: Trevor Nelson, sr., F, 6-0; Austin Keefer, sr., F, 6-0; Carter Olson, jr., F, 6-0

Worth noting: Knobloch was last season’s Northwest Herald Player of the Year after averaging 22.4 points a game and setting the state single-season record with 167 3s. … Marengo won its first regional title since 2000 and tied for the second-most wins in school history. … The Indians lose starters Weston Shepard, Koty Kissack and Hunter Simonini, but have high hopes with Knobloch, Ben and Mike Volkening and Craiton Nice all returning.

Richmond-Burton

Coach: Brandon Creason (seventh season)

Last season’s record: 22-6 overall, 12-2 BNC East (champion)

Top returning players: Blaine Bayer, jr., G, 5-9; Jake Kaufman, jr., G, 5-10; Carter Miller, sr., F, 6-2; Jared Miller, sr., G, 5-8; Fred Busch, sr., C, 6-7

Top new players: Brady Gibson, jr., F, 6-1

Worth noting: The Rockets had a tough offseason, losing their two big men (Joey St. Pierre and Reggie Banks) as well as guard Jesse Hill-Male. St. Pierre, a 6-10 junior, transferred to La Lumiere, a boarding school in LaPorte, Indiana. Banks, a 6-6 senior, and Hill-Male, a strong outside shooter, suffered knee injuries during the football season. … Those losses will make it difficult for the Rockets to chase their third consecutive division title. Bayer is a third-year starter, and Kaufman started last year and played a lot as a freshman.

East Suburban Catholic Conference

Marian Central

Coach: Curtis Price (ninth season)

Last season’s record: 13-16 overall, 5-3 ESCC

Top returning players: Adam Pischke, sr., G, 5-10; Sam Ohlrich, jr., C, 6-8; Thomas Kaufmann, sr., G, 6-3

Top new players: Gavin Scott, so., G, 6-0; Jack Moscinski, jr., G, 6-4

Worth noting: Pischke was one of six area players to pass 1,000 career points last season. He averaged 18.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.6 steals a game and hit 65 3s. … Ohlrich averaged 7.9 points a game and should make a bigger impact as a junior. … Price said the Hurricanes are a balanced team that can attack opponents on both ends.

Northeastern Athletic Conference

Alden-Hebron

Coach: Todd Mathis (third season)

Last season’s record: 12-17 overall, 2-7 NAC

Top returning players: Trevor Redlin, sr., F, 6-0; James LeJuene, sr., G, 5-6; John Judson, sr., G, 6-1; Austin Stauss, jr., G, 5-11; Taylor Glenn, jr., C, 6-3; Shawn Bieze, jr., C, 6-0; Anthony Williams, jr., F, 5-10; Mason Mindrum, so., G, 5-8; Justin Steele, so., G, 5-9; Cameron Norton, so., F, 6-0

Worth noting: A-H wants to build off a 12-win season and its first postseason victory in 28 years. “They are motivated not just to match last season, but to improve on it,” Mathis said. “We are not going to be the tallest team in the conference, but I believe we’re going to be one of the quickest.” … Redlin and LeJeune are two of the Giants’ best players and return as starters.