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The boys basketball season tips off this week. Here are previews of area teams.
GLENBARD EAST RAMS
Coach: Scott Miller
2017-2018 RECORD: 11-16
TOP PLAYERS
NAME YEAR POS.
Alijah Nelson jr. G
DaRon Hall jr. G
Jeremy Johnson sr. G
Anthony Shockey sr. G
Antonio Davis sr. F
Nate Dudek sr. F
Mitch Glennon sr. G
Jake Huisman sr. G
Mashar Lewis sr. G
Jackson Rozinsky sr. F
Clay Kepuraitis sr. G
Deon Cook jr. G
Outlook: What the Rams lack in size, they more than make up for with speed and quickness. It starts with two-time all-Upstate Eight point guard Nelson, who averaged 13 points and two assists. Hall, who averaged nine points and three assists, is also back in the Glenbard East backcourt. Johnson is a third returning starter who averaged seven points, and with Shockey is coming off a big football season. Davis, at 6-foot-6, provides size.
"We feel we have a chance to be very good," Miller said. "We have good experience, shooting, guard play and quickness."
IC CATHOLIC PREP KNIGHTS
Coach: T.J. Tyrrell
2017-18 record: 20-10
TOP PLAYERS
NAME YEAR POS.
Khali Saunders sr. F
Mike Carpanzano sr. F
Rashad Sbeih sr. F
Ryan Wojtalewicz jr. C
Dom Gaudio jr. F
Zach Jordan jr. G
Chauncey Lee so. G
Outlook: The Knights will have a significantly different lineup after saying goodbye to nine seniors who contributed to back-to-back Class 2A regional titles and a Sweet 16 appearance last season. This year's team has three seniors. One key expected returning starter is Purdue football recruit Saunders, who like other teammates will get a late start as the Knights' football team plays in the Class 4A state championship game this week.
The 6-4 Wojtalewicz, described by Tyrrell as a “workhorse," started in the regional victories after Saunders injured his finger in the regular-season finale. Point guard Lee is among five sophomores on the roster and should earn notice in his first varsity season. Road trips to Benet and York beef up the schedule.
“Preparation and execution will be team strengths,” Tyrrell said. “And it will be another late start for some of our football guys.”
MONTINI BRONCOS
Coach: Bob Lozano
2017-18 record: 18-11
TOP PLAYERS
NAME YEAR POS.
Luke Morrill sr. G/F
Fred Stokes sr. F
Scott West sr. G
Kai Evans soph. G/F
Mark Gabriel sr. F
Deontay Bell jr. G
Julian Greenwood jr. G
Outlook: A former assistant, Lozano takes over as head coach after the death of Daryl Thomas in March. The Broncos currently have six seniors and four returnees and probably will start slow as they await the arrival of more players following the football team's Class 5A state championship game. Returning for sure are Morrill, West, Stokes and Evans, who was on varsity as a freshman. Morrill and Stokes started last year's Class 3A regional final and West and Evans were among the first off the bench. Starting guard Anthony Thompson transferred to Bolingbrook.
Lozano feels that the Broncos should be able to continue scoring points. How well they can limit opponents’ scoring will determine their win-loss success. The score of last year’s regional final loss to Burlington Central was 89-78.
“Our strength is our ability to get the ball up and down the floor in transition,” Lozano said. “We need to improve defensively from past years. Our key will be defensive tempo, toughness.”
TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN TROJANS
Coach: Scott Plaisier
2017-18 record: 22-6
TOP PLAYERS
NAME YEAR POS.
Matt Owens jr. G
Justin Baez sr. G
Chris Brooks sr. G
Danardo Jones sr. C/W
Jack Baldridge jr. G
Adam Moody jr. C
AJ Vos jr. G/W
Zach Orange jr. G
Josh Harris soph. G/W
Outlook: The 5-10 Owens and 6-1 Baez are returning starting guards from last year's 22-win season – the Trojans' best mark since their last regional title in 2010 – that included a Metro Suburban Red title. Owens was among several scoring options last season and is the only returnee among the four 2018 all-conference selections, which included graduated conference MVP Brandon Orange.
Also back is Brooks, a significant contributor off the bench, and Jones, their tallest player at 6-7. Harris, a 6-4 guard/wing, is the lone sophomore on the roster. The Trojans hope to continue their balanced philosophy under second-year coach Plaisier. The schedule includes a trip to Rancho Solano Prep in Scottsdale, Ariz. Jan. 8.
“Our strengths are sharing the basketball and pace of play,” Plaisier said. “Our keys are consistently defending and rebounding.”
WILLOWBROOK WARRIORS
Coach: Chris Perkins
2017-2018 Record: 26-6
TOP PLAYERS
NAME YEAR POS.
Matas Masys sr. G
Everett Stubblefield jr. G
Scott Tumilty sr. G
Jack Hines sr. G
Levi Bentsen sr. G
Outlook: The Warriors graduated four starters – namely, All-Area post Ethan Schuemer – off last year's team that knocked off Naperville North before losing to Benet in the sectional final. But the cupboard is far from bare. Stubblefield gave a glimpse of his potential with an electric 16-point performance against Naperville North. Masys, one of the area's better shooters, averaged 11.8 points and hit 67 3-pointers, and is a bridge from Willowbrook's success the last few years. A tough schedule includes a return visit to the Batavia Night of Hoops, and to Sterling for an MLK Day Shootout.
YORK DUKES
Coach: Vince Doran
2017-2018 Record: 17-12
TOP PLAYERS
NAME YEAR POS.
Nick Kosich sr. G
Erik Cohn sr. G
Nate Shockey jr. G
Sam Walsh sr. F
John Milling sr. G
Jeff Grace so. G
Mike Pedote sr. G
Hassan Iqbal sr. G
Outlook: The Dukes return nearly all of their scoring with quite a few players back with varsity experience from last year's team that took second in the Silver, namely Kosich, Cohn and Walsh. Kosich was York's leading scorer last year, averaging 12.3 points with 69 3-pointers. Cohn and Shockey are two other strong shooters. Grace is a talented guard to watch now and into the future. Newcomers that may contribute are Tim Glavan and Jake Brandolino. Walsh, at 6-foot-5, is the post presence on a smallish guard-heavy group.
"This year’s team is small but fast," Doran said.