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Fox Valley Conference
Burlington Central
Coach: Brett Porto (13th season)
Last season’s record: 16-1, 9-0 (FVC champion)
Top returning players: Gavin Sarvis, sr. (G-F, 6-2); Zac Schmidt, sr. (G, 6-2); Carson Seyller, sr. (F, 6-1); Nick Carpenter, sr. (F, 6-3); Drew Scharnowski, jr. (F, 6-5); Matthew Lemon, jr. (G, 5-9); Trestan Wagner, sr. (G, 5-10); Nolan Milas, jr. (G, 5-10)
Top new players: Jake Johnson, fr. (F, 6-4); Nick Gouriotis, jr. (F, 6-4); Mason Erickson, jr. (G, 6-1); Quinton Erickson, jr. (G, 6-1); Michael Person, so. (F, 6-3); Caden West, fr. (G, 5-10)
Worth noting: The Rockets were mostly unchallenged in their FVC games last season, with an 11-point win over Jacobs in the FVC Tournament as their closest league game. … Burlington is long and athletic all over the floor and returns its five starters, led by Sarvis (14.5 ppg.), Seyller (11.1) and Carpenter and Schmidt (both 10.6). … Porto’s teams always make things difficult for opponents with their aggressive defense. … Sarvis and Seyller were Northwest Herald All-Area first-team selections, Schmidt made the second team, and Carpenter was an honorable mention. … Scharnowski is the other returning starter. … In their two seasons in the FVC, the Rockets took third and won the league, as well as the tournament.
Cary-Grove
Coach: Adam McCloud (sixth season)
Last season’s record: 9-3, 6-3 (third in FVC)
Top returning players: Mikey Clarke, sr. (G, 6-1); John Mau, sr. (G, 6-2); Calvin Slimko, sr. (G, 6-3); Kyle Ochwat, sr. (G-F, 6-4)
Top new players: Zach Bauer, jr. (C, 6-5); Jake Hornok, so. (G, 6-2)
Worth noting: The Trojans will have four new starters in the lineup to go with Clarke, an All-Area second-team selection who averaged 10.7 points a game. Clarke was a prominent reserve for the Trojans’ 31-3 team in 2019. … “We’re looking forward to a full season of hoops and to being competitive in March,” McCloud said.
Crystal Lake Central
Coach: Joe Capalbo (second season)
Last season’s record: 3-8, 2-8 (tied for eighth in FVC)
Top returning players: Cam Keilman, sr. (G-F, 6-6), Davion Lewis, sr. (PG, 5-9)
Worth noting: Keilman is a big man with some versatility who saw a lot of time last season. … The Tigers will have a lot of new players in their rotation this season, although Capalbo hopes that can have a positive effect. “They’re excited to compete and feel like they have something to prove,” Capalbo said. “After a short and frustrating year last year, this group is ready to take advantage of this opportunity. We are looking forward to surprising a lot of teams this season.”
Crystal Lake South
Coach: Matt LePage (10th season)
Last season’s record: 6-7, 4-5 (tied for sixth in FVC)
Top returning players: Cooper LePage, jr. (G, 6-2); Isaiah Kirkeeng, sr. (F, 6-5); Arnav Jain, sr. (G, 6-1); Nate Van Witzenburg, jr. (G, 5-9); Brady Schroeder, jr. (F, 6-3); Cam Miller, jr. (G, 6-2); Zach Peltz, jr. (G, 6-3); Nate Stewart, jr., (G, 6-2)
Top new players: Colton Hess, so. (F, 6-4)
Worth noting: The Gators could be near the top of the FVC as they return several of their key players. They have three starters back in LePage (12.1 ppg.), Kirkeeng (11.1) and Jain (10.5, 28 3s). Kirkeeng and LePage are third-year varsity players. … Matt LePage thinks the Gators’ experience, depth, chemistry and guard play will be strengths. … “We expect to compete at a high level and improve as the season goes on,” LePage said. … LePage welcomes former Crystal Lake Central head coach Rich Czeslawski to his staff as an assistant this season.
Dundee-Crown
Coach: Lance Huber (19th season)
Last season’s record: 4-6, 4-5 (tied for sixth in FVC)
Top returning players: Kennon Cook, sr. (F, 6-3); Jason Huber, sr. (G, 5-11); Gabe Rivera, sr. (G, 5-9); Hunter Guyon, sr. (F, 6-4); Zach Ryza, sr. (F, 6-4); Ryan Schultz, sr. (F, 6-0); Drew Randl, sr. (F, 6-1); Dakota Jackson, sr. (G, 6-0)
Top new players: Zach Randl, so. (G, 5-10); Tyler DiSilvio, jr. (F, 6-4); Josh Valera, jr. (G, 5-8)
Worth noting: Cook (11.8 ppg., 7.1 rpg.) is a third-year starter who is tough to stop while driving to the basket. He led the Chargers in most statistical categories. He was an All-Area second-team pick. … Huber, the coach’s son, averaged 8.4 points a game and was D-C’s best outside threat. … Guyon and Rivera both played big minutes last season, and coach Huber thinks Schultz, Jackson, Ryza and Drew Randl will give the Chargers some depth. … “We have a nice group of players, and my hope is we play good basketball all year long and our best basketball at the end,” Lance Huber said. “It’s good to be back and having a somewhat normal season. I believe last year (shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic) made many people grateful for many things we took for granted.”
Hampshire
Coach: Mike Featherly (third season)
Last season’s record: 0-12, 0-9 (10th in FVC)
Top returning players: Kevin Dela Paz, sr. (G, 5-5); Adam Ugochukwu, sr. (F, 6-3); Miles Wiggins, sr. (F, 6-3); Matt Dumoulin, sr. (G, 6-0); Joey Pearsall, sr. (F, 6-1); Tyler Mella, sr. (G, 6-1)
Top new players: Chase Anderson, jr. (G, 5-10); Joey Costabile, jr. (G, 6-0); Gavin Khounnoraj, jr. (G, 5-7); Sam Ptak, jr. (G-F, 6-0); Tristan Villarreal, jr. (G, 5-11); Jeffrey Cruickshank, so. (G-F, 6-1); Gage Homola, so. (F, 6-4); Nick Louis, so. (G, 5-9); Daniel Luckett, so. (G, 5-10); Ryan Regalado, so. (G, 5-8)
Worth noting: Hampshire advanced to the 2019 Class 3A Boylan Sectional championship game that was canceled when the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the remainder of the season. The Whip-Purs graduated most of their experienced players from that team and went winless last season. … Featherly is excited about the group coming back and appreciates their attitude and wilingness to work. “Our focus this year is to grow as a team every day,” he said. “The conference is going to be extremely competitive, and we look forward to competing on a nightly basis.”
Huntley
Coach: Will Benson (eighth season)
Last season’s record: 10-3, 7-2 (second in FVC)
Top returning players: Aiden Wieczorek, sr. (G, 6-1); Ben Ahmer, sr. (G, 6-0); Adam Guazzo, sr. (F, 6-2); Nate Ary, sr. (G, 6-0); Noah Only, jr. (G-F, 6-3); Chet Andrews, sr. (F, 6-5); Ian Ravagnie, jr. (G, 6-4); John Kramer, sr. (G, 5-11)
Top new player: Oliwier Dzik, jr. (G, 6-3)
Worth noting: Wieczorek averaged 11.8 points a game and often was the player guarding opponents’ top guards. He was a Northwest Herald All-Area first-team selection. … Ahmer was one of the area’s most dangerous shooters with 35 3-pointers, the most by any returning player. He is a third-year varsity player. … Guazzo, Ary, Andrews, Ravagnie and Only all figured into the rotation last season. … Dzik attended Loyola Academy last year and transferred to Huntley this year. “He fits in well with our kids and how we like to play,” Benson said.
Jacobs
Coach: Jimmy Roberts (ninth season)
Last season’s record: 8-5, 6-3 (fourth in FVC)
Top returning players: Nick McCoy, sr. (G, 6-2); Jackson Martucci, jr. (G, 6-2); Grant Stec, so. (F, 6-6); Adam Orencia, sr. (G, 5-11)
Top new players: Isiah Jackson, sr. (G, 6-0); Brett Schlicker, jr. (F, 6-2); Nathan Jonas, jr. (F, 6-2)
Worth noting: The Golden Eagles lost most of their starting lineup to graduation, most notably point guard James Hayes (10.4), guard Zach Leahy (12.9) and guard Robert Pennel (23 3s). … McCoy is a good shooter, and Stec got some time as a freshman and gives the Eagles some size. Martucci also was in the rotation last season. … Roberts hopes Jacobs can remain one of the teams in the top part of the FVC.
McHenry
Coach: Chris Madson (fifth season)
Last season’s record: 4-9, 2-7 (eighth in FVC)
Top returning players: Anthony Fowler, sr. (G-F, 6-1); Jack Waters, sr. (G, 5-9); Dillon Maciaszek, sr. (G, 5-9); Kayden Shatzer, sr. (F, 6-3)
Top new players: Zach Maness, jr. (G, 5-11); Max Smits, jr. (F, 6-4); Cooper Cohn, jr. (G, 5-11); Marko Visnjevac, so. (G, 5-8); Hayden Stone, so. (F, 6-3)
Worth noting: Fowler averaged 11.8 points and is one of the top returning scorers in the FVC. … The Warriors will have to lean on several of their upcoming varsity players. Madson referred to his team as a “young, competitive group.”
Prairie Ridge
Coach: Ryan Smith (fourth season)
Last season’s record: 7-4, 5-4 (fifth in FVC)
Top returning players: Mason Loucks, sr. (G, 5-9); James Muse, jr. (F, 6-4); Zach Lindquist, sr. (G, 6-1); Jackson Otto, sr. (G, 6-2); Drew Rightmyer, sr. (G, 6-1)
Top new players: Cade Collins, jr. (F, 6-3); Tyler Vasey, jr. (G, 6-0); Sam Loeding, jr. (F, 6-2)
Worth noting: Muse and Loucks are returning starters, but Smith likes that there are others ready to step into starting roles. Muse led the Wolves with a 9.3-point average. … “We executed at a high level over the summer and continue to take steps in the right direction,” Smith said. “We have a skilled group where each player can universally play any spot on the floor. If we shoot the ball well and defend in the half-court, I believe this team has the potential to be very successful.”
Kishwaukee River Conference
Harvard
Coach: Dan Krauser (second season)
Last season’s record: 2-8, 2-8 (fifth in KRC)
Top returning players: Ricky Bennett, jr. (F, 6-2); Myles Brincks, jr. (G, 5-10); Allan Flores, sr., (F, 6-0); Lee Galarza, sr. (G, 6-2); Aldo Jimenez, sr. (F, 6-0)
Top new players: Eddie Flores, sr. (F, 5-10)
Worth noting: Krauser starts his second season as Hornets coach with hopes of continuing what they started in the shortened 2021 season. “Our focus was on changing the culture of Harvard basketball, and we accomplished that last season,” Krauser said. “Our next step now is to maintain that culture that we created. We are a program nobody expects anything from, and that’s not a bad position to be in.”
Johnsburg
Coach: Mike Toussaint (11th season)
Last season’s record: 8-5 overall, 5-5 KRC (tied for third place)
Top returning players: Dylan Schmidt, jr. (G, 6-3); Jacob Welch, jr. (F, 6-6); Ian Boal, jr. (G, 6-0); Luke Conroy, sr. (G, 6-0); Joe Wolff, sr. (G, 6-0); Jake Metze, jr. (G, 5-10)
Top new players: Ben Person, so. (F, 6-4)
Worth noting: Schmidt, a third-year varsity player, should be one of the most dynamic players in the KRC. He was second in the area in scoring (18.2 ppg.) and hit 33 3s, fourth in the area. He also had several dunks. … Welch, Metze and Boal all played in the regular rotation last season and return. Conroy, who quarterbacked the football team, will provide solid leadership. … Johnsburg implemented an up-tempo style last season with liberal usage of the 3. Toussaint thinks the second year playing that style will help expand options the Skyhawks have this year.
Marengo
Coach: Nate Wright (eighth season)
Last season’s record: 9-2 overall, 9-1 KRC (conference champion)
Top returning players: Matthew Volkening, sr. (G, 6-6); Josh Holst, jr. (F, 6-4); Exzavier Meyer, sr. (G, 6-4); Brock Adamson, sr. (F, 6-4)
Top new players: Preston Bailey, sr. (F, 6-3); Mario Lopez, sr. (G, 5-6); Colin Aubry, sr. (G, 6-0); Riley Weiss, jr. (G, 5-10); Jack Schirmer, sr. (F, 6-3)
Worth noting: Volkening is a fourth-year varsity player and was the Spring 2021 Northwest Herald Player of the Year after leading the Indians to the Kishwaukee River Conference title. He averaged area bests of 18.9 points and 8.9 rebounds and hit 29 3s. He starts his senior season with 1,127 points, 688 short of 2016 graduate Zach Knobloch’s school-record 1,815 points. … The Indians have good size and athleticism with Volkening, Holst, Meyer and Adamson, all at 6-4 or taller. … “We have some length and speed,” Wright said. “If we can apply those things properly, I believe we can be tough to beat. Our depth will serve us well navigating the grind of the full four-month season again.”
Richmond-Burton
Coach: Brandon Creason (13th season)
Last season’s record: 10-5, 5-5 KRC (tied for third place)
Top returning players: Joe Miller, jr. (F, 6-4); Jacob Nelson, sr. (F, 6-2); Jason Miller, sr. (G, 5-10); Connor Wallace, sr. (G, 6-1); Max Folbrick, sr. (G, 5-10); Jack Verdoni, sr. (F, 6-2); Ethan Demers, sr. (G, 5-9)
Top new players: Ethan Schoeps, jr. (G-F, 6-1); Michael O’Leary, so. (G, 5-10); Hunter Smith, jr. (F, 5-10)
Worth noting: R-B will get a late start after the football team’s run to the Class 4A semifinals delayed practice for several players. … Nelson and Joe Miller will lead the way in the frontcourt, with Wallace and Jason Miller leading the backcourt. … Creason said the biggest question is where the Rockets can find some scoring, as the top seven returning players averaged a little more than 10 points a game.
Woodstock
Coach: Al Baker (14th season)
Last season’s record: 0-13 overall, 0-10 KRC (sixth place)
Top returning players: Mateo Alcazar, sr. (G, 5-9); Max Barnett, sr. (G, 6-1); Javier Garay, sr. (PG, 5-10); Jake Murray, sr. (G, 6-2); Jack Novelle, sr. (F, 6-4); Caden Ogle, sr. (F, 6-4)
Top new players: Hayden Haak, jr. (G, 5-8); Jackson Lyons, jr.(F, 5-11); Kaden Perkins, jr. (G, 5-8); Aidan Sivore, jr. (G,5-8); Spencer Cullum, so. (F, 6-5)
Worth noting: The Blue Streaks look to bounce back from a winless 2021 season with several of the same players coming back. … “I’m proud of how these guys responded from a rough year last year,” Baker said. “They put in the work in the offseason, and I’m excited to see them compete. Depth should be a strength. We have 12 guys that can really push each other in practice every day.” … Baker expects Garay to be one of the KRC’s top players.
Woodstock North
Coach: Dale Jandron (fourth season)
Last season’s record: 8-3 overall, 8-3 KRC (second place)
Top returning players: Rex White, sr. (G, 6-0); Christian Soto-Garcia, sr. (C, 6-7); Gabe Filetti, jr (G-F, 6-0)
Top new players: Jake McConnell, sr. (C, 6-5); Cesar Ortiz, jr. (G, 6-2); Braeden Luschei, sr. (G, 5-10); Javion Rodriguez, jr. (G, 5-10)
Worth noting: Jandron has made great strides with the Thunder after taking over the program before the 2018 season. North has its first two winning seasons in 2019 (17-15) and 2020 (19-13), with its first regional title in 2019. … The Thunder will miss do-everything guard Cole Brey, an All-Area first-teamer who averaged 15.9 points and 6.8 rebounds a game. He finished his career with 948 points. … White was second on the team at 11.6 ppg. and returns to lead the Thunder. … North defeated Marengo in the final week of the 2021 spring season, the lone KRC defeat for the Indians in the last two years. … Jandron expects the incoming junior group, which won KRC titles at lower levels the past two seasons, to help the Thunder again push toward a conference championship.
East Suburban Catholic Conference
Marian Central
Coach: Charley Walsh (third season)
Last season’s record: 2-13 overall, 0-9 ESCC (10th place)
Top returning players: Christian Bentancur, so. (G-F, 6-5); Cale McThenia, so. (G-F, 6-3); Dawson Yegge, jr. (C, 6-7); Jake Giangreco, jr. (G, 6-1); Mike Morris, sr. (G, 6-1); Jayson Lange, sr. (F, 6-2)
Top new players: Frank Lavin, sr. (G-F, 6-2); Luca Raso, jr. (G, 5-10); Braedon Todd, so. (G, 6-0)
Worth noting: The Hurricanes play in a brutally tough conference, but things are looking up with most of their top producers coming back, led by Bentancur (17.2 ppg., 6.6 rpg.) and Giangreco (10.6 ppg.). … McThenia averaged 5.6 ppg. and Yegge had 5.0 rpg. Bentancur and McThenia started as freshmen, Giangreco, who led the ‘Canes with 21 3s, was a sophomore. … “We have the right pieces to build around,” Walsh said. “It’s all up to them. If collectively they make the commitment and stay together, they will be fun to watch. I am optimistically anxious to watch them develop.” … This will be Bentancur’s fourth varsity season between basketball and football in 10 months.
Northeastern Athletic Conference
Alden-Hebron
Coach: Rick Peterson (first season)
Last season’s record: 4-9 NAC (sixth place)
Top returning players: Justin Gritmacher, jr. (G); Thomas Webber, sr. (F); Tyler Cunningham, sr. (F)
Top new players: Ben Vole, so. (G); Jake Neilson, jr. (C); Nolan Vanderstappen, so. (F)
Worth noting: Peterson, who coached the Woodstock girls for the past two years, thinks this can be one of the Giants’ better teams over recent seasons. … Numbers could be an obstacle, as A-H is not deep, although there is a good number of players in the junior high coming up. … “The kids are excited to play. We’re not big, but our kids play really hard,” Peterson said. “I really like these kids. They’re grinders. The No. 1 objective for me is to get these kids believing in themselves, keep their confidence up and learning how to absorb runs from other teams. If we stay healthy, I can see us turning the corner, especially in the second half.”