STEEL VALLEY CONFERENCE Boys basketball glance

FITCH
Head coach: Gary Conroy, eighth year
2001 record: 12-8, 3-5
Returning letterwinners: Greg Mayes (6-7, Sr., C), Terrell Eargle (6-3, Jr., G), Jason Aikens (6-0, Sr., F).
Top newcomers: Chris Barber (6-1, Sr., G), T.J. Parker (5-10, Sr., G), Reid Rouse (6-4, Sr., F), Mem Sanders (6-1, Sr., G), Mark Aikens (6-0, Jr., G), Michael Hardy (6-5, Jr., F), Matt Oles (6-3, Jr., F), Michael Brown (6-0, Soph., G) Stas Cherney (6-2, Soph., F).
Outlook: Return two starters, including one of the league's top players in Mayes and electric guard Eargle. Will be strong defensively and will try to be more consistent than last season.
BOARDMAN
Head coach: Dan Gorski, 14th year (152-131)
2001 record: 12-8, 5-3
Returning letterwinners: Matt Marks (6-4, Sr., F), Mike DeOnofrio (6-1, Jr., G), Jay Davis (6-3, Jr., F), John Greco (6-5, Sr., C), Brad Beck (5-11, Jr., G).
Top newcomers: Mike Villagrana (6-5, Sr., C), Tom Zetts (6-2, Sr., G), Dave Russell (6-4, Sr., F).
Outlook: The Spartans lost three-year guard Mike Finamore to graduation, but return three starters and have good size. Will rely on Marks for scoring and should be strong and physical. Could compete for SVC title.
MOONEY
Head coach: Nick Bellino, 12th year (134-122)
2001 record: 9-11, 1-7
Returning letterwinners: Curtis Ingram (6-3, Sr., G), Ron Stoops (6-3, Jr., G), Jeff Hehr (6-0, Jr., G), David Zidian (6-4, Jr., F), Mark Seddon (6-1, Sr., G), Patsy Daltorio (6-1, Jr., G), Brent Villella (6-3, Sr., F).
Top newcomers: Maurice Clark (6-0, Soph., G), Rick Solak (6-4, Soph., F), Jon Freaney (6-1, Jr., G).
Outlook: The Cardinals return five of their top seven players, led by all-state pick Ingram, a four-year letterwinner. Aren't deep, but have good offensive balance. Standout soccer player Kiki Willis (5-9, Soph., G) could be one to watch.
URSULINE
Head coach: Steve Leslie, third year (18-25)
2001 record: 13-7, 4-4
Returning lettermen: Isaiah Poindexter (6-3, Sr., G), Stefan Thompson (6-0, Sr., G).
Newcomers: Brad Bowman (6-4, Sr., F), Brett Neely (6-1, Jr., F), Brandon Braxton (6-5, Jr., C), Mike Rex (6-4, Sr., F), Jake Bratek (6-3, Sr., F), Clay Petro (6-0, Sr., G), John Butler (6-0, Jr., G), Earl Barron (5-10, Jr., G), Walt Lacey (6-0, Jr., G), Terrill Vidale (6-0, Soph., G), David Simon (5-10, Soph., G), Carey Palermo (5-10, Soph., G), Jerome Jones (6-6, Soph., C).
Outlook: Lost six seniors to graduation, including guard Marc Palermo. Have good size and talent, but few players have varsity experience. May struggle early since many players were on state semifinal playoff team and must quickly switch to basketball.
WARREN HARDING
Head coach: Steve Arnold, first year
2001 record: 17-3, 7-1
Returning letterwinners: Prescott Burgess (6-4, Sr., F), Mike Phillips (6-0, Sr., G), Danny Stella (6-1, Sr., G).
Outlook: Plenty of good talent returns, unfortunately many of the top players are also on the football team. The late start, along with learning Arnold's system, could sidetrack the Raiders in the first half of the season. But watch out in the second half of the season.