INTER-COUNTY LEAGUE Boys basketball glance

JACKSON-MILTON
Head coach: Steve Sachire, seventh year
2001 record: 6-14, 5-9
Returning lettermen: Tim Shaw (6-2, Jr., F), Zack Nicholas (6-3, Jr., F), Nick Rubenstahl (5-9, Sr., G), Josh Ayres (6-0, Jr., G).
Newcomers: Kyle Hallas (6-2, Jr., F), Mark Balent (5-10, Soph., G), Kasey Kaptain (5-10, Jr., F).
Outlook: Return four starters, but lack overall depth. Have good post players in Nicholas and Shaw. Will need younger players to step up. Probably a year away.
LOWELLVILLE
Head coach: Dennis Hynes, sixth year
2001 record: 0-20, 0-14
Returning lettermen: Andy Peterson (6-0, Sr., F), Mike Palumbo (5-9, Sr., G), Chad Likens (6-3, Sr., F), Jack Noble (6-0, Jr., G), Kevin McCarthy (5-9, Sr., G).
Newcomers: Bryan Meehan (5-8, Jr., G), Mike Olive (6-4, Sr., C), Joe Flood (5-8, Jr., G), Dan Bond (5-8, Jr., G), Tom Haren (5-9, Jr., G), Andrew Mamula (6-3, Sr., F), Grant Borney (5-11, Jr., G).
Outlook: After a disastrous year, the Rockets should be better. Team returns five lettermen and three starters.
MATHEWS
Head coach: Kevin Haynie, fourth year (9-51)
2001 record: 6-14, 5-9
Returning lettermen: Adam Englebaugh (6-2, Sr., G), Gary Jones (5-10, Sr., G), Chris Vesey (6-6, Jr., F), John Mintus (6-5, Sr., F), Adam Hughes (5-10, Jr., G).
Newcomers: Drew Carpenter (6-1, Sr., F), Paul Belany (6-0, Jr., G), Tyler Stanton (6-2, Jr., G), Anthony Jones (6-4, Sr., G), Ian Paddock (6-5, Jr., F), Matt Walters (6-0, Sr., G), John Gardner (5-4, Sr., G).
Outlook: Lost standout Marc Burcham to graduation, but have good size, speed and depth returning.
MCDONALD
Head coach: Ed Dolsak, second year (10-12)
2001 record: 9-11, 7-7
Returning lettermen: Kevin Stonestreet (6-1, Sr., C/F), Josh Camuso (6-0, Sr., G/F), Tyler Stanley (5-11, Soph., G), Nick Testa (6-2, Jr., G/F).
Newcomers: Ken McKay (5-11, Jr., G/F), Tyler Lunn (5-11, Jr., G/F), Mike VanDyke (5-8, Jr., G), Joe Kunkel (5-11, Jr., G), Andrew Mahson (5-11, Jr., C/F), Mark Macali (6-0, Soph., C/F).
Outlook: Return four starters from last season, including standouts Stonestreet and Testa. Will be strong defensively, but needs to improve outside shooting.
MINERAL RIDGE
Head coach: Del Ruiter, third year (25-19)
2001 record: 16-4, 11-3
Returning lettermen: Judson Williamson (6-1, Sr., F), Brandon Linert (5-10, Jr., G), Andrew Whitmer (5-7, Soph., G).
Newcomers: Tim Persin (6-1, Jr., F), Greg Dominic (5-10, Jr., G), Jason Garland (6-0, Jr., F), Steve Velte (5-9, Jr., G), Shawn Buskirk (5-11, Sr., G), Will Tolley (6-5, Jr., F).
Outlook: Lost four starters to graduation, including standout guard Malachi Hall (Mount Union). Should be a rebuilding year.
SOUTH RANGE
Head coach: Rocky Carr, first year
2001 record: 16-4, 11-3
Returning lettermen: Ritchie Schuler (6-3, Sr., F), Ryan Copeland (6-2, Sr., F), George Rohan (5-10, Sr., G).
Newcomers: Jordan Taylor (6-0, Jr., G), Danny Justice (5-11, Jr., G), Jared Oliver (6-0, Sr., G).
Outlook: Return three starters from last year's team, which upset Springfield in the district semifinal. Should finish in upper half of league.
SPRINGFIELD
Head coach: Jeff Brink, fifth year (72-17)
2001 record: 18-2, 14-0
Returning lettermen: Dan Schuler (6-6, Sr., F), Dave Rispinto (6-1, Sr., G), Jonathan Vivo (5-9, Sr., G), Jeff Mershimer (6-6, Sr., C), Aaron Wood (6-4, Soph., C), Paul Savaet (6-0, Sr., G), Jeff Decenso (5-9, Sr., G).
Newcomers: Rick Weimer (6-3, Sr., F), Henrik Thomsen (6-8, Sr., G/F).
Outlook: Lost four seniors (three starters), but return all-Ohio forward Schuler. Good size, but are somewhat inexperienced. Tigers have a 32-game ICL winning streak and are favored to win their fourth straight league title.
WESTERN RESERVE
Head coach: Steve Miller, third year (11-32)
2001 record: 5-15, 5-9
Returning lettermen: Brandon Keck (6-3, Sr., F), Kyle Trimble (5-9, Sr., G), Doug Shirley (5-11, Sr., G), Jeremy Shevel (6-0, Sr., G), Ryan Jones (6-1, Sr., G), Chris Thomas (5-10, Sr., G).
Newcomers: Cody Reese (5-7, Jr., G), Mark Dickerhoof (5-5, Jr., G), Jake Zatchok (6-1, Jr., F), Matt Speece (6-2, Jr., F), Nick Sanders (6-1, Jr., F).
Outlook: Will rely heavily on perimeter game -- the Blue Devils made 149 3-pointers last year. Must improve defensively.