METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE Poland will be league target

The Salem Quakers (2-0) already have doubled their win total from last year.
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When one team goes unbeaten in the conference and advances to the state semifinals, it's not hard to pick who the other league rivals will target this winter.
Poland High, coached by Ken Grisdale, won the 2001-02 Metro Athletic Conference crown with a perfect 10-0 league record.
After winning the Division II district title in Boardman and the regional championship in Canton, Poland's season ended in Columbus against Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary and LeBron James.
Grisdale lost three players to graduation, including Jamie Dunn, The Vindicator's player of the year who was two-time MAC player of the year and received special mention all-state honors following his senior season.
Returners
Grisdale does have five returning letterwinners, including senior guard Neil Harris (6-foot-2) and sophomore guard Chad Fender (6-1), who were both All-MAC second team selections last year.
Harris averaged three steals per game and holds the school's season record with 81. As a freshman, Fender scored 10 points per game for a school-record 260.
Also back are Bill Bartos (6-3 senior post), Eric Fender (6-2 senior guard) and Jonathan Habuda (6-2 senior guard).
Grisdale is the first to admit that his team "has some big shoes to fill" after a 23-3 season. But until somebody knocks them out of first place, Poland remains the MAC team to beat.
Another team that will miss quality seniors is Niles, which lost all five starters from a 15-5 team to graduation. Three of the Red Dragons' losses were to Poland, including a 57-52 defeat in the district final.
Three letterwinners are back for coach Ron price: Vince Gatta (5-9 senior guard), Tim Rupert (6-3 senior forward) and Dan Jones (6-2 junior guard).
Price says shooting proficiency and team defense will be among the Red Dragons' strengths while inexperience and lack of height will be obstacles.
Wildcats
Also returning three letterwinners is Struthers, which finished 11-11 and 6-4 last year. Joe Fuline's Wildcats will be led by Jim Franceschelli (5-7 senior point guard), who averaged nine points per game; Shawn Hall (5-9 senior), and D.J. Aldish (6-1 senior).
Fuline expects his team to be quick and aggressive. Lack of game experience will be a problem.
John Cullen begins his 21st season at Canfield with a team that has height to compete with Poland.
Juniors Chad Baker (6-3) and Karim ElRaddaf (6-1) will play post while senior Matt Sonnett (6-1) plays guard and junior Frank Turocy (6-1) is a forward.
Cullen expects improved shooting from last year's 9-12 team and "we should be fairly quick and able to press well."
In Salem, George Spack has four players back from last year's 1-20 team: senior post player Derek Frederick (6-6); senior wings Andy Miller (5-11) and Chris Sedgwick (6-0); and junior guard Zac Grey (6-0).
The Quakers already have doubled their win total from last year. Spack credits the quick start to "improved attitude and work ethic, and a deeper bench."
Bernard Bolha takes over Howland and has two letterwinners coming back from an 8-13 team: senior guards Brandon Kubicina (6-1) and Scott Day (6-2).