FEDERAL LEAGUE | Boys basketball preview

AUSTINTOWN FITCH
Coach: Gary Conroy, eighth season (83-57).
2002-03 record: 14-6, 5-3 SVC.
Returning letterwinners: Terrell Eargle (6-3, Sr., G); Mark Aikens (6-0, Sr., G); Michael Hardy (6-4, Sr., C).
Newcomers: Stas Cherney (6-2, Jr., F); Tyran Eargle (6-0, Jr., G); Michael Brown (6-1, Jr., G); James Wallace (6-4, Soph., C).
Outlook: After losing center Greg Mayes (6-7) to graduation, Fitch will rely heavily on guard play and perimeter game. Quickness will be a strength. With just two returning starters, the Falcons will need younger players to step in quickly.
BOARDMAN
Coach: Dan Gorski, 15th season (155-148).
2002-03 record: 3-17, 1-7 SVC.
Returning letterwinners: Jay Davis (6-4, Sr., F); Mike DeOnofrio (6-2, Sr., G): Chris Wire (6-7, Sr., C).
Newcomers: Jon Kocon (5-9, Soph., G); Carl Centofanti (6-1, Sr., F); Nick Ludban (6-2, Jr., G).
Outlook: Boardman's three returning letterwinners are solid and improved, but the Spartans will need their inexperienced players to step in quickly. One of their keys will be how quickly the bench develops.
CANTON GLENOAK
Coach: Jack Greynolds Jr., first season.
2002-03 record: 9-12, 6-6.
Returning lettermen: Clay Long (Sr., F); Anthony Gage (Jr., G); David Miller (Jr., F); Ryan Saurers (Jr.); Lee Foster (Sr.); Chris Williams (Sr.); Delano Means (Sr.); Adam Prescott (Sr).
Top newcomers: Alan Morrison (Jr., C); Matt Dragomeir (Jr., F); Brian
Hartline (Jr., F); Kostas Koufas (Fr., F).
Outlook: GlenOak's program continues to improve each season, but the players must adapt to a new coaching system.
MASSILLON JACKSON
Coach: Larry Taylor, 19th season, 292-137.
2002-03 record: 10-11, 6-6.
Returning lettermen: Josh Yanke (6-8, Sr.); Matt Planck (6-5, Jr.); Jim Tolbert (5-7, Jr.); Chad Pfeiffer (6-0, Sr.); Josh Taylor (5-10, Sr.).
Top newcomers: Kyle Murphy, Kyle Jones, Chris Kessler, Matt Lowdermilk, Mike Bagrola, Jon Kopf, Matt Harmon.
Outlook: Yanke, a special mention All-Ohioan last season, averaged 18.6 points and 9.6 rebounds, but will need help from Jackson's perimeter game to improve on his numbers. Pfeiffer, who shot 43.8 percent on 3s last season, is an outside threat.
CANTON MCKINLEY
Coach: Dave Hoover, eighth season, 138-52.
2002-03 record: 15-8.
Returning lettermen: Stan Hall (Sr., G); Jason Snow (Jr., G); Sean Weatherspoon (Jr., F); Taurean Dailey (Sr., C); Jerome Snow (Sr., G).
Top newcomers: Nate Hofacre (Jr., F); Sedelle Broyles (Soph., G); Raymar Morgan (Soph., C); Marcus Parker (Soph., G); Todd Brown (Soph., F); Kyrk Freeman (Soph, G); Jeremi Martin (Soph, F); Harriel Moore (Soph., F).
Outlook: McKinley should be one of the league's top teams with five returning letterwinners and good athleticism on the perimeter.
NORTH CANTON HOOVER
Coach: Randy Montgomery, second season, 21-2.
2002-03 record: 21-2, 11-1
Returning lettermen: Tim Reynolds (6-8, Sr., C); Bret Wackerly (5-10, Jr., PG); Brian Scheller (6-2, Jr. G); Chris Saltis (6-4, Sr., F).
Top newcomers: Ryan Gibson (6-1, Jr., G); John Scheller (6-2, Jr., F); John Bertsch (6-2, Soph., F).
Outlook: The Vikings lost four key contributors to graduation, including league player of the year Jim Savage. Younger players must step in quickly.
MASSILLON PERRY
Coach: Fred Neil, sixth season, 57-51.
2002-03 record: 6-15, 3-9.
Returning lettermen: Justin Vasiliades (Sr., F); Matt Mays (Sr., F); Ray Siler (Sr., C).
Top newcomers: Matt Clokey (Sr.); Wil Hamma (Sr.); Jason Patton (Jr.); Darrell Parker (Jr.); Scott Ayers (Sr.); Evan Graber (Jr.).
Outlook: Several younger players got playing time last season and the Panthers should be more competitive in the league. Siler is a solid inside threat.
UNIONTOWN LAKE
Coach: Tom McBride, fourth season, 46-43.
2002-03 record: 12-10, 6-6.
Returning lettermen: Bill Brown (Sr.); Luke Leppla (Sr.); Kacy Sommers (Jr.).
Top newcomers: Jeremy Duerr (Jr., PG); Cory Slabaugh (G).
Outlook: The Blue Streaks lost their top two players to graduation and will need their younger players to develop quickly to compete in an even tougher league. This could be a rebuilding year.
-- Vindicator staff report