CITY SERIES Boys basketball preview

RAYEN
Coach: Phil House, 15th season.
2002-03 record: 5-15, 3-3 City Series.
Returning letterwinners: Jabray Graham (6-3, Sr.), Keenan Ready (6-4, Sr.), Marcel Finkley (6-3, Jr.), Deon Elliot (5-7, Jr.).
Newcomers: Brandon Crosby (6-3, Sr.); Joseph Grove (6-2, Jr.), Dominic Crosby (6-0. Jr.). Karl Scott (6-0, Sr.), Quentin Duckworth (6-3, Sr.), David Davis (5-8, Sr.), Maurice Clark (6-2, Jr.).
Outlook: The prospects are brighter this year for Rayen as four returning letterman are complemented by seven newcomers. The Tigers lost Jamal Higgs, who averaged 22 points, four assists and three steals, to graduation, but have a good nucleus to build around. The team is expected to have some height, better speed, ball-handling and depth.
WOODROW WILSON
Coach: Mark Cherol, eighth season.
2002-03 record: 7-14, 3-3 City Series.
Returning letterwinners: Chauncey Whitlow (6-3, Sr., PG).
Newcomers: Bruce Smith (6-9, Sr., C); Michael Artis (6-0, Sr., G); Bert Pritchard (5-11, Jr., G); Walter Duncan (6-0, Jr., F).
Outlook: Wilson lost standouts Randall Poindexter, who averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds; and Isaiah Anderson, 10 points and six rebounds. The team returns only one letterwinner, point guard Chauncey Whitlow, and has just four newcomers. So rebuilding will be an objective. Assets include quickness and athleticism.
CHANEY
Coach: Don D'Alesio.
2002-03 record: 7-13, 3-3 City Series.
Returning letterwinners: None.
Newcomers: Kelvin Shaw (6-2, Sr.); Ben Pearch (6-1, Sr.); Dennis Paige (6-4, Sr.); Justin Hood (5-9, Sr.); Marcus Cobb (5-11, Sr.); Jeremy Tomlin (5-11, Jr.); Carrington Moore (6-4, Jr.); Rick Hlinka (5-11, Jr.); Cory Jackson (6-0, Soph.); Dominique Peak (6-2, Soph.); and Antonio Fitzgerald (5-11, Fr.).
Outlook: Chaney has no returning lettermen but is rebuilding around six top players: Shaw, Hood, Tomlin, Hlinka, Jackson and Peak. The Cowboys lost five players to graduation -- Chris Childers, Adrian Richards, Ed McElroy, Dave Higginbotham and Idris El-Amin -- while three other lettermen -- Dominique Crosby, Brandon Crosby and Keenan Ready -- transferred to Rayen. Shaw and Peak appear promising and could evolve into team leaders. Shaw transferred to Chaney from Atlanta, Ga., while Peak was ineligible last season. DeLisio said the Cowboys must mature quickly, and rely on overall team speed with solid defense.
CANTON TIMKEN
Coach: Rick Hairston.
2002-03 record: 4-17, 3-3 City Series.
Returning letterwinners: Eric Raine (6-1, Sr., G); Brandon Thompson (6-3, Postman); Marion Gooden (5-10, Sr., G.); and David Garner (5-10, PG).
Newcomers: Tony Townsend (6-3, Sr., Postman); Marcus Hunter (6-2, Jr., postman); Larry Perrin (5-10, Jr., PG); James Wallace (6-1, Jr., G); and Larry Hubbard (5-10, G).
Outlook: Raine is the key veteran back as he averaged 16 points last season. Timken's strength appears to be quickness and ball handling. The team has several players capable of handling the ball well against a pressure defense. And although Timken lacks much height on paper, Townsend and Hunter can jump higher than expected from their 6-3 and 6-2 respective heights.
-- Vindicator staff report