METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE Boys basketball preview

CANFIELD
Coach: John Cullen (28th season, 389-171).2004-05 record: 16-7.Who's gone: Jordan Ferns (first team All-MAC).Who's back: Kyle Melewski, 6-0, sr.; Mike Rounsavall, 6-5, sr.; Troy Gessner, 6-7, sr.; Gurpreet Singh, 6-5, sr.; Kyle Schuchler, 5-11, sr.; Sean Baker, 6-1, jr.; Frank Ross, 6-0, sr.Who's new: Joe Carbon, 6-3, jr.; Joe Fox, 6-2, jr.; C.J. Morris, 5-9, sr.; Joe Beach, Alex Suick, Matt Firestone, Mike Hochel.Outlook: The Cardinals are experienced, but must get better at discipline and consistency.
HOWLAND
Coach: Don Andres (first season, 118-97).2004-05 record: 6-15.Who's back: Dario Hadzovic, 6-7, sr., w/p; Greg Hawes, 6-8, sr., p; Sean Gerin, 6-0, jr., p; Ben Leece, 6-2, sr., w/p; Jared Bartholomew, 5-11, sr., w/p.Who's new: Tony Pozega, 6-2, sr., w; Tom Hileman, 6-0, sr., w/p; Nathan Cope, 5-10, so., w/p; Nathan Salter, 6-0, so., w; Mike Johnson, 6-2, sr., w/p; Zack Byler, 6-1, jr., w/p.Outlook: Andres last coached at Howland in 1986. The Tigers must adapt to the new system, get stronger, improve on defense and cut down on turnovers.
NILES
Coach: Ron Price (seventh season, 70-62).2005-05 record: 10-10, 5-7 MAC.Who's gone: Jake Schimley.Who's back: Bill French, 6-2, sr., g; Andrew Cleary, 5-9, sr., g; Joe Razzano, 5-10, sr., g; Justin Shelton, 5-7, sr., g; Justin Allen, 6-2, jr., g; Sean Cleary, 5-11, jr., g.Who's new: Vince Caicco, 5-8, jr., g; Larry Sussman, 6-4, so. f.Outlook: The Red Dragons have experience at guard, good senior leadership and improved depth.
POLAND
Coach: Ken Grisdale (13th season, 192-84).2004-05 record: 21-3, 11-1 MAC.Who's gone: Chad Fender (three-time MAC Player of the Year); Jim Shurilla (two-time first team MAC); Cameron Marchese, Luke Blangero.Who's back: Louis Coppola, 6-8, jr., c; Daniel Bennett, 6-5, sr., f; Dom Schneider, 6-5, sr., f.Who's new: Bryan Wilder, sr., f; Korey Young, jr., f; Brad Brocker, jr.; Anthony DeFelice, so., g; Charlie Carchedi, jr., g; Chris Lowell, jr., g; Ben Umbel, so., g.Outlook: The Bulldogs have veterans back inside, but will have inexperienced guards when the season opens.
SALEM
Coach: Jeff Brink (3rd season, 112-46).2004-05 record: 10-13.Who's back: Tom Jesko, 6-3, sr., g; Jarin Heath, 5-10, sr., g; Tyler Pierce, 6-4, sr., f; Adam Hickey, 5-9, sr., g; Ryan Benchwick, 6-6, sr., c; Buddy Cramer, 6-5, sr., f; Austen Hutton, 5-7, so., g; Steve Jeckavitch, 5-10, sr., g.Who's new: Sean McKee, 6-1, jr.; Josh Dankovich, 6-0, jr.; Greg Woolman, 6-7, jr.Outlook: The Quakers return their entire squad from last season, which was the first Salem boys team to win a sectional title in 15 years.
STRUTHERS
Coach: John Corey (third season, 9-34).2004-05 record: 6-16.Who's gone: Dave Mathews.Who's back: Mike Duponty, 6-3, jr., f; Matt Kukura, 5-9, sr., g; Chris Kadvan, 6-3, SR., f.Who's new: John Vlosich, 6-5, jr., f; Eric Krestel, 5-9, sr., g; R.J. Ragan, 6-0, so., g; Jordon Morell, 5-9, so., g; Matt Wilson, 6-1, jr., f; Andy Sepesy, 6-1, jr., g.Outlook: The Wildcats expect to play solid team defense as they try to improve on last year's record.