STEEL VALLEY CONFERENCE Boys basketball preview

CHANEY
Coach: Bernard Bolha (first season)2004-05 record: 3-18.Who's back: Dominique Peake, Antonio Fitzgerald, Evan Busch.Who's new: John Lard, Corey Council, Sir Franklin, Victor Toney, William McKinley.Outlook: The Cowboys will rely on their quickness and aggressiveness to improve on last season's record.
RAYEN
Coach: Jason McCray (first season)2004-05 record: 8-13, 4-2.Who's gone: Dom Crosby (University of Cincinnati); O'dell Eargle (transferred to Warren Harding).Who's back: Justin Queener, 6-5, sr., f.Who's new: Matt Gordon, 6-4 sr., g/f; Jamayle Rowland, 5-10, soph., pg; Tomaz Hilton, 6-4, jr., g/f; Troy Rice, 6-0, sr., pg/f; Dean Logan, 5-10, jr., g; Mario Wokosha, 6-4, sr., f; Gary Thornton, 5-8, soph., pg.Outlook: The Tigers are quick and athletic but lack varsity experience. Outside shooting is a concern.
WILSON
Coach: Mark Cherol (ninth season, 47-138).2004-05 record: 5-16.Who's gone: Walter Duncan, Bert Pritchard.Who's back: Justin Maxwell (6-1 senior, 10 ppg), William Johnson (6-1 junior), Keith Tubbs (5-9 junior).Who's new: Glenn Brown, 6-0, sr. (transfer from Chaney); Andre Harris, 5-9, sr.Outlook: The Redmen have good team quickness but must improve defense and ball-handling to be successful.
URSULINE
Coach: Keith Gunther (third season, 27-17).2004-05 record: 18-4.Who's gone: Terry Vidale, Dave Simon, Carey Palermo, Edwin Smith.Who's back: Jerome Jones, Nick McCartney, D'Aundray Brown.Who's new: Billy Jones, Lance Randall, Jason White, Kyle Muir.Outlook: The Irish count on defense and good perimeter shooting to be successful. Depth is a concern.
MOONEY
Coach: Steve Leslie (first season)2004-05 record: 5-17.Who's back: Jaron Howell, 6-2, sr., g; Nate Hamilton 6-4, sr., c; Danny Thomas, 6-1, sr., g; Pat Kelley, 6-1, sr., f; Desmond Marrow, 6-3, sr., g. Tony Brunetti, 6-3, jr., f; L.J. Sutton, 6-4, soph., f; Dan McCarthy, 6-1, soph., g; Mike Zordich, 6-2, soph., f.Who's new: Jose Morales, 6-3, jr., f; Flint Franklin, 6-0, jr., g; Mark Thomas, 6-0, jr., g; Brandon Beachum, 6-2, soph., f; Tim Marlowe, 5-11, soph., g.Outlook: The Cardinals will have a lot of experience with nine lettermen back that should help them improve on last year's record. They could struggle early since many top players were on the football team.
WARREN HARDING
Coach: Steven Arnold (fourth season, 56-12).2004-05 record: 22-2.Who's gone: Mario Manningham, Steve Williams, Bruce Allen.Who's back: Bryan Wright, 5-9, sr., g; Roddy Fuller, 6-4, sr., g.Who's New: O'dell Eargle, 6-7, sr., c; Damion Eargle, 6-8, soph., f; Pat White, 6-5, sr., f; Ta'shon Williams, 6-1, sr., f, Chris Henderson, 6-6, soph., c.Outlook: The Raiders have experience at the guard position and some size, but lack varsity experience. Still, they're among the preseason favorites to win the league.
WARREN JFK
Coach: Shawn Pompelia (2nd season).2004-05 record: 13-9.Who's gone: Joe Cicchillo, T.J. Grover, James Pantelis.Who's back: Marc Rossi, Jonathan Townsend, Stephan Flanagan, Anthony Elzy.Who's new: TaShawn Walker, Nick Moody, Desmar Jackson.Outlook: The Eagles will bank on their athletic ability, intelligence and team speed, along with team rebounding and chemistry to be successful.