INTER-COUNTY LEAGUE Boys basketball preview

MINERAL RIDGE
Coach: Del Ruiter (6th season, 51-58)2004-05 record: 11-10, 7-5Who's gone: Dave Gillie, Tim Grantz, Bill Harris, Levi LeighWho's back: Josh Garland (senior guard, 4.2 ppg, 0.8 apg, 1.4 spg); Vance Keirsey (senior forward, 17.7 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.9 spg, all-state special mention); Micah Hall (senior forward, 7.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.0 spg); John Hack (senior forward, 4.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.7 spg); Nick Diana (senior guard, 9.8 ppg, 3.0 apg, 2.5 spg); Wade Campbell (senior guard, 5.6 ppg, 3.1 apg, 1.9 spg); Mike McRoberts (senior forward, 0.5 ppg)Who's new: Nick Dominic (junior guard), Dan Hawout (junior forward, transfer from McDonald)Outlook: Strengths are experience (seven seniors and five returning starters), depth and quickness. A weakness is lack of height. Ruiter feels Mineral Ridge and Springfield are the ICL favorites, while McDonald, Lowellville and Western Reserve are contenders.
SEBRING
Coach: Brian Clark (7th season, 110-32).
2004-05 record: 22-2, TCL, sectional, district, champs.
Who's gone: Joe James, Dan Scarpitti, Matt Ferguson, Joe Amabeli.
Who's back: Jesse James, 5-10, jr., g.
Who's new: Jon Springer, 6-0, sr., f; Michael Weekly, 5-9, jr., g; Zach Dalton, 5-8, jr., g; Brennen Burd, 6-0, jr., f; Jake Scott, 5-7, so., g; Zach Tieche, 5-11, so., f; Stephen Rastetter, 6-0, fr., f.
Outlook: The Trojans were hit hard by graduation, losing four of their top five players from last year's district championship team. They will need to rely on tradition and hard work to compete.
SOUTH RANGE
Coach: Jeff Hammond (2nd season).
2004-05 record: 7-14.
Who's gone: John Less, Brian Crawford.
Who's back: Dan Holloway, 6-0, sr., g; David Maxwell, 5-9, jr., g; Josh Less, 5-8, jr., g; Mike Leskosky, 6-1, sr., f; David Rach, 6-2, jr., f.
Who's new: Steve Whitfield, 6-0, sr., g; Zach Bierdeman, 5-10, jr., g; Scott Yeagley, 6-1, jr., c; Jeremy Oddo, 6-0, jr., f; Jeff Pilcher, 6-2, jr., c; Sean Seidler, 5-9, jr., g.
Outlook: With five returning lettermen, the Raiders are optimistic they can improve on last year's mark.
SPRINGFIELD
Coach: Grant Spaite (3rd season, 27-17).
2004-05 record: 15-8.
Who's gone: Luke Summers, Aaron Wood, Mason McCambridge.
Who's back: Zach DeJane, 6-8, sr. (first-team ICL, second team district, honorable mention All-Ohio); Andrew Schuler, 6-3, sr.; Dane Dobson, 5-9, jr.; Jeremy Russell, 5-9, jr.; Dave McClearn, 6-0, sr.
Who's new: Mike Kampfer, 6-0, sr.; Corey Cunningham, 6-1, jr.; Jeremy Savaet, 6-1, jr.; Bobby Rogers, 6-3, jr.; Nate Schuler, 6-2, so.
Outlook: The Tigers have some experience, size and a good core of seniors. They will need to be consistent to be successful.
WESTERN RESERVE
Coach: Steve Miller (5th season, 46-63).
2004-05 record: 9-12, 6-6 ICL.
Who's gone: Dave Ferrando, Brock Christie.
Who's back: Jeff Zatchok, 6-6, sr., g; Joe Petro, 6-4, sr., c; Chris Tofilski, 6-4, jr., c; Clay Jones, 6-4, jr., f; Chris Truitt, 6-2, jr., f.
Who's new: Dave Drevna, 6-2, jr., f; Nick Lude, 5-9, jr., g; John Porterfield, 6-2, jr., g; Steve Stack, 5-7, jr., g; Jerod Barker, 6-1, jr., g.
Outlook: The Blue Devils will attempt to dominate the boards with their overall size. The gap left by graduation has the team trying to find a solid ball handler and outside shooter.
XJackson-Milton, Lowellville and McDonald did not return questionnaires.