High school preview \ District boys basketball

YOUNGSTOWN CHRISTIAN

Coach: Dolph Carroll, second season 2007-08 record: 15-7 Projected starters: Olonzo Johnson, 6-2, Sr. forward, 13.4 ppg; John Pecchia, 6-1, Jr. guard, 11.5 ppg; Caleb Yanno, 5-8, Jr. guard, 5.1 ppg; Victor Shaw, 6-0, Jr. guard, 9.7 ppg; Anthony Walker, 6-5, So. forward, 2.8 ppg. Other varsity players: Joe Napier, 6-3, Jr. forward; Dante Yanno, 5-8, Jr. guard; Bobby Schmid, 5-10, Jr. forward; Torrell Grier, 5-6, Jr. guard; Jose Echevestre, 5-10, Sr. forward; Carlen Sims, 5-10, Sr. forward; Nate Watson, 5-9, So. guard; DeVaughn Townsend, 5-8, So. guard; Jordan McDowell, 5-11, Fr. forward; Louis Lee, 6-0, Fr. forward. Outlook: The Eagles return three starters and they will have speed and quickness at the guards and forwards. Lack of varsity experience could be a factor.

BRISTOL

Coach: Mark Mollohan, first season 2007-08 record: 2-18 Projected starters: Justin Champan, 5-10, So. guard; Zach Elza, 5-11, Jr. guard; Chris Collins, 6-0, Jr. guard; Andrew Holko, 6-1, So. forward; John Evans, 6-1, Sr. forward. Other varsity players: Tyler Olliver, 5-10, Jr. guard; Josh Double, 6-0, So. forward; Ray Garstecdk, 6-3, Jr. forward; Kyle McIntosh, 6-3, Jr. center; John Williams, 5-10, Sr. guard; Cody McGann, 5-9, Jr. guard.

Outlook: Seven of the top eight players are underclassmen and they lack height and experience so Bristol will count on speed, athleticism and outside shooting this season.

LORDSTOWN

Coach: Ron Purnell, third season (22-21) 2007-08 record: 9-12 Projected starters: Brian Whitfield, Sr.; Billy Wright, So.; Steve Cribley, So.; Mike Shaffer, So.; Chris Polivka, Jr. Other varsity players: Mike Vigorito, So.; Joe Fitzgibbons, Jr.; Jordan Prox, Jr.; Robbie Ensign, So.; Zack Wells, Fr.; Kyle Conrad, Sr. Outlook: The team’s success will be determined by how well the young players work together as a team and will they dedicate themselves to playing solid defense.

WEST BRANCH

Coach: Mike Falasca, sixth season (60-51) 2007-08 record: 14-10 Projected starters: Chad Butcher, 6-2, Sr. wing; Matt Tafe, 5-10, Sr. point guard; Evan Campbell, 5-11, Sr. guard; Chance Young, 6-3, Sr. post; Greg Hamlon, 6-1, Sr. wing. Other varsity players: Joey Schlueter, 5-10, Jr. wing; Jake Gonci, 6-3, Jr. post; Brian Snoddy, 5-9, Jr. guard; Mike Smith, 5-10, Jr. guard ; Tyler Rockwell, 6-2, So. post. Outlook: Having graduated seven seniors, the Warriors are inexperienced, but are hard-working, dedicated athletes that are learning and getting better.

SOUTHEAST

Coach: Matt Dillon, first season Projected starters: Thomas Smith, 5-11, Jr. guard, 5 ppg; Joe DeJacimo, 5-10, So. guard, 3 ppg; Zac Meluch, 5-11, Sr. forward, 4 ppg; Nick Phillips, 6-2, Jr. forward, 8 ppg; Ozzie Thomas, 6-3, Sr. center, 10 ppg. Other varsity players: Joe Le-Mon, 5-11, Sr. guard, 5 ppg; Matt Welch, 6-1, Sr. forward; Patrick Clark, 6-1, Jr. forward; Jordan Hill, 6-0, Jr. forward; David White, 5-10, Jr. guard. Outlook: The Pirates should shoot the ball well from the perimeter, but must play smart at all times and focus on rebounding.

SCHEDULES

All varsity games 7:30 p.m., unless noted

YOUNGSTOWN CHRISTIAN: Dec. 5 — Heartland Christian; Dec. 6 — at Jackson-Milton; Dec. 9 — at Columbiana; Dec. 11 — Hudson Western Reserve Academy; Dec. 12 — at Lake Center Christian; Dec. 19 — Canton Heritage Christian; Dec. 23 — Leetonia; Dec. 27 — East Palestine; Jan. 2 — East; Jan. 6 — at Mooney; Jan. 9 — Chaney; Jan. 16 — at Canton Heritage Christian; Jan. 20 — at Leetonia; Jan. 23 — Warren Christian; Jan. 27 — at East; Jan. 31 — Lake Center Christian; Feb. 3 — at Chaney; Feb. 7 — at JFK; Feb. 13 — at Heartland Christian; Feb. 17 — Lowellville

WEST BRANCH: Dec. 5 — United; Dec. 9 — at Southeast; Dec. 12 — Carrollton; Dec. 16 — at Minerva; Dec. 19 — at Canal Fulton NW; Dec. 30 — Can. South; Jan. 2 — at Louisville; Jan. 6 — at Alliance; Jan. 9 — Marlington; Jan. 16 — at Carrollton; Jan. 20 — Akr. Springfield; Jan. 23 — Minerva; Jan. 27 — Canal Fulton NW; Jan. 30 — at Can. South; Feb. 6 — Louisville; Feb. 13 — Alliance; Feb. 17 — at Mass. Jackson; Feb. 20 — at Marlington; Feb. 24 — St. Thomas Aquinas; Feb. 27 — at Salem

SOUTHEAST: Dec. 5 — at Garrettsville Garfield; Dec. 9 — West Branch; Dec. 12 — at Ravenna; Dec. 16 — Kent Roosevelt; Dec. 19 — at Akr. Coventry; Dec. 27 — Newton Falls; Jan. 3 — Mogadore Field; Jan. 9 — Norton; Jan. 13 — at Crestwood; Jan. 16 — at Akr. Springfield; Jan. 20 — at Marlington; Jan. 23 — Ravenna; Jan. 27 — at Kent Roosevelt; Jan. 30 — Akr. Coventry; Feb. 6 — at Mogadore Field; Feb. 10 — at Rootstown; Feb. 13 — at Norton; Feb. 17 — Waterloo; Feb. 20 — Crestwood; Feb. 27 — Akr. Springfield

EAST LIVERPOOL: Dec. 5 — at Cleve. Max Hayes; Dec. 9 — East; Dec. 14 — Orrville (College of Wooster), 2 p.m.; Dec. 16 — Mooney; Dec. 13 — at Martins Ferry; Dec. 26-27 — Potter Classic; Jan. 3 — at New Philadelphia; Jan. 6 — at Oak Glen (W. Va.); Jan. 13 — Brooke (W. Va.); Jan. 16 — at Mooney; Jan. 20 — at Chaney; Jan. 23 — at Beaver Local; Jan. 27 — Linsly (W. Va.); Jan. 30 — Oak Glen (W. Va.); Feb. 3 — at Brooke (W. Va.); Feb. 6 — Steubenville; Feb. 10 — Martins Ferry

BRISTOL: Dec. 5 — at Mathews; Dec. 9 — at Maplewood; Dec. 12 — Lordstown; Dec. 19 — Southington; Dec. 23 — at Champion; Dec. 27 — Garrettsville Garfield; Dec. 30 — at Windham; Jan. 2 — Sebring; Jan. 6 — at Badger; Jan. 9 — at Bloomfield; Jan. 13 — Ledgemont; Jan. 20 — at Southington; Jan. 23 — Maplewood; Jan. 27 — at Pymatuning Valley; Jan. 30 — Badger; Feb. 3 — Bloomfield; Feb. 6 — at Ledgemont; Feb. 10 — at Lordstown; Feb. 13 — Pymatuning Valley; Feb. 20 — Mathews

LORDSTOWN: Dec. 5 — at Sebring; Dec. 9 — at Badger; Dec. 12 — at Bristol; Dec. 13 — Jackson-Milton; Dec. 16 — Southington; Dec. 19 — Bloomfield; Dec. 27 — Mineral Ridge; Jan. 3 — at Newton Falls; Jan. 6 — at Ledgemont; Jan. 9 — at Maplewood; Jan. 13 — Pymatuning Valley; Jan. 16 — at Southington; Jan. 23 — Badger; Jan. 27 — at Mathews; Jan. 30 — Ledgemont; Feb. 3 — Maplewood; Feb. 6 — at Pymatuning Valley; Feb. 10 — Bristol; Feb. 13 — Mathews; Feb. 19 — at Bloomfield