BOYS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PREVIEW District schools

AUSTINTOWN FITCH

Coach: Jason Baker (2nd year, 1-20).

2009-10 record: 1-20.

OHSAA division: I.

Projected starters: Adam Nishimura (5-10 senior), Dan Chepke (6-5 junior), Dontrell Lawrence (6-0 senior), Jonas Ballard (6-1 senior), Billy Price (6-3 sophomore).

Other varsity players: Nick Williams (6-1 junior), David Anzelmo (6-2 junior), Pat Rovnak (6-0 junior), Nate Blair (6-0 junior), Travor Yacovone (6-3 junior).

Outlook: Falcons begin their final season in the Federal League with questions, like how they are going to match up with only one player taller than 6-3. Baker likes the attitude of his squad, though, and their approach to playing defense. “If we can handle adversity and continue to improve and work hard we will be better this season,” he says.

Schedule (games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted):

Dec. 3 — Howland

Dec. 7 — at Alliance

Dec. 10 — at Can. McKinley

Dec. 11 — Chaney (Covelli Centre), Noon

Dec. 17 — N. Can. Hoover

Dec. 27 — Canfield (at Poland), 6 p.m.

Dec. 29 — at Poland

Jan. 4 — Niles

Jan. 7 — at Lake

Jan. 11 — Cardinal Mooney

Jan. 14 — at Can. GlenOak

Jan. 21 — at Boardman

Jan. 28 — Mass. Perry

Jan. 29 — Hudson

Feb. 4 — Mass. Jackson

Feb. 8 — Federal League tournament

Feb. 11 — Federal League tournament

Feb. 19 — Federal League tournament

Feb. 22 — Jefferson

Feb. 25 — at East

BOARDMAN

Coach: Dan McKeown (1st year).

2009-10 record: 7-14.

OHSAA division: I.

Projected starters: David Bernardi (6-3 senior), Trae Robinson (6-3 senior), John Fithian (6-0 senior), LeAndre Jackson (6-2 senior), Dayne Hammond (6-5 junior).

Other varsity players: G.M. Passas (6-2 senior), Alex Passas (6-1 junior), Joe Markovitch (6-0 senior), TJ Irving (6-1 junior), Brian Butts (6-4 junior), Jamar Stevenson (6-1 sophomore), Nate Struharik (6-0 junior).

Outlook: Another coaching change means a transition year for the Spartans. Hammond, Robinson and DiBernardi give Boardman some presence in the middle, but not like D.J. Moore last season. Spartans are going to have find reliable scorers, something that escaped them in the second half of the 2009-10 season, when they lost nine of their last 11 games.

Schedule (games at 7:30 p.m.):

Dec. 3 — at Niles

Dec. 7 — at Campbell Memorial

Dec. 10 — at Mass. Perry

Dec. 14 — at Howland

Dec. 17 — at Can. McKinley

Dec. 21 — East

Dec. 27 — at Poland

Dec. 29 — Canfield (at Poland)

Jan. 7 — Can. GlenOak

Jan. 11 — Chaney

Jan. 14 — Mass. Jackson

Jan. 21 — Austintown Fitch

Jan. 25 — Cardinal Mooney

Jan. 28 — at N. Can. Hoover

Jan. 31 — at Neshannock

Feb. 4 — Lake

Feb. 8 — Federal League tournament

Feb. 11 — Federal League tournament

Feb. 19 — Federal League tournament (Canton Civic Center)

BROOKFIELD

Coach: Chris Fahndrich (7th year).

2009-10 record: 13-9.

OHSAA division: III.

Varsity players: Cameron Derr (5-8 senior), JC Boyer (5-11 junior), Jimmy Quinlan (6-1 sophomore), Preston Sirochman (6-8 junior), Jeremy Quinlan (6-3 sophomore), Ryan Shugarts (5-8 senior), Ryan Mosora (5-9 sophomore), Derrick Hogue (5-7 junior), Nate Rosario (5-9 senior), Collin Harkulich (6-3 sophomore), Jimmy Hawley (5-11 junior), Michael Robertson (6-3 junior), Michael Johnson (6-1 junior).

Outlook: Warriors will have to adjust to playing an independent schedule this year. This is Fahndrich’s second go around, and second consecutive year, with Brookfield, but seems optimistic about the returning players. Brookfield’s team chemistry will be one to envy, along with their work ethic this season according to Fahndrich.

Schedule (games at 7:30 p.m.):

Dec. 3 — at Springfield

Dec. 7 — at Pymatuning Valley

Dec. 14 — at Badger

Dec. 21 — LaBrae

Dec. 28 — at Columbiana

Jan. 4 — Bristol

Jan. 7 — Newton Falls

Jan. 11 — at Maplewood

Jan. 14 — at Warren JFK

Jan. 18 — Mathews

Jan. 21 — Conneaut

Jan. 25 — Champion

Jan. 28 — at Jefferson

Feb. 1 — Girard

Feb. 4 — at Heartland Christian

Feb. 8 — at Youngstown Christian

Feb. 15 — Heartland Christian

Feb. 18 — at Conneaut

Feb. 22 — Southington

Feb. 25 — East Palestine

CARDINAL MOONEY

Coach: Chris Kohl (3rd year, 27-18).

2009-10 record: 17-6.

OHSAA division: II.

Projected starters: Danny Reese (5-10 senior), Ryan Farrangher (6-1 junior), Kevin McGuire (6-0 senior), Joe Deniro (6-1 junior), Doug Caputo (6-6 sophomore).

Other varsity players: Joe Illenick (6-2 senior), PJ Quinn (6-2 junior), Emilio Villipena (6-2 junior), Donny Yankle (6-4 junior), Anthony Filo (6-0 sophomore), George Brandenstein (6-1 sophomore).

Outlook: Reese is the only returning starter for the Cardinals, who will also carry the memory of assistant coach Dave Petty. The lack of varsity experience is accompanied by a lack of size, other than Caputo, but Kohl says the Cardinals can shoot the ball. “Our full-court, man-to-man defense will be the key to our success,” says Kohl.

Schedule (games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted):

Dec. 7 — at East

Dec. 11 — Campbell Memorial (Covelli Centre), 6 p.m.

Dec. 14 — at Harding

Dec. 17 — Ursuline

Dec. 21 — East Palestine

Dec. 29 — East

Jan. 4 — at Canfield

Jan. 7 — East Liverpool

Jan. 11 — at Austintown Fitch

Jan. 14 — at Cle. Benedictine

Jan. 21 — Chaney

Jan. 25 — at Boardman

Jan. 28 — Youngstown Christian

Feb. 1 — at Ash. Lakeside

Feb. 4 — Warren JFK

Feb. 11 — at Ursuline

Feb. 12 — Akr. East

Feb. 18 — at St. Thomas Aquinas

Feb. 22 — Kennedy Catholic

Feb. 25 — at N. Can. Hoover

CHANEY

Coach: Joshua Marsh (3rd year, 13-29).

2009-10 record: 5-16.

OHSAA division: I.

Projected starters: Phillip Hudson (6-2 senior), Keondre Johnson 5-9 senior), Adam Hall (6-2 senior), Marquise Stoutemire (6-2 senior), Deonte Scott (6-3 sophomore).

Other varsity players: Dawaylon Drayton-Perry (6-0 senior), Tequille Williams (6-2 senior), Danta Bell (6-3 freshman), Marquis Cotton (5-10 freshman).

Outlook: Cowboys went from 8 to 5 wins, and with only one returning letterman — Hudson — returning from last season, Marsh is going to have to depend on several unproven youngsters this season. “Chaney will go as Phillip goes,” says Marsh. “He is an extremely hard worker and an even better leader.”

Schedule (games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted):

Dec. 3 — Hubbard

Dec. 11 — Fitch (Covelli Centre), Noon

Dec. 14 — at East Liverpool

Dec. 27 — at Brunswick Tournament

Dec. 28 — at Brunswick Tournament

Jan. 4 — East

Jan. 7 — at Heartland Christian

Jan. 11 — at Boardman

Jan. 14 — Youngstown Christian

Jan. 18 — East Liverpool

Jan. 21 — at Cardinal Mooney

Jan. 28 — at Poland

Feb. 4 — Liberty

Feb. 8 — at East

Feb. 11 — at Youngstown Christian

Feb. 15 — at East Palestine

Feb. 18 — Warren Harding

Feb. 22 — at South Range

Feb. 25 — at Ursuline

EAST

Coach: Mark Cherol (4th year, 38-24).

2009-10 record: 15-5.

OHSAA division: I.

Projected starters: Antonio Woods (6-0 senior), KeJuan Thomas (5-8 senior), Lee Johnson (6-0 senior), Terrell Riddle (6-0 senior), Joe Villanova (5-9 senior).

Other varsity players: Marcus Higgs (5-7 senior), Oshay Lawrence (5-7 senior), Michael Hornbuckle (5-10 junior), Devontae Fleetion (5-10 junior), Jaylan Maerow (6-1 sophomore), Taylor Johnson (6-1 sophomore).

Outlook: The Panthers have very little size and very little varsity experience. That’s the bad news. The good news is, Cherol likes a pressure, fast-paced style and this team seems pretty suited for that. They haven’t shown a consistent shooting performance yet, and that’s going to have to develop if the Panthers want to match last season’s win total.

Schedule (games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted):

Dec. 7 — Cardinal Mooney

Dec. 11 — East Liverpool (Covelli Centre, 2 p.m.)

Dec. 14 — Beaver Local

Dec. 17 — Massillon

Dec. 21 — at Boardman

Dec. 29 — at Cardinal Mooney

Jan. 4 — at Chaney

Jan. 7 — at Bedford Chanel

Jan. 11 — at Liberty

Jan. 14 — at Hubbard

Jan. 21 — at Ursuline

Jan. 22 — St. Thomas Aquinas

Jan. 28 — at Canfield

Feb. 1 — Hudson Western Reserve Academy

Feb. 4 — at Youngstown Christian

Feb. 8 — Chaney

Feb. 15 — at Warren Harding

Feb. 18 — Ursuline

Feb. 22 — at Warrensville Hts.

Feb. 25 — Austintown Fitch

URSULINE

Coach: Keith Gunther (8th year, 88-66).

2009-10 record: 6-14.

OHSAA division: III.

Projected starters: Ralph Naples (5-10 junior); Kryiee Gregory (5-11 senior, 8.7 ppg); Devonte Jenkins (6-6 senior, 16.5 ppg); Atiim Smith (6-6 senior, 7.5 ppg); Ryan Strollo (6-2 sophomore, 11.6 ppg).

Other varsity players: Jaylen Lowe (6-10 junior), Carlo Williams (5-10 senior), Chris Gunther (5-7 sophomore), Jeremy Rosco (6-0 sophomore), Kevin Jackson (6-4 sophomore).

Outlook: The Irish will look to have a promising year with good size and the ability to shoot. A lack of experience at the varsity level will slow them down however. Gunther believes the keys to a successful season will be defense, rebounding, and how well the Irish are able to handle pressure from other teams.

Schedule (games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted):

Dec. 11 — Berkshire (Covelli Centre), 4 p.m.

Dec. 17 — at Cardinal Mooney

Dec. 21 — St. Thomas Aquinas

Dec. 23 — Warren JFK

Dec. 27 — at East Liverpool Tournament

Dec. 28 — at East Liverpool Tournament

Jan. 7 — at Massillon

Jan. 11 — at Bedford

Jan. 15 — Akr. North

Jan. 21 — East

Jan. 22 — at Warren JFK

Jan. 25 — New Castle

Jan. 29 — at Sharon

Feb. 1 — at Kennedy Catholic

Feb. 5 — at Tol. Scott

Feb. 11 — Cardinal Mooney

Feb. 15 — at Akr. Kenmore

Feb. 18 — at East

Feb. 22 — Youngstown Christian

Feb. 25 — Chaney

WARREN HARDING

Coach: Steve Arnold (9th year, 152-35).

2009-10 record: 19-4.

OHSAA division: I.

Projected starters: Tre’ Brown (6-5 senior, 14.0 ppg); Jess Hardin (6-0 junior, 6.0 ppg); JD Parker (6-1 senior, 6.0 ppg); Shaheed Davis (6-8 junior, 7.0 ppg); Rashid Gaston (6-7 junior, 4.0 ppg).

Other varsity players: Craig McFerrin (6-7 senior), Quenten Jackson (6-1 senior), Delshawn Bell (6-4 junior), Mik’Quan Dorsey (6-1 sophomore).

Outlook: Harding will be one of the tallest teams in the area, averaging a 6-4 starting lineup. Brown will return as the high scorer for Harding, but a lack of varsity experience will be an issue in for them in the Lake Erie League. Arnold is excited with the work habits and has high expectations for this team.

Schedule (games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted):

Dec. 4 — at Mentor

Dec. 10 — Shaker Heights

Dec. 11 — Erie Strong Vincent (Covelli Centre), 8 p.m.

Dec. 14 — Cardinal Mooney

Dec. 17 — at Cleveland Heights

Dec. 22 — Can. Timken

Dec. 28 — Akr. SVSM

Jan. 8 — at Can. McKinley

Jan. 15 — at Can. GlenOak

Jan. 18 — Boardman

Jan. 21 — Euclid

Jan. 22 — at Cle. St. Ignatius

Jan. 25 — at Brush

Jan. 29 — Mentor

Feb. 4 — at Shaker Heights

Feb. 5 — Mansfield

Feb. 11 — Cleveland Heights

Feb. 15 — East

Feb. 18 — at Chaney

Feb. 25 — at Euclid

WARREN JFK

Coach: Shawn Pompelia (4th year, 47-21).

2009-10 record: 4-17.

OHSAA division: IV.

Varsity players: Michael Fredericka (6-2 senior), Carl Broadbent (5-11 senior), Martae Hainesworth (6-0 senior), James Rossi (6-2 senior), Alex Kovalik (6-2 senior), Simon Vilsack (5-11 senior), Brenden Cox (5-10 junior), Andrew Kovalik (5-11 junior), Raitwann Gaston (6-1 junior), Tyler Moten (5-10 junior), Connor Jones (6-2 sophomore), Dominic Naples (5-11 sophomore), Robert Segar (5-11 sophomore), Nick Donkers (6-2 sophomore), John Hilty (6-2 sophomore), Brian Turner (5-11 sophomore).

Outlook: Pompelia looks to rebuild the program at Kennedy this year on three core principles: family, first class, and hard work. “The young men have demonstrated the ability to learn and the willingness to listen to improve their basketball skills,” says Pompelia. After a 4-17 season last year, Pompelia feels he needs his team to finish games and to believe in the system and trust one another to be successful this year.

Schedule (games at 7:30 p.m.):

Dec. 3 — Grand Valley

Dec. 10 — Girard

Dec. 11 — at Champion

Dec. 17 — Howland

Dec. 21 — at Kennedy Catholic

Dec. 23 — at Ursuline

Dec. 28 — Maplewood

Jan. 4 — Mathews

Jan. 7 — Youngstown Christian

Jan. 14 — Brookfield

Jan. 18 — at Newton Falls

Jan. 22 — Ursuline

Jan. 25 — at Grand River Academy

Jan. 29 — at Sharpsville

Feb. 1 — at Youngstown Christian

Feb. 4 — at Cardinal Mooney

Feb. 8 — at Pymatuning Valley

Feb. 12 — Southington

Feb. 15 — at Windham

Feb. 18 — South Range

WEST BRANCH

Coach: John Hancock (2nd year, 5-16).

2009-10 record: 5-16.

OHSAA division: II.

Projected starters: Austen Rekolt (5-8 junior, 1.2 ppg); Chad Apple (6-4 senior, 0.5 ppg); Tylor Rockwell (6-3 senior, 13.3 ppg); Matt Latham (6-3 junior); Brandon Ferguson (6-8 senior, 6.5 ppg).

Other varsity players: Luke Butcher (6-0 senior), Daniel Christy (6-0 senior), Mike Underwood (6-1 senior), Scott Muckleroy (6-2 junior), Jake Griffith (6-5 sophomore), Troy James (6-0 sophomore), Drake Lohnes (5-8 sophomore).

Outlook: The Warriors will have to replace two starters who averaged close to 10 points last season from graduation, and lose Ferguson to a knee injury late in football. West Branch returns six letterman and had some other players work hard in the off-season to compete for playing time. “We should be more athletic this season with more players contributing off the bench,” says Hancock. “We must rebound better and cut down our turnovers if we want to be successful and competitive in the Northeastern Buckeye Conference,” he added.

Schedule (games at 7:30 p.m.):

Dec. 3 — United

Dec. 7 — at Southeast

Dec. 10 — at Alliance

Dec. 17 — at Can. South

Dec. 21 — Carrollton

Dec. 28 — Marlington

Jan. 4 — at Louisville

Jan. 7 — Minerva

Jan. 14 — Northwest

Jan. 18 — Alliance

Jan. 21 — Can. South

Jan. 25 — at East Liverpool

Jan. 28 — at Carrollton

Feb. 1 — at Marlington

Feb. 4 — Louisville

Feb. 11 — at Minerva

Feb. 15 — St. Thomas Aquinas

Feb. 18 — at Northwest

Feb. 22 — Poland

Feb. 25 — at Salem

YOUNGSTOWN CHRISTIAN

Coach: Dolph Carroll (4th year, 59-13).

2009-10 record: 22-2.

OHSAA division: IV.

Projected starters: Anthony Walker (6-5 senior, 10.2 ppg, Spencer Carroll (6-4 junior), Louis Lee (6-0 junior), Jordan McDowell (6-1 junior), DeVaughn Townsend (5-8 senior).

Other varsity players: Daylen Williams (5-10 sophomore), Nate Watson (5-9 senior), Chris Rios (5-9 senior), Nick Gonda (6-3 sophomore), Nick Hartman (6-2 junior), Anthony Abeid (5-8 junior), Demetrus Anderson (6-2 sophomore).

Outlook: The good news: the Eagles have great size for a Division IV team. The bad: not much else, including experience. Walker returns as a double-figure scorer, but the rest of the team is going to have to learn on the job. Carroll likes his team speed and quickness, so expect some full-court action, but they’ve yet to rebound and defend to the coach’s liking.

Schedule (games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted):

Dec. 3 — at East Palestine

Dec. 7 — at Columbiana

Dec. 10 — Euclid New Day Academy, 7 p.m.

Dec. 13 — Hudson WRA

Dec. 15 — Grand River Academy

Dec. 17 — at Lake Center Christian

Dec. 21 — at Springfield

Dec. 23 — at Heritage Christian

Jan. 4 — Lake Center Christian

Jan. 7 — at Warren JFK

Jan. 14 — at Chaney

Jan. 25 — Mathews

Jan. 28 — at Cardinal Mooney

Feb. 1 — Warren JFK

Feb. 4 — East

Feb. 8 — Brookfield

Feb. 11 — Chaney

Feb. 15 — Heritage Christian

Feb. 22 — at Ursuline

Feb. 25 — at Newton Falls

‚àöEast Liverpool and Heartland Christian did not respond to requests for information.