High School basketball previews

BOYS BASKETBALL

INTER TRI-COUNTY LEAGUE

TIER ONE

Crestview Rebels (Div. III)

Coach: Herman Miller (129-107 overall; 49-38, fifth season).

2012-13 record: 14-9.

Projected starters: Collin Gilbert (5-10, G, Sr., 11 ppg), Robert Logan (6-3, F, Sr., 20 ppg), Josh McDade (6-2, F, Sr., 9 ppg), Eric Lloyd (6-4, C, Jr.), Enzo Lucci (6-0, G, Sr.).

Outlook: The Rebels have had three consecutive winning seasons, but are still looking for their first league title since 2000. Their top three scorers from last season return, including Gilbert and McDade, who led the football team deep into the playoffs. There could be a hangover effect before they can get into basketball mode.

Lisbon Blue Devils (Div. III)

Coach: Chris Huckshold (35-54, fifth season).

2012-13 record: 10-14.

Projected starters: Matt Spencer (6-3, F, Sr., 7.8 ppg), Avery Andric (6-2, G, So., 6.6 ppg), Austen Rutecki (6-3, G, So., 10.9 ppg), Josh Craig (6-3, G, So., 9.0 ppg), Josh Liberati (5-11, G, So., 8.3 ppg).

Outlook: The Blue Devils will be extremely young this year, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be good. They return a good percentage of their scoring from last season, but six of their top nine players are sophomores, which concerns Huckshold. Those players developing a chemistry will be key to success.

Springfield Tigers (Div. III)

Coach: Eric Fender (61-29, fifth season).

2012-13 record: 17-7 (ITCL Tier One champions).

Projected starters: Jake Ohlin (5-10, G, Sr., 2.8 ppg), Joe Wrask (6-0, G-F, Sr., 3.6 ppg), Mark Schuler (6-5, F-C, Jr., 11.3 ppg), Brandon Chamberlain (6-2, G-F, Jr., 7.5 ppg).

Outlook: The Tigers enter the season with great depth, including four returning lettermen. What concerns Fender is the lack of experience his underclassmen have at the varsity level. If this group can learn their roles and play to each others strengths, team chemistry shouldn’t be an issue.

United Eagles (Div. III)

Coach: Matt Mowery (third season).

2012-13 record: 2-20.

Projected starters: Caleb Berdine (6-0, PG, So., 4.6 ppg), Caleb Conser (5-11, G, Sr., 8.1 ppg), Braden Davison (6-1, G, Jr., 6.9 ppg), Colton Antram (6-1, F, So.), Eric Blosser (6-2, F, Jr.).

Outlook: What Mowery hopes to do in his third season leading the Eagles is teach his team how to win. Now that he’s built the program to a point where it can compete on a nightly basis, doing the little things right at the end of games will be important. Rebounding will be a major issue for the Eagles this season, as they have nobody taller than 6-foot-2 on their roster.

TIER TWO

Leetonia Bears (Div. IV)

Coach: Eric Whitmer (9-13, second season).

2012-13 record: 9-13.

Projected starters: Trent Ferry (5-10, G, Jr., 20.1 ppg), Josh Faulkner (5-11, G, Jr., 4.3 ppg), James Shea (6-2, F, Sr., 1 ppg), Isaac Stecker (6-1, F, Fr.), Drew Turney (6-2, C, Jr.).

Outlook: The Bears return leading scorer Trent Ferry, but lack experience other than that. Size could become an issue without a true big man on their roster. Leetonia will need another scorer to step up if they hope to improve from last season.

Mineral Ridge Rams (Div. IV)

Coach: Chris Kohl (59-52 overall, second season).

2012-13 record: 15-9.

Projected starters: Jonathan Baker (6-0, PG, Sr.), Corey Phillips (6-0, G, Sr., 10 ppg), Zac Hagy (6-4, F, Sr., 16 ppg), Brandon Perkins (6-3, F, Sr., 10 ppg), Ryan Nutter (6-8, C, Sr., 8 ppg).

Outlook: With four returning starters, and a senior-led lineup, Mineral Ridge is in position to have a very good season. The Rams have the experience, speed and athleticism to play with any team in the league.

Southern Indians (Div. III)

Coach: George Whittaker (11th season).

2012-13 record: 16-7.

Projected starters: Jared Shilot (6-2, F, Sr.), MJ Williams (6-0, G, Sr.), Troy Holden (6-1, G, So.), Tim Thrasher (6-0, G, Sr.), Caleb Gotschall (6-7, C, Sr.).

Outlook: The Indians have to replace four starters this season, but do have some seniors ready to fill the void. If Whittaker can get a regular rotation of guys who can contribute on a consistent basis, success should follow. Gotschall stands at 6-foot-7 and could be a matchup nightmare.

Western Reserve Blue Devils (Div. IV)

Coach: Patsy Daltorio (first season).

2012-13 record: 9-15.

Projected starters: Nick Tobin (6-3, F, Sr., 5 ppg), Joseph Falasca (6-4, F, Jr., 6 ppg), Nolan Snyder (6-1, G-F, Jr., 10 ppg).

Outlook: With the success of the Blue Devils football team, Western Reserve will be short-handed to start the basketball season. Once the two-sport players can get into basketball shape and get back to playing together, Daltorio will have some work to do to get them to a winning level.

NORTHEASTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

Bristol Panthers (Div. IV)

Coach: Craig Giesy (36-10, second season).

2012-13 record: 24-1, 13-0 Northeastern Athletic Conference.

Projected starters: Johnny Simcox (5-9, G, Sr., 7.4 ppg), Brandon Lee (6-0, G, Sr., 16.4 ppg), Alex Jones (6-2, G-F, So., 3.1 ppg), Zeth Tomasiak 5-7, G, Jr., 6.6 ppg), Aaron Williams (6-2, F, Jr., 1.7 ppg).

Outlook: The Panthers are led by three-year varsity starter Lee, who’s a versatile scorer that can dish it out as well. They are very deep with returning starters Tomasiak and Jones, both underclassmen. Giesy feels his bench must be a factor for the Panthers to have success.

Grand Valley Mustangs (Div. III)

Coach: Matthew Brumit (first season).

2012-13 record: 4-19.

Projected starters: Jake Vormelker (6-0, F, Sr., 15.1 ppg), Gabe Kovats (5-10, G, Sr., 6.5 ppg), Zack Oscar (6-2, F, Jr., 1.5 ppg), Matt Larned (5-10, G, So., 1.7 ppg), Ray Marsch (6-1, C, Sr., 3.0).

Outlook: The Mustangs have a good balance of upperclassmen and underclassmen, so building a more consistent program will be priority number one for Brumit. That said, this year could be tough. The good news for Grand Valley is its leading scorer from a year ago, Vormelker, returns and should provide a main scoring threat.

Maplewood Rockets (Div. IV)

Coach: Nathan Kish (50-38, second season).

2012-13 record: 17-7.

Pojected starters: Kevin Jones (6-2, G, Sr., 10.2 ppg), Luke Evan (6-0, G, Sr., 9.9 ppg), Luke Urchek (6-2, G, Sr., 7.9 ppg), Nate Spitler (5-10, G, Jr., 9.8 ppg), Ethan Obradovich (6-3, F, Sr., 9.9 ppg).

Outlook: The Rockets return seven lettermen and will once again have a balanced scoring attack with all five starters averaging close to double digits. Kish wants his team to reduce turnovers and toughen up on the defensive end this season.

Mathews Mustangs

Coach: Jason Lee (fourth season, 37-31).

2012-13 record: 9-15.

Projected starters: Tommy Sharp (5-10, PG, jr.), Corey Savic (5-10, G, jr.), Cobie Pratt (5-10, G, jr.), Wyatt Ford (6-3, F, sr.), Terryance Rogan (6-2, F, sr.).

Outlook: Lee says the Mustangs have a deeper bench and are faster. He sees Windham as the best team in the Northeastern Athletic Conference.

Pymatuning Valley Lakers (Div. III)

Coach: Ryan Shontz (first season).

2012-13 record: 18-6.

Projected starters: Quintin Ratliff (6-3, G, Sr.), Chase Thurber (6-3, G, Jr.), Cody Bell (6-0, G, Sr.), Travis Kiser (6-0, F, Jr.), Tim Baker (6-5, F, Sr.).

Outlook: The Lakers have a bunch of upperclassmen to lead the way. Only problem is not many of them have experience at the varsity level. They have some height, which should be an advantage, but improving on an 18-6 season could be tough for Shontz.

Southington Wildcats (Div. IV)

Coach: Michael Karr (143-107, 12th season).

2012-13 record: 5-17.

Projected starters: Eric Wilson (5-10, G, So., 10 ppg), Jake Zolna (5-8, G, Sr., 17 ppg), Travis Lehmann (6-0, G, So., 5 ppg), Tommy Hall (6-4, F, So., 7 ppg), Brendan Baugher (5-11, F, Sr., 5 ppg).

Outlook: After a disappointing season last year, the Wildcats return seven lettermen and hope to improve on that experience. They’re led by their guard play with two starters averaging double digit points.

Windham Bombers (Div. IV)

Coach: Marty Hill (581-293, 38th season).

2012-13 record: 23-3, 14-0 (Portage Trail Conference champions).

Projected starters: Jared Taylor (5-9, PG, Sr., 8.2 ppg), Dillon Blewitt (5-9, G, Jr.), Stephen Kacenski (6-2, F, Sr., 7.1 ppg), Jonah Konzen (6-4, F, Sr., 5.0 ppg), Parker Rickey (6-2, F, Jr., 14.2 ppg).

Outlook: The Bombers must replace Matt Knight and Cameron Pozsgai, who were the catalysts for a championship run. They return three starters, as well as last year’s sixth man off the bench and should once again have excellent perimeter shooting. The Bombers join the Northeastern Athletic Conference this season, so new competition will bring new challenges.

INDEPENDENTS

Ursuline Irish (Div. III)

Coach: Keith Gunther (127-67).

2012-13 record: 13-12 (lost in district final).

Projected starters: Desmond McElroy (5-11, G, Sr., 14.5 ppg), Greg Parella (5-11, G, So., 6.5 ppg), Gino Naples (6-4, C, Sr.), David Collins (6-0, G-F, So., 5.5 ppg), Mark Hughes (6-2, G-F, Jr., 8.0 ppg).

Outlook: Despite losing six seniors, the Irish still have plenty of production returning from a team that lost in last year’s district final. The back court tandem will be McElroy and Parella, who contributed 21 ppg last season. A tough schedule and lack of experience could hinder the Irish early in the season.

Warren Harding Raiders (Div. I)

Coach: Andy Vlajkovich (13-10, second season).

2012-13 record: 13-10.

Projected starters: Anthony Bell (6-2, G, Sr., 15.5 ppg), King Garner (6-1, G, Sr., 5.8 ppg), Jarelle Johnson (6-1, G, Jr.), Shondell Jackson (6-4, F, Jr., 4.4 ppg), Shakem Johnson (6-5, F, So.).

Outlook: The Raiders have six returning lettermen, including last year’s leading scorer Bell (15.5 ppg). Jackson returns to the starting lineup after missing most of last season with an injury. Junior Jarelle Johnson will start his first varsity season at point guard. The Raiders have a very young, but tall interior group with freshman Derek Culver (6-7) coming off the bench.

NORTHEASTERN BUCKEYE CONFERENCE

Salem Quakers (Div. II)

Coach: Rich Hant (38-32, fourth season, 24th overall).

2012-13 record: 19-7.

Projected starters: Andrew Dolphin (5-10, G, Sr.), D.J. Pollie (5-9, G, So.), Ryan Hoover (6-3, F, Sr.), Mark Fredrickson (6-1, F, Sr.), Max Wolfgang (6-6, F, Sr., 10.8 ppg, 7 rpg).

Outlook: The Quakers are led by Wolfgang, who was all-league and all-county honorable mention last season. They have eight seniors and can go big by putting Connor Rose (6-6) on the court with Wolfgang.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

ALL-AMERICAN CONFERENCE Champion Golden Flashes

Coach: Jeff Thompson (25 years overall, 320-210).

2012-13 record: 16-10, 7-3 All-American Conference National Division.

Projected starters: Kelly Robinson (5-6, F, sr., 4 ppg), Izzy D’Urso (5-5, F, fr.), Anna Hill (6-0, C, jr., 1 ppg), Emma Nicholas (5-6, G, sr., 1.5 ppg), Molly Williams (5-6, G, fr.).

Outlook: Thompson says the Flashes have three good leaders and plenty of depth. He plans to use 10-11 players per game. He says Lakeview is the team to beat.

Staff report