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ALL-AMERICAN CONFERENCE

AMERICAN DIVISION

Austintown Fitch Falcons (Div. I)

Coach: Brian Beany (10-14, second season).

2012-13 record: 10-14.

Projected starters: Jessie Driver (6-0, PG, Sr., 14.0 ppg), Quincy Higgins (6-1, G, Sr., 7.0 ppg), Gabe Chepke (6-1, G, Sr., 6.0 ppg), Alex Difrancesco (6-4, F, Sr., 8.0 ppg), Austin Hogan (6-2, F, Sr., 5.0 ppg).

Outlook: The Falcons return all five starters, including first team all-conference guard Jessie Driver. Depth will play an important factor as head coach Brian Beany will try to run an up-tempo offense and full-court defense. With seven seniors on the roster, there will be plenty of experience on the court for the Falcons.

Canfield Cardinals (Div. II)

Coach: Todd Muckleroy (34-33, fourth season).

2012-13 record: 18-6.

Projected starters: Cole Pryjma (5-7, G, Sr., 10.8 ppg), Brady Clark (6-0, G, Sr., 6.6 ppg), Andrew Midgley (6-7, F, Sr., 11.1 ppg), Jarret Vrabel (6-5, F, Sr., 10.3 ppg), Mike Yourstowsky (5-8, G, Jr., 3.1 ppg).

Outlook: With a returning starting five, Canfield will look to build upon last year’s success. They flew mostly under the radar last seson, but this year Cardinals club will have to deal with expectations that are a bit higher. They do have six seniors on the roster, and plenty of size inside, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to live up to those expectations.

Howland Tigers (Div. I)

Coach: Bill Bogan (third season).

2012-13 record: 10-12.

Projected starters: Connor Antinone (5-8, G, So.), Reece Bogan (6-3, G, So.), Evan Steele (5-10, G, Sr.), Tommy Carnifax (6-5, F, So.).

Outlook: The Tigers have just four upperclassmen on this year’s team, two of which are seniors. There are three sophomore’s projected to start for Howland, all of whom logged significant minutes last season as freshmen. They will look to build off their youth as a foundation for the program’s future.

Hubbard Eagles (Div. II)

Coach: Rick Fox (83-91, ninth season).

2012-13 record: 4-19.

Projected starters: Derek Kopanic (5-11, Jr., 8.9 ppg), Adam Hammond (6-2, Sr., 3.9 ppg), Cole Bencetic (6-1, Sr., 2.3 ppg), Tyler Hodge (6-0, Jr., 1.3 ppg), Irvin Nasseri (6-1, Sr., 1.5 ppg).

Outlook: The Eagles will welcome newcomers Brennan Wassil and Darnell Tate to the hardwood, after showing what they can do on the football field. Hubbard has struggled the last two seasons and is hoping for a turnaround this year. Coach Rick Fox believes if his players have a good understanding of their role, they can have a successful season.

Poland Bulldogs (Div. II)

Coach: Ken Grisdale (343-124, 21st season).

2012-13 record: 21-3.

Projected starters: Nick Gajdos (5-7, G, Jr., 3 ppg), Kyle Dixon (6-3, G, Jr., 10 ppg), George Chammas (6-2, F, Sr., 8 ppg), Jacob Wolfe (6-4, F, Sr., 14 ppg), Dan Black (6-3, F, Jr., 3 ppg).

Outlook: Team chemistry will be very important for the Bulldogs this season, as they look to follow up on a strong 2012-13 campaign. This group has some dangerous scorers in Jacob Wolfe and Kyle Dixon, but Grisdale feels his team must rebound the ball better than they did last season.

NATIONAL DIVISION

Champion Flashes (Div. III)

Coach: Ryan Fitch (first season).

2012-13 record: 3-20.

Projected starters: Nick Mackey (5-9, G, Sr.), Chris Miller (6-2, G, Jr.), Michael Turner (6-0, G, Fr.), Lucas Nasonti (5-9, G, Fr.), Brennan Grace (6-0, F, Sr.).

Outlook: The Flashes are going to struggle this season against any team with size. They only have one player taller than 6-foot-2 and he’s projected to come off the bench this season. First-year head coach Ryan Fitch will have his hands full, but he said he believes he has some athletic kids who can shoot. Attention to detail and learning how to win are his top priorities for this season.

Jefferson Falcons (Div. II)

Coach: Steve French (first season).

2012-13 record: 8-16.

Projected starters: Sage Cantini (5-10, G, So.), Sam Caskey (6-2, G, Jr.), James Jackson (6-2, F, Jr.), Lucas Hitchcock (6-1, F, Jr.), David Chase (6-7, F, 12).

Outlook: As with any first year head coach, there will be some growing pains early on as players adjust to French’s expectations and style of play. The one thing that remains a constant is the need for solid defense. The Falcons have good size on the interrior, so taking advantage of that should be a priority.

LaBrae Vikings (Div. III)

Coach: Chad Kiser (114-49, eighth season).

2012-13 record: 24-4.

Projected starters: Peyton Aldridge (6-7, G-F, Sr., 21 ppg), Justin Jenkins (5-8, G, Jr., 5 ppg), Marcell Richardson (6-3, F, Sr., 6 ppg), Caelan Hyland (6-3, F, So.), Tario Drake (6-0, G, Fr.).

Outlook: All eyes, and defenses, will be on the Davidson commit Peyton Aldridge. He’s one of three returning lettermen that will be relied upon to carry the load offensively. The Vikings’ depth will be put to the test early, as they’ll be forced to play seven or eight first-year varsity players. Last season, the Vikings played in the state semifinals in Columbus.

Lakeview Bulldogs (Div. II)

Coach: Craig Mild (4-18, second season).

2012-13 record: 4-18.

Projected starters: Ryan Pishotti (6-2, Jr.), Jake Pishotti (5-11, Sr.), Tommy Bell (6-5, Jr.), Justin Journey (5-9, Sr.).

Outlook: The Bulldogs have a strong core of players with plenty of varsity experience. Mild would like to see a more efficient offense and better defense in order for his team to improve.

Liberty Leopards (Div. III)

Coach: Dan Bubon (20-24, third season).

2012-13 record: 9-13.

Projected starters: Asim Pleas Jr. (6-3, G, Sr., 13 ppg), Cam Clark (6-0, G, Sr., 11 ppg), Danny Markulin (6-4, F, Sr., 3 ppg).

Outlook: Last year’s Leopards team lost six of seven games decided on the final possession of the game. Priority number one for Bubon will be to reverse the outcome of those games. What Liberty lacks in size they make up for with athleticism, which will be much needed with only three returning seniors.

Newton Falls Tigers

Coach: Roy Sembach (27th season, 352-231).

2012-13 record: 14-11.

Projected starters: Ozzie Hawkins (6-2, G, sr., 11 ppg), Chris Greathouse (5-8, G, sr., 7 ppg), Derek Walton (5-10, G, sr., 3 ppg), Jaden Walton (6-1, G, so., 5 ppg).

Outlook: Sembach says guard play led by Hawkins will be the Tigers’ strength. His concerns are lack of height and post player. He expects LaBrae to be the team to beat in the All-American Conference National Division.

FEDERAL LEAGUE

Boardman Spartans (Div. I)

Coach: Pat Birch (3-19, second season).

2012-13 record: 3-19.

Projected starters: Ryan McKeown (6-3, F, Sr.), Marcus Smith (6-1, F, Jr.), Brian Fryda (6-0, G, Jr.), Preston Stitt (5-10, G, So.).

Outlook: Lack of experience could hurt the Spartans this season. Birch will count on a lot of his players maturing quickly if they hope to achieve success. He feels his group will need to play with energy and shoot consistently from the perimeter.

INDEPENDENTS

Beaver Local Beavers (Div. II)

Coach: Jeremy Christen (first season, fifth on staff).

2012-13 record: 12-11.

Projected starters: Hayden Grafton (5-8, G, Jr.), Chase Hilliard (6-0, G, Jr.), Chandler Cornell (6-2, F, Sr.), Jared Lyder (6-4, F, Sr.), Josh Underwood (6-5, F, Sr.).

Outlook: The Beavers could struggle as first-year head coach Jeremy Christen implements his new system. They return five varsity lettermen, including two starters, that could ease the transition process. Buying into the changes at an early stage will be key to the Beavers’ success.

Brookfield Warriors (Div. III)

Coach: Bill Kovach (21-4, second season).

2012-13 record: 21-4.

Projected starters: Derrick Dickson (5-9, G, Jr., 7 ppg), Jamar Tarver (6-3, F, Sr., 4 ppg), Seth Wallace (6-4, F, Jr., 4 ppg).

Outlook: The Warriors are very young and inexperienced this season with just one returning starter. It will be important that bench players from last season make a push for a starting spot and learn to gel together as a team. Kovach had a very impressive first season at Brookfield, but year two will provide more challenges.

East Panthers (Div. I)

Coach: Dennis Simmons (18-7, second season).

2012-13 record: 18-7.

Projected starters: Marquis Cotton (5-10, PG, Sr., 10.3 ppg), Rashawn Boykins (6-0, G, Sr., 2.3 ppg), Anthony Reid (5-10, G, Sr., 2.3 ppg), Darryl Anderson (6-6, F, Jr.), Terrell McClain (6-5, F, Sr., 15.0 ppg).

Outlook: What the Panthers lack in experience they make up for in speed. Only two returning players are averaging double digits in scoring, so they will need another player or two to step up and fill that void. Simmons will have some size available off the bench, which should help deeper into the season.

Staff report