District boys basketball preview

INDEPENDENT

HEARTLAND CHRISTIAN (IV)

Coach: Shawn Sprouse, first year

2013-14 record: 12-10

Projected starters: Glenn Hoffman, 6-2, Sr.; Phillip Bell, 5-10, Sr.; Joel Sirota, 6-3, Sr.; Nathan Sommers, 5-11, Jr.; Zack Barnes, 5-7, So.

Other varsity players: Tyler Harrington, 5-9, Sr.; Josh Meredith, 6-2, Sr.; Ben Burgess, 6-0, So.; Daniel Brandestien, 5-9, Jr.

Outlook: With three experienced seniors, Sprouse believes the Eagles will be able to compete with any team on the schedule. He wants to see them get tougher, play good defense and move the ball well.

NORTHEASTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

BRISTOL (IV)

Coach: Craig Giesy, fourth year, 52-17

2013-14 record: 16-7

Projected starters: Jack Mitton, G, 5-9, Jr.; Phil Aliberti, G, 5-10, So.; Alex Jones, F, 6-2, Jr.; Bryce Gabrielson, G, 6-0, Jr.; Jaime Lope, F, 6-5, Jr.

Other varsity players: Zach McMillion, G, 5-11, Jr.; Aaron Williams, F, 6-1, Sr.; Stevie Burbach, F, 5-10, So.; Zeth Tomasiak, G, 5-8, Sr.; Nathan Novicki, F, 6-0, Jr.; Tommy Donadio, G, 5-9, Fr.; Bryan Gabrielson, G, 5-8, Fr.

Outlook: Graduation took a toll on the Panthers, who won the Stripes Division last season, but Giesy likes his team’s skill and will look to build on a strong summer.

MAPLEWOOD (IV)

Coach: Nathan Kish,

2013-14 record: 20-5

Projected starters: Nate Spitler, G, 5-10, Sr.; Derek Morrison, G, 5-8, Sr.; Jake Hall, G, 6-2, So.; Dan Denman, F, 6-3, Sr.; Zach Dawson, F, 6-3, So.

Other varsity players: Austin Brunstetter, G, 5-8, Sr.; Alex Ventura, G, 5-10, So.; Dillon Dixon, G, 5-11, So.

Outlook: The Rockets will rely on seniors and sophomores, including senior guard Nate Spitler, who averaged 10.7 points per game last season and senior forward Dan Denman, who averaged seven.

MATHEWS (IV)

Coach: Mark Mollohan, first year

2013-14 record: 10-13

Projected starters: Tommy Sharp, G, 5-9, Sr.; Bryan Oatridge, G, 6-2, Jr.; Cobie Pratt, G, 5-9, Sr.; Clay O’Dell, G/F, 6-2, So.; Davie Gollan, F, 6-2, Sr.

Other varsity players: Mike Kennedy, G, 6-0, Sr.; Corey Savric, G, 5-9, Sr.; Logan Culp, F, 6-2, Jr.; Mitchell Goff, F, 5-10, So.; Kenny Wallace, G, 5-7, So.; Tyler Koeppen, F, 6-4, Fr.; Sean McDivitt, G, 5-9, Fr.; Chris McVicker, G, 5-10, Jr.

Outlook: Although the Mustangs will be without the injured Pratt (12 points per game) for the first part of the season, they’ve got a good core returning, including Sharp, who average 10 points per game last season. Mollohan likes his team’s athleticism and shooting ability but is worried about its lack of size.

NORTH COAST LEAGUE

WARREN JFK (IV)

Coach: John C. Richards, first year

2013-14 record: 8-14

Projected starters: James Burney, F, Sr.; Zach Usher, F, Sr.; Isaac Carrino, G, Sr.; Preston Caparanis, G, Sr.; A.J. Grant, F, Sr.

Other varsity players: Luke Keck, G, Sr.; Michael Roscoe, G, Sr.; Alec Pontikos, C, Sr.; Justin Bofenkamp, G, So.; Danny Rossi, G, Jr.; Terrence King, G, Fr.; Joe Millar, G, So.; Nate Woods, F, So.; Aaron Williamson, F, So.

Outlook: After several years as JFK’s freshmen coach, Richards takes over a team that went 1-9 in conference play last season but he likes his team’s leadership, scoring ability and size. He believes ball security, defense and rebounding are weaknesses.

NORTHEASTERN BUCKEYE CONFERENCE

SALEM (III)

Coach: Rich Hart, fifth year, 46-48

2013-14 record: 8-16

Projected starters: Jake Bezon, PG, 5-9, Sr.; D.J. Pullie, SG, 5-9, Jr.; Trey Toothman, SF, 5-10, Jr.; Mike Cioffi, PF, 6-1, Sr.; Nick Rusyn, C, 6-7, Jr.

Other varsity players: Alec Economous, F, 6-4, Jr.; Brandon Weikart, F, 6-1, Jr.; Matt Weingart, W, 5-11, Jr.; Dan Laut, W, 5-10, Jr.; Garrett Dickey, PG, 5-10, So.; Eric Campolito, W, 6-1, Jr.; Austin O’Dell, W, 5-8, Jr.; Tyler Holenchick, F, 6-0, Sr.; Cameron Turney, F, 6-0, Sr.; Jon Gerace, 6-2, So.

Outlook: Pullie is back after scoring 14.8 points per game last season and the Quakers hope Cioffi (9.8 points per game) can return soon from a football injury. Hart likes his team’s quickness and ability to shoot the 3 and sees improvement in the post.

WEST BRANCH (II)

Coach: Lou Sellaroli, 34 years

2013-14 record: 6-17

Projected starters: Kip DeShields, P, 6-5, Sr.; Matt Meiter, W, 6-2, Sr.; Jerian Thomas, G, 5-11, So.; Kyle Zeigler, G, 6-0, Sr.

Other varsity players: Jeremy Gorby, P, 6-4, Jr.; Matt Heffinger, W, 5-11, Jr.; Austin Smith, W, 6-0, Jr.; Matt Manley, G, 5-6, Jr.; Adam Tucker, P, 6-5, Jr.; Brett Butcher, G, 5-9, So.

Outlook: Led by DeShields, a three-year letterwinner, the Warriors have an experienced core and some good size. They should be able to improve on last year’s 3-11 record in the NBC.