ITCL boys basketball preview
TIER ONE
COLUMBIANA (IV)
Coach: Ron Moschella, first year, 617-172.
2013-14 record: 9-13
Projected starters: Devin Rice F-G, 6-0, Sr.; Dylan Ferraro, F-C, 6-0, Sr.; Drew Makosy, G, 5-8, Sr.; Cooper Smith, G, 5-10, Jr.; Diego Villatoro, G, 5-9, Jr.
Other varsity players: Matt Roncone, F, 6-2, Jr.; Dalton Miller, G, 5-8, Jr.; Gannon Hartley, F, 5-11, Jr.; Nick Nemick, F, 5-10, Sr.; Berdette Baker, C, 6-4, So.; Jared Wilson, G, 5-10, Fr.; Dylan Davin, F, 5-10, Jr.; Jarrett Nemick, G, 5-7, Fr.
Outlook: Moschella is coaching a boys team for the first time. He cited attitude and work ethic as strengths as well as being “willing to work on weaknesses to make them strengths.” Concerns are rebounding, foul shooting, limiting turnovers, learning a new system and fundamentals.
CRESTVIEW (III)
Coach: Herman Miller, sixth year, 59-51.
2013-14 record: 10-13.
Projected starters: Eric Lloyd, F-C, 6-4, Sr., 12.8 points per game last seaosn; Evan Beachler, G, 6-2, Sr., 5; Tyler Stratton, G, 5-11, Jr., 2.8; Elijah McCallum, F, 6-2, Jr., 1.6; Aaron Muntean, G, 6-2, Jr., 2.1..
Other varsity players: Jesse Best, G, 6-1, Sr.; Darrell Wooten, F, 6-1, Sr.; Jon Erb, G, 5-9, Jr.; Jared Hayden, G, 6-0, Jr.; Jacob Wick, G, 5-11, Jr.; Jared Jones, F, 6-2, Jr.
Outlook: Miller says the Rebels have to replace the scoring lost when Collin Gilbert and Jash McDade graduated. He said the team strengths include team speed and length. lloyd and Beacheler are returning starters. He expects Springfield (three-time defending champion) and Lisbon (four juniors who started as freshmen) to be top contenders for the league title.
JACKSON-MILTON (III)
Coach: Gary Nagy, fourth year, 22-44.
2013-14 record: 7-16.
Projected starters: Tyler Totani, F-C, Sr.; Jeffery Voland, G, Sr.; Alex Thornburg, G-F, Sr.; Michael Assion, G-F, Jr.; Nicholas Householder, G-F, Jr.
Other varsity players: Eric Ostrowski, G, So.; Johnathon Voland, F, So.; Braden Nagy, G, So.; Austin Christopher, F, So.; Sean Bartek, F, So.; Clayton Maskarinec, C, So.
Outlook: Nagy said his players are extremely hungry to prove themselves and build on the seven wins from last season when they were in Tier Two. He expects Lisbon and Springfield to be the teams to beat for the league title.
SOUTH RANGE (III)
Coach: John Cullen, second year, 4-19; career record 476-247
2013-14 record: 4-19
Projected starters: Garrett Anderson, C, 6-2, Sr.; Mark Vennetti, PG, 5-6, So.; Greg Dunham, F, 6-1, Jr..; Robbie Matos, SG, 6-1, Jr.
Other varsity players: Andrew Cullar, SG, 5-10, Sr.; Josh Fromel, 5-10, Sr.; Taymer Graham, 5-9, So.; Dan Ritter, 6-1, So.; Nick Wiery, 5-9, Sr.; Dylan Rutledge, 6-1, Sr.; Preston Stitt, 5-11, Jr.; Mitch Dolak, 6-4, Jr.; Anthony Ritter, 6-1, Jr.; Hunter Solvesky, 5-9, Fr.; Brandon Youngs, 5-11, Fr.; Pierce Baird, F, 6-0, Jr.
Outlook: With seven lettermen, solid depth and improved shooting/transition scoring, Cullen believes the Raiders should be better than last season. He’s focusing on trust, togetherness and toughness, but he’s concerned about the team’s strength, defensive skill set and rebounding ability.
SPRINGFIELD (DIVISION)
Coach: Eric Fender, sixth year, 79-34
2013-14 record: 17-5
Varsity players: Mark Schuler, C/F, 6-5, Sr.; Brandon Chamberlain, G/F, 6-2, Sr.; Hunter Snyder, G, 5-8, Sr.; Nathan Simboli, G, 5-8, Sr.; Jordon Peterson, G, 5-10, Sr.; Neil Sofranec, G, 5-10, Sr.; Tyler McLaughlin, F, 5-10, Sr.; Graham Mincher, G, 5-10, Jr.; Jordan Capoullez, G, 5-9, Jr.; Nino Esposito, G, 5-7, Jr.; Grant Nezbeth, F, 6-4, Jr.
Outlook: The Tigers return two double-digit scorers from last year’s Tier One title team in Mincher (16.3 points per game) and Schuler (12.3 ppg) and have four others who averaged at least five points per game: Chamberlain, Snyder, Simboli and Peterson. They’ll also benefit from a seven-member senior class.
TIER TWO
LOWELLVILLE (IV)
Coach: Vince Nittoli, first year.
2013-14 record: 18-5.
Projected starters: Nick Piccirillo, F, 5-6, Sr., 3.3 points per game last season; Vince Hensperger, G, 6-1, Jr.; Alex Harklerode, G, 5-10, Sr., 8.4; Paolo DePasquale, F, 6-2, Sr., 17.8; Cole Beatty, F, 6-5, Jr., 9.4.
Other varsity players: Van Vanover, G, 5-9, Sr.; Geno Fraticelli, G, 5-9, Sr.; Eric Grow, F, 6-1, Sr.; Vinny Donofrio, G, 5-10, Sr.; Alec Osman, F, 6-2, Sr.; Tyler Barone, G-F, 6-1, Jr.; Tyler Hetmanski, G, 5-7, Jr.
Outlook: Nittoli says the Rockets have two starters and three role players returning. DePasquale is a four-year starter looking to surpass 1,000 points. He said the key to a good season included capitalizing on their depth.
MCDONALD (IV)
Coach: Jeff Rasile, 11th year
2013-14 record: 21-4
Returning lettermen: Anthony Pugh, Brad Woodley, Jacob Reckard.
Top newcomers: David Rebraca, Jr.; Matt Howard, Jr.; Evan McGill, So.; Dylan Portolese, So.
Outlook: Led by Pugh (12 points per game) and Woodley (nine points per game), the Blue Devils have a nice returning core but their overall experience is lacking. Rasile said depth is also a concern, so it’s up to the young players to develop quickly.
SOUTHERN (IV)
Coach: George Whittaker, 12 years, 172-143
2013-14 record: 16-8
Projected starters: Andrew Russell, C, 6-3, Sr.; Aaron Sevek, F, 6-0, Sr.; Troy Holden, G, 6-2, Jr.; Mike Shope, G, 5-11, So.; Christian Adkins, F, 6-1, Jr..
Other varsity players: Josh Brown, G, 6-0, Sr.; Domanick Michael, G, 6-1, So.; Jaret Dowling, F, 6-2, Jr.; Dakota Wetzel, F, 6-0, So.; Drew Sevek, G, 6-0, Jr.; Brandon Burns, G, 6-0, Sr.
Outlook: Whittaker likes his team’s defense but the starters lack height and varsity experience.
WESTERN RESERVE (IV)
Coach: Patsy Daltorio
2013-14 record: Second year, 10-14
Projected starters: Joseph Falasca, F, 6-4, Sr.; Nolan Snyder, G/F, 6-1, Sr.; Walker Marlowe, G, 5-11, Jr.; Lance DeZee, G, 5-11, Jr.
Other varsity players: Scott Breese, C, 6-3, Sr.; Ryan Diehl, G, 5-10, Sr.; Tommy Woolfe, G/F, 6-0, Sr.; Drew Slaven, G, 5-10, Jr.; Kyle Hilles, G/F, 6-0, Jr.; Nick Cooper, G, 5-10, Jr.; Wyatt Larimer, G, 6-0, So.; Cody Hilles, F, 6-2, So.
Outlook: The Blue Devils return two double-digit scorers in Snyder (13 points per game) and Falasca (10 ppg) but got a late start because of the football playoff team. Daltorio likes his team’s athleticism and potential.
Note: East Palestine, Lisbon, United, Leetonia, Mineral Ridge, Sebring and Wellsville did not respond to information requests.