Herald-News Boys Basketball 2012-13: The Inside Scoop
November 18, 2012 5:50PM
Updated: November 18, 2012 11:07PM
DID YOU KNOW ...
First-year Lincoln-Way West coach Jon White will have to coach against three of his former mentors when the Warriors open the season against Lincoln-Way East (coach Rich Kolimas), Lincoln-Way North (coach John Terry) and Lincoln-Way Central (coach Bob Curran). White was an assistant under all three coaches at different points in his career.
Providence coach Tim Trendel thinks December will be the most crucial part of the season for the Celtics, with match-ups against Riverside-Brookfield, Mount Carmel, Rich East and St. Joseph — all in a span of 10 days.
Seneca returns all but one player from last year’s team that went 18-12 overall and 9-2 in the Interstate Eight and lost to Herscher in the regional final.
Coal City has six players returning for a third consecutive year of varsity basketball: seniors Jake Aichele, Joe Micetich, Jon West and Colin Anderson and juniors Nick Peters and Brennen Shetina.
More than half of Wilmington’s team was missing from preseason practice because of their commitment to the football team. The Wildcats advanced to the Class 3A quarterfinals.
Lemont has three players who were born in Lithuania: Juozas Balciunas, Martynas Einikis and Edvynas Masiulionis.
YEAH, HE SAID IT
“Can I say all of them? St. Joseph, St. Rita, Seton, De La Salle, Brother Rice ... ” — Providence coach Tim Trendel, on which is the toughest team the Celtics face in the ultra-competitive Catholic League.
“It was so crazy that last month of recruiting. When you have offers from Illinois, Northwestern, DePaul ... these top-notch programs who are recruiting you, it gets to be crazy. But when he gave his oral commitment, it did take the weight off his shoulders.” — Bolingbrook coach Rob Brost, on SMU recruit Ben Moore and the chaotic weeks before Moore’s commitment.
“Kids who want to compete want to compete against the best. Their success provides us with a model and a tangible goal.” — Lemont coach Rick Runaas, on playing Hillcrest in the South Suburban Blue. Hillcrest won the Class 3A state title in 2010 and was third in state in 2011.
“Your midterm exam is the Pontiac Tournament (over the Christmas breaks) without question, and the final exam is regionals. You get beyond that into sectionals and supersectional games, then you’re talking about a different story.” — Joliet West coach Luke Yaklich, defining the crucial portions of the season.
“I like my team, but if we don’t have a strong year it will be my fault.” — first-year Plainfield South coach Tim Boe.
THE TOP ...
(in alphabetical order)
FRESHMEN
Joe Butler, Minooka, G/F
Jon Marotta, Lincoln-Way West, F
Jordan Reed, Plainfield East, G
SOPHOMORES
Miles Boykin, Providence, F
Aaron Jordan, Plainfield East, G
Prentiss Nixon, Bolingbrook, G
Trevor Stumpe, Plainfield North, G
JUNIORS
Conlan Callahan, Seneca, G
Jonah Coble, Joliet Central, G
Jarvis Northington, Joliet Central, F
Nick Peters, Coal City, C
Hayden Witt, Lincoln-Way West, F
SENIORS
Juozas Balciunas, Lemont, G
Morris Dunnigan, Joliet West, G
Marcus Fair, Plainfield North, G
Jake Hogen, Minooka, G
Kevin Kozan, Providence, G
Ben Moore, Bolingbrook, F
Mike Moss, Lincoln-Way East, G
Darrin Myers, Minooka, G
Dan O’Leary, Wilmington, G/F
Ryan Peter, Joliet Catholic, F
Peyton Schrag, Seneca, G
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE
Only two Joliet-area teams — Plainfield East and Providence — advanced past the regional round during last season’s playoffs. Plainfield East lost in the Class 4A sectional semifinal to West Aurora 58-53 in overtime, while Providence fell to Hillcrest 66-46 in a 3A sectional semifinal. Hillcrest went on to finish third in the state and West Aurora lost in the supersectional to eventual state runner-up Proviso East.
A FINAL THOUGHT
“Joliet Catholic has not been above .500 for 30 years. Our goal is to change that.” — Hilltoppers coach Joe Gura. Joliet Catholic was 5-20 last season.
Compiled by Tina Akouris
