Boys Basketball: Joliet West tops preseason top five

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Morris Dunnigan, Joliet West. | File photo

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Updated: December 22, 2011 8:08AM

The return of the point guard who missed most of last season, the maturity of a 6-foot-8 post player who can handle the ball, and the overall depth and athleticism on the roster lifts Joliet West from a 9-16 record last season to the No. 1 spot in the Herald-News preseason rankings.

JOLIET WEST (9-16)

Such notice before the first jump ball doesn’t always sit well with high school coaches, but the expectations that come with being No. 1 don’t bother Joliet West coach Luke Yaklich.

“I want to be No. 1 and we want to stay No. 1,” Yaklich said. “We’ll happily put the target on our back and go to work.”

Morris Dunnigan is ready. A torn ACL sidelined the junior guard for all but a few games of his sophomore year after he started on the varsity as a freshman.

“It was really difficult sitting out the season,” Dunnigan said. “It really made me mad.”

This season?

“I’m ready, man, I’m energized,” Dunnigan said. “We can be really good if we play hard and play like we know how.”

Dunnigan cited “rebounding” and “decision making” as two areas for team improvement. For the most part, Dunnigan’s decisions are OK with his coach.

“Morris is a great passer,” Yaklich said. “He finds guys when they need the ball. That’s where it starts with him. He can shoot and he’s very good on defense. He’s a pretty complete player.”

Should senior Marlon Johnson become that in the post, watch out for Joliet West.

“The kid I’ve seen improve the most the last four years of any kid I’ve ever coached is Marlon Johnson,” Yaklich said. “Marlon has the potential to have a very, very big impact this year.”

Speaking of impact, Yaklich also is counting on it from senior Brian Edwards and junior Brandon McCullum, two forwards who saw a lot of playing time last season. Dominique Arrington, Davia Mays and Eric Cooper add to the depth.

2. Lockport (21-9)

Guard Kyle Ward is the top returnee from a team that reached the Class 4A Thornwood Sectional semifinals. The Porters also have starting experience in guards Dexter Taylor and Brandon Sawin, while Courtney Cole again will come off the bench. Losing Kyle’s brother, Karrington, and Richaun Holmes to graduation could make rebounding an issue.

“Everybody is not expecting us to do well because we’re smaller,” Taylor said.

The Porters are counting on 6-5 junior David Robinson to play big. Ward suffered a dislocated shoulder in a Sept. 30 football game against Homewood-Flossmoor but said he’s ready. Coach Lawrence Thompson is hoping for more transition points this season.

“We are kind of small, but they have confidence in their ability,” Thompson said. “But confidence will only take you so far — you’ve got to execute.”

3. Plainfield South (20-8)

The defending Southwest Prairie Conference champion has two big pieces back for its puzzle: versatile guard Ed Presniakovas and 6-7 center Will Nixon, the team’s top rebounder.

Presniakovas averaged 18 points per game, best among returning players in the area. The 6-3 senior can hit the 3-pointer and also averaged more than five rebounds per game. Nixon averaged eight points and six boards, shot 66 percent and blocked 45 shots. The Cougars bounced back nicely from a 13-14 record in 2009-10. Forwards Dantrell Wright and Kevin Coker also will play key roles for coach Ken Bublitz.

“I really feel any team can emerge at the top of the league,” Bublitz said. “Any team can beat anyone in the league.”

4. Plainfield East (15-13)

The Bengals had a lot of “firsts” a year ago: first season with seniors, first victories over Plainfield North and Plainfield Central. Their first Southwest Prairie Conference title isn’t out of reach.

Swift guard Dee Brown leads a deep roster of returnees: Brown (15 points per game), 6-9 Brian Bennett (9 ppg, 5 rebounds) and guards Austin Robinson (6 ppg) and Jawan Straughter (5 ppg and the Bengals’ top defender). Myles Walters, DesNique Harris and Mack Brown also saw considerable playing time.

The Bengals won their second straight Pheast of the Phoenix Tournament last season at Lincoln-Way North. With their size and athleticism, the Bengals, according to coach Branden Adkins, “should battle for a conference championship.”

5. Bolingbrook (10-15)

Look for Bolingbrook to improve on last season. Highly regarded forward Nick Malonga (12 ppg, 5 rpg) and guard Chad Cooke are returning starters. Swingman Josh Little and point guard Cam Burnett have varsity experience. Keep an eye on freshman Prentiss Nixon. Junior Ben Moore is up from last year’s sophomore team.

“When we play hard and play smart, we can compete with anyone,” coach Rob Brost said.

The Raiders proved that last season with a victory over Metea Valley in the 4A Bolingbrook Regional. The Raiders had been seeded last of the 22 teams in the East Aurora Sectional. Bolingbrook then challenged 21-win Neuqua Valley before losing in the regional semifinal.