Basketball Preview

OPRF hopes to create ‘Huskie Havoc’ on court 40 • FRIARS foucused on chemstry, improvement 36 TRINITY reloads for another run at state title 37 • SO MANY TEAMS, so little time 38

2014/15

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Wednesday Journal, November 26, 2014

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Friars focused on chemistry, improvement Smith, Ballard and Nixon look to lead Fenwick in Malnati’s second year

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Head coach: Rick Malnati Record last year: 22-9 Key losses: Scott Lindsey, Tom Planek, Dan Dwyer Top returners: Mike Smith, jr., G; Mike Ballard, jr., F; Jamal Nixon, jr., G/F Newcomers: Quinn Fisher, jr., G; Jacob Teller, soph., G/F Quote: “I’m not sure how high our ceiling is because we’re so young, but the kids are really working hard.” - Malnati

Sports Editor/Staff Reporter Marty Farmer Lauren Recchia

Contributing Reporter

Fenwick Friars at a glance

JOURNAL Contributing Reporters Matt Le Cren,

By MATT LE CREN he Fenwick High School boys basketball team had an experienced roster and a new coach last season.

That proved to be a good combination as the Friars went 22-9 and reached their first sectional final since 2004 under first-year boss Rick Malnati.

The preseason situation is reversed this year, with Malnati settled in but dealing with a relatively inexperienced squad that has only three seniors “I’m not sure how high our ceiling is because we’re so young, but the kids are really working hard,” Malnati said. “It all depends on chemistry. Chemistry is the key to basketball and we’ll see how good our chemistry is.”

The Friars can be forgiven if they get off to a slow start. The departures of Scott Lindsey, now at Northwestern, and big post players Tom Planek and Dan Dwyer leave some big shoes to fill, but Malnati is confident the team will be a lot better by the end of the season than it is now.

That’s because Fenwick has some good young players, notably junior guard Mike Smith and junior guard/forward Mike Ballard. Smith led the team in scoring at 14.5 points and assists with 3.8 per game last winter. “[Smith] had a great year last year,” Malnati said. “We’re hoping he can be a leader this year. He definitely gets the opportunity.”

Part of Smith’s success as a sophomore can be attributed to the presence of the big front line, which won’t be as large or as experienced this season.

“We’re a real young basketball team,” Malnati said. “Life is going to be a little different for Mike this year. Teams didn’t really key on him last year because we had so many options.”

While Smith prepared for his starring role, the 6-3 Ballard bulked up a bit in order to play power forward as he transitions to a starting role.

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LIKE MIKE: Fenwick junior guard Mike Ballard is a prolific shooter. This season, he’ll look to develop his all-around game for the young Friars.

“He played his best basketball at the end of the season,” Malnati said. “He’s got some big shoes to fill.

“We want him to score, we want him to get to the foul line and shift more inside. He’s developed a nice perimeter game and he’s worked hard over the summer.”

The other key young player is sophomore Jamal Nixon, a 6-3 guard/forward who played all 31 games as a freshman and averaged 3.0 points and 1.9 assists. He got a baptism by fire as a rookie filling in for injured players early in the season and played well enough to keep playing.

Now Nixon, like Ballard, will play more on the inside. He’ll also frequently be asked

to guard the other team’s best player, “He’s a really good passer and we’re going to need him to step up his inside game,” Malnati said. “He’s a wonderful kid to have in the program.

“I need him to be a little more vocal. He knows what to say and when to say it but sometimes he’s soft-spoken. But he’s a great teammate and we’re going to look for him to lead us.”

The other starting spots are still up for grabs. Of the seniors, only guard Kevin Owens saw action outside of garbage time, averaging 2.9 points in 26 games, primarily filling in for the injured Lindsey.

Jack Grogan, a 6-3 point guard, and 5-9

guard Matt Androwich, were reserves a year ago. They will vie with four newcomers for playing time.

Junior Charlie Boyle, a 6-7 center, is the team’s tallest player, while 5-9 junior point guard Quinn Fisher, 6-2 sophomore guard Jacob Teller and 6-0 freshman guard A.J. Nixon will make their varsity debuts.

Malnati likes Teller’s strength and size while Fisher was the most valuable player on the sophomore team last year. Nixon, no relation to Jamal Nixon, will ride the bench initially.

“If we stay healthy he won’t see much time,” Malnati said. “But he’s a sponge. He picks up everything we’re doing and really competes. I think by the end of the year he’ll be getting playing time.”

Whoever plays will face a schedule just as tough as last year’s, which featured 16 games against ranked opponents. The Friars won half of them, beating Class 4A state runner-up Benet and 2A state champion Providence-St. Mel. One of their losses was to 3A state champ Morgan Park and they were eliminated by Orr, which finished third.

A difficult schedule means the Friars might not match last year’s 22 wins, but that doesn’t concern Malnati.

“It’s not who starts,” Malnati said. “It’s who finishes.”

Wednesday Journal, November 26, 2014

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Health is the key to Huskies’ success Speed, size and depth bodes well for better season

By MARTY FARMER

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Sports Editor

he Oak Park and River Forest High School girls basketball team lost 10 of 11 games to close out last year. That extended skid is the least of head coach J.P. Coughlin and the Huskies’ worries entering this season.

Simply put, OPRF is hoping for healthy players. The Huskies have the talent to be very competitive, but an injury-ravaged roster certainly will curtail their chance for success. That was the unfortunate scenario last season as Erin Orr was out all year with a torn ACL, while Angel Bradford, Emily Schreck and Chardonnay Harris (among others) also battled ankle, back and other injuries.

“I think it was just a really bad year for us,” senior forward Callie Shelton said.

“We had some injuries over the summer as well, but I think we’re finally going to move through it.”

Over the summer, senior forward/center Gareth Coalson, junior guard Demi Philosophos and junior forward Crystal Corr each tore an ACL. Senior guard Hailey Hoye has been limited recently with a sore ankle.

“I tore my ligament in my ankle in July,” Hoye said. “It kind of set me back. I couldn’t do a bunch of stuff during the offseason. I’m still recovering but I should be 100 percent by December.”

Despite the adversity of the past 13 months, the Huskies enter this season with

and sophomore guard Molly Cullinane are all key perimeter players for OPRF. Hoye, who is being recruited by multiple Division I programs including New York University and UC San Diego, scored 31 points in the Huskies’ 59-52 loss to St. Ignatius in a Class 4A regional semifinals last season. Harris has the potential to be a great player, while Schreck and Waters bring versatility and leadership to the lineup. Mullins is an excellent shooter.

With the addition of highly touted freshman Maeve Nelson, the Huskies are loaded in the backcourt.

“We’re focused on working together to be successful,” Schreck said. “Everybody here has a common goal. I think we’re a little more balanced this season. We want to play at a high tempo because we have lot of athleticism.”

In the paint, 6-2 sophomore center Blair Ripley gets the call along with the active Shelton. Trinity transfers, 6-1 sophomore center Maria Kent and junior Madison Siler, are welDAVID PIERINI/Staff Photographer comed additions.

OPRF junior guard Katie Mullins is but one of “We had over 30 wins during the many promising players on the perimeter for the summer,” Coughlin said. “We’re deep this year. All of our seniors played a Huskies. ton last season and we have several sophomores and a freshman ready plenty of speed, size, depth and versatility. to contribute. And we have size, which we Hoye and Harris along with Schreck, sehaven’t had in years. nior Victoria Waters, junior Katie Mullins,

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Oak Park and River Forest Huskies at a glance Head coach: J.P. Coughlin Record last year: 11-20 (3-9 West Suburban [Silver] Conference) Key losses: Angel Bradford, Alison Carraher, Helen Onyenso, Erin Orr Top returners: Hailey Hoye, sr., G; Emily Schreck, sr., G; Chardonnay Harris, soph., G; Callie Shelton, sr., F; Victoria Waters, sr., G/F Newcomers: Maeve Nelson, fr., G/F; Blair Ripley, soph., C Quote: “I don’t think we have ever had a closer team. It makes each of us better because we want to play well for the team.” - Shelton “I think the days of me trying to do Fenwick’s run and gun style are probably over, but we’re still going to play really fast. On offense we’re focused on pace and space, which means playing up-tempo basketball while spacing the floor well. We want to go 10 or 11 players deep with a variety of looks. That’s exciting for me as a coach.”

While Downers Grove North is the preseason favorite to repeat as conference champs, the Huskies and a host of other teams could compete for the title.

OPRF defeated Oswego 58-44 in its season opener at the Trinity Thanksgiving Tournament. Schreck scored a game-high 18 points and Nelson had 15 points, six rebounds and four assists in her varsity debut, Waters (15 points, six rebounds) and Hoye (seven assists) also contributed.

Trinity reloads for another run at state title McKenna, Stritzel and Aylward plus promising freshmen class provides Blazers balance

By LAUREN RECCHIA Contributing Reporter

It’s no secret that the Trinity High School basketball team is always in the mix for a state championship. This year appears no different as the Blazers should roll through the regular season before striving to get past Whitney Young and any other formidable obstacles in the state playoffs en route to an appearance Downstate.

The Blazers posted a 26-5 record last season, winning the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference title and navigating their way to the Hinsdale South Sectional championship game. Whitney Young derailed the Blazers 5845 in the sectional final. Trinity defeated the Dolphins during the regular season, the only team from Illinois to get the best of the Class 4A state champs last season.

Despite the loss of stars like Lauren Prochaska (playing college basketball at DePaul), Laura Sikora and Maura Molloy to graduation, Trinity coach Ed Stritzel welcomes back

several key players, including junior point guard Annie McKenna, senior forward Patricia Stritzel, and 5-11 junior forward Kaitlyn Aylward. McKenna earned fourth-team allstate recognition, while Stritzel and Aylward were both all-conference picks.

Trinity also keeps replenishing its roster with young talent. Five freshmen join the roster: 5-9 forward Alisa Fallon, 5-10 freshman point guard Lauren Lee, 5-8 shooting guard Daliyah Brown, 6-2 center Alex Fanning and 6-0 forward Alyssa Geary all figure to contribute this year and certainly in the future.

“We knew we wanted to incorporate the freshman into everything, and we’ve already done a good job of accomplishing that,” said Patricia Stritzel, Ed’s daughter. “They’re ready to play with us and make an impact.”

Patricia Stritzel knows that if Trinity repeats as GCAC champions, the Blazers must utilize their strength and speed on both ends of the floor.

“We’re not that big but we’re strong,” she said. “Our defense and our scoring have both

improved. We have an even faster team than last year. Everyone on this team is a scorer.

Scoring and defense are definitely going to be our main focus.”

Patricia Stritzel, who signed to play college basketball at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, has one goal in mind this season.

“I’ve been on this team since my freshman year, so I’d love to see our team make it Downstate,” she said. “That’s my goal for the team. As a captain this year, I want to help make that happen. I just want to make sure everyone knows, especially the freshmen, what they’re doing at all times.”

She’s also the latest player in a proud line of Blazers who will play college basketball.

“I’m really excited to be able to play in college,” Patricia Stritzel said. “It’s great that I have the opportunity to be a role model for the underclassmen. I want to show them that if they keep working hard, they can play at the next level, too.”

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Trinity Blazers at a glance Head coach: Ed Stritzel Record last year: 26-5, GCAC champions Key losses: Lauren Prochaska (DePaul), Maura Molloy, Laura Sikora Key returners: Annie McKenna, jr., G; Patricia Stritzel, sr., F; Kaitlyn Aylward, jr., F Newcomers: (All freshmen) Alisa Fallon, F; Lauren Lee, G; Daliyah Brown, C; Alex Fanning, C; Alyssa Geary, F Quote: “Trinity has a chance to be special once again this season as our blend of experience and youth should serve us well for years to come,” said head coach Ed Stritzel.

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Wednesday Journal, November 26, 2014

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

So many teams, so little time

All systems go for Fenwick girls hoops Friars looking to put plenty of points , wins on the board via entertaining style of play

Huskies, Friars and Blazers promise plenty of hoops action, success

By MATT LE CREN Contributing Reporter

Fans of the Fenwick High School girls basketball team have gotten used to seeing a lot of points and victories over the past two decades.

Last year they saw a lot of something unfamiliar – losing.

Partly because star players Jade Owens and Maya Garland were sidelined by injuries, the Friars struggled to a 13-18 record last winter. It was Fenwick’s first losing season in 20 years and just the third in school history.

But Hall of Fame coach DAVID PIERINI/Staff Photographer Dave Power doesn’t think it was a sign of decline.

Kelly Canoy offers a valuable interior presence to complement the Friars’ run “Even though we had a los- and gun offense. ing record, we beat some tremendous teams,” Power said.

While some people consider the Mt. Assisi as a sophomore.

“We had the ability, but anytime Joining those three are return- offense a gimmick, Power is comyou have your two best players out ing players Elle Schaefer, Katie mitted to it. with injuries for all or most of the Dvorak, Kiki Sheard, Kelly Canoy, “My son said it best,” Power said. season, it’s tough.”

Deja Cage and Drenisha Wideman. “He said, ‘Dad, how many people Even without Owens and Gar- Cage and Wideman sat out last year have a losing season every year? land, the Friars stuck with their with injuries, as did junior Maura We had it once.’ run-and-gun offense and scored Mullen, who joins the varsity after “If you don’t stay with [this sysplenty of points. But the defense recovering from a knee injury suf- tem], you’ll never master it. I think was average at times and awful at fered at the 2013 state soccer finals. you’re going to see a team that, others, done in by a lack of depth.

Power is bullish on four fresh- whether winning or losing, will enPower said depth won’t be a men who played on a successful tertain people. I think the fans like problem this season. middle school team at St. John of the action.”

“This year we have tremendous the Cross. Guards Katie Moore and They like winning, too, and Powdepth and that means we can run Kayle Fredain and 6-1 post play- er feels the Friars are ready to proour system,” Power said. “We have ers Dana Johnson and Charlotte vide victories. a lot of firepower. The thing we Quinn – the daughter of former “We might get off to a slow start have to work on is our defense and longtime Fenwick boys basketball but I really think we have the talwe are working hard at it. coach John Quinn – all are expect- ent to surprise some people and “Last year [defense] really hurt ed to contribute. make some noise,” Power said. “All us. We would score 75 points but the That’s mainly because Power’s the girls have gotten a lot better. other team would put up 78 or 80.” high-octane system demands a “This is one of the best shooting The Friars return the bulk of lot of energy. He’s sticking with it teams I’ve ever had. We could polast year’s roster, a group of talent- despite last year’s poor results, so tentially break some scoring reed girls who are eager to put last expect hockey-style line changes cords. This year we feel confident year’s struggles in the rearview every few minutes. to go pedal to the metal and we’re mirror.

“The first three minutes we’ll really looking forward to getting Senior guards Jenny and Jessica play 10 girls,” Power said. “We’re back to winning.”

Mackowiak will lead the way. The divvying up the starters so each The Friars lost their season 5-9 twin guards have committed to [line] will be equally balanced.” opener 68-60 to Marist.

Southeast Missouri State and can fill up the basket from three-point land. So, too, can another senior guard, Jessica Moriarty.

Head coach: Dave Power Newcomers: Katie Moore, Moriarty is playing for her third Record last year: 13-18 (5-4 East fr., G; Kayle Fredain, fr., school in four years, having transferred in from Mt. Assisi, which Suburban Catholic Conference) G; Dana Johnson, fr., F/C closed last spring. Moriarty has Key losses: Jade Owens, Maya Garland, Charlotte Quinn; Dana gone Downstate in the Three-Point Selena Mullins Johnson, fr., F/C Showdown in each of her first three Top returners: Jenny Mackowiak, sr., G; Quote: “I think you’re going to see a seasons, making the Queen of the Jessica Mackowiak, sr., G; Kiki Sheard, team that, whether winning or losing, Hills finals twice. She was the Class jr., G will entertain people.” – Power 1A winner for Christian Liberty as a freshman and the 2A winner for

Fenwick Friars at a glance

While the losses of Scott Lindsey (playing basketball at Northhitney Young western), Tom claimed both Planek and Dan boys and girls Dwyer to gradustate titles ation will be felt, in the Class look for junior 4A playoffs last season. guard Mike Prior to the Dolphins’ Smith to have sweep of state trophies, a great season. powerhouse programs Mike Ballard, like Simeon won four an Oak Parker straight state championwho attended St. ships in boys hoops (2010Sports Editor Giles, is another 2013), while Bolingbrook key returner and Montini dominated with a deadly the girls scene with three state crowns apiece in Class 4A jump shot who appears ready for a breakout campaign. and 3A, respectively, since 2009.

OPRF girls: Like Maloney, While there’s a distinct poscoach J.P. Coughlin is also sibility none of the five high blessed with a plethora of school basketball teams in our talented perimeter players in area will claim a state chamHailey Hoye, Katie Mullins, Empionship this season, the hype ily Schreck, Chardonnay Harris surrounding any of our four and highly touted freshman Oak Park or one River ForestMaeve Nelson (from St. Luke based squads appears justified in River Forest). The Huskies, for the foreseeable future. who won over 30 games during In fact, considering the rich the summer season, also possess traditions of the OPRF and Fensize along the front line. Health wick boys and girls programs holds the key for OPRF which plus Trinity, it’s reasonable to was ravaged by injuries in 2013. suggest we’re blessed to be livFenwick girls: Although the ing in a basketball hotbed.

Friars finished an uncharacterThe programs, collectively, istic 13-18 last season, the Dave offer Hall of Fame coaches (Dave Power-led program has won two Power, Fenwick girls coach), state titles and recorded SIX Elite professional basketball players 8 or deeper appearances under his (Corey Maggette, Tricia Liston, watch since 2000. The Mackowiak Devereaux Peters, Fenwick; sisters, Jenny and Jessica, along Iman Shumpert, OPRF), state with fellow guard Kiki Sheard will champions (Fenwick girls, 2001 & trigger the team’s up-tempo, excit2007) and competitive teams on a ing brand of basketball this winter. regular basis (all five teams).

Trinity: On paper, the best of Here’s a synopsis of the state our local teams heading into the of each program.

2014/15 campaign appears to be OPRF boys: Coach Matt Maloney guided the Huskies to a Trinity. Coming off a 26-5 campaign, The Blazers, already off to a 20-7 record last season. Over the past five years, OPRF has topped 2-0 start this season, welcome back Annie McKenna, Patricia Stritzel 20 wins four times. Maloney has successfully maintained the pro- and Kaitlin Aylward. Add in a promising class of five freshmen gram’s success since replacing and the Blazers are well-positioned Al Allen in 2008. The Huskies for success this season and beyond. will field a relatively small but Coach Ed Stritzel has done a wonfast, skilled lineup this year, derful job reloading rather than led by returning players Elliot rebuilding the roster every season.

Greffin, Dallis Flowers, Connor So take your pick local basketFuller, Breshawn Wilkerson. ball fans. Time will tell which team Fenwick boys: Rick Malnati produces the best season. Like Malleads the Friars into competinati said in our preview about the tion after guiding the team to Friars’ fortunes this season, “It’s a 22-9 record in his Fenwick not who starts, it’s who finishes.” coaching debut last season.

By MARTY FARMER Sports Editor

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MARTY FARMER

Wednesday Journal, November 26, 2014

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Run with the Wolfpack this winter break!

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olfpack School of Basketball is offering fun and exciting programs this Winter Breaking starting on Monday, December 22 and continuing on Tuesday, December 23; Friday, December 26; Monday, December 29; Tuesday, December 30 and Friday, January 2. All programs will be held at St. Luke in River Forest.

Cub Introduction to Basketball Camp K-3rd Grade (Boys and Girls) 8:00am-9:00am This intro to basketball program is tailored to the needs of ALL beginners. Each player will get introduced to basketball in a fun and learning environment conducive to promoting the development of each individual. Camp drills and games will be catered/altered to the experience level of all campers.

Junior Smoking Gun Shooting Clinic

Smoking Gun Shooting Clinic

3rd-5th Grade (Boys and Girls) 9:00am-10:30am

6th-8th Grade (Boys and Girls) 10:30am-12:00pm

Keep your shooting fresh during winter break. This 6 day clinic features 90 minutes of non stop shooting work at a time when the competition is dormant. Each session will be comprised of our unique Wolfpack shooting competitions including our signature “King of the Den” contest with chances to win custom Wolfpack Nike shoes. Age, gender and size are irrelevant in this camp due to the nature of team and individual shooting only competition.

Keep your shooting fresh during winter break. This 6 day clinic features 90 minutes of non stop shooting work at a time when the competition is dormant. Each session will be comprised of our unique Wolfpack shooting competitions including our signature “King of the Den” contest with chances to win custom Wolfpack Nike shoes. Age, gender and size are irrelevant in this camp due to the nature of team and individual shooting only competition.

Visit wolfpackschoolofbasketball.com or call (708) 669-9762 for more info.

Go to OakPark.com and see the article about Wolf Pack

by Wednesday Journal Sports Editor Marty Farmer.

Winter Basketball Programs Grades K-8 • Starting December 22nd at St. Luke

for more info, visit www.wolfpackschoolof basketball.com or email info@wolfpackschoolofbasketball.com

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Wednesday Journal, November 26, 2014

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

OPRF hopes to create ‘Huskie Havoc’ on court With four guards, Huskies will play up-tempo basketball and apply pressure defense

By MARTY FARMER Sports Editor

Pressure defense has been the trademark of the Oak Park and River Forest High School boys basketball program for years. Entering this season, head coach Matt Maloney is looking to increase the intensity at both ends of the floor by necessity and design.

OPRF will start 6-0 Breshawn Wilkerson, 6-1 Dallis Flowers, 6-2 Connor Fuller and 6-3 Elliot Greffin (all guards) along with either 6-4 Brendan Toye or 6-6 Liam Shannon at center.

Welcome to Huskie Havoc, an up-tempo, exciting style of play suited to OPRF’s personnel.

“We’re trying to develop an identity of ‘Huskie Havoc’ which is very similar to what VCU does on the college level,”

OPRF junior Connor Fuller worked hard over the summer to develop his game. He’ll play a key role in the Huskies’ 4-guard starting lineup.

DAVID PIERINI/Staff Photographer

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Wednesday Journal, November 26, 2014

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Oak Park and River Forest Huskies at a glance Head coach: Matt Maloney Record last year: 20-7 (8-4 West Suburban Conference Silver Division); Third place at Pontiac Holiday Tournament Key losses: Erick Locke, Jason Gant, Simmie Cobbs, Javonni Harrell Top returners: Elliot Greffin, sr., G/F; Dallis FlowMaloney said. “Defensively, we always want to be pressure-based with man-to-man as our core defense along with some different presses and zones. This year, we’ll be able to press more which is to my liking.”

The effectiveness of the Huskies’ fourguard attack will rely on the players’ versatility.

“All four guards played major minutes with Dallis and Elliot starting at certain points of last season,” Maloney said. “They can all shoot, run the floor, handle the ball and defend. Offensively, we have a system that will allow them some freedom to create opportunities for themselves and others.”

Juniors Sam Francis and Deandre Enoch along with 6-3 sophomore swingman Cameron Gross are expected to contribute off the bench. Maloney is also very high on 6-3 freshman, Alan Griffin, the son of Adrian Griffin who is an assistant coach with the Chicago Bulls and former NBA player.

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ers, sr., G; Connor Fuller, jr., G/F; Breshawn Wilkerson, jr., G/F Newcomers: Cameron Gross., soph., F; Alan Griffin, fr., F Quote: “I think we’ll have a little more depth this season with players who can stretch the floor.” -Maloney Woods, Jeremiah Horton, Zach Harris and Markus Allen comprise the rest of the team.

The Huskies’ mix of returning players and promising newcomers offers cause for optimism.

“Even though we’re only returning a few seniors, we don’t want to call this a rebuilding year,” said Greffin, who shot 44 percent on three-pointers last season. “We think of it as a reloading year. Since we are going to start four guards it’s going to be a faster pace. We have to play fast, play defense and block out.

“I’ll probably have to play a stretch four, but I’m comfortable with that role. I’m excited about the season and will give it everything I have for us to be successful.”

Like Greffin, Fuller has been working on his all-around game as the Huskies will face several tough teams with a decided size advantage in and out of the West Suburban Conference Silver Division.

“I’ve been on my defense, jump 11/7/14 11:44 working AM

shot, everything really,” Fuller said. “All of our games will be tough because we play in one of the best conferences. We’re going to have to come out and fight for every win. We have a lot of young guys coming up who can support our team this year. I know we have the potential to do well.”

Last season, the Huskies benefitted from the solid play of several senior stars like point guard Erick Locke, Jason Gant and Simmie Cobbs en route to a 20-7 record.

“We are hoping that guys who earned playing time [last year] can adjust from being role players to key contributors,” Maloney said. “Our players have hopes for the season. We had a nice summer season, much better than I think anyone expected. It’s still summer basketball so we know guys are missing and teams tend to be vanilla, but it allowed us to build some confidence. Even though we probably lost the most players in conference, I think we can surprise some people.”

The schedule certainly offers no favors.

OPRF opens the season at the RiversideBrookfield Tournament this week. Then, a showdown again cross-town rival Fenwick awaits the Huskies in the Elite Classic, held at UIC on Fri., Dec. 5 (6 p.m.).

“Fenwick has been marked down on my calendar ever since last year [Fenwick defeated OPRF 51-40 in 2013],” Greffin said.

“Playing them especially at UIC is going to be fun.”

After their tussle with the Friars, OPRF begins conference play plus a stop at the

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Pontiac Holiday Tournament, arguably the best Christmas tournament in the state.

“Sometimes I look at the schedule and wonder what the heck was I thinking,” Maloney said with a laugh. “You have to play the best competition though to test yourself as a basketball team. We definitely haven’t shied away from anybody. Hopefully that will help us as the season wears on. I think our players are looking forward to the challenge.”

According to Maloney, defending conference champion Hinsdale Central is the preseason team to beat; however, the Huskies, Lyons Township, York and other teams will push the Red Devils.

Huskies vs. Friars 12/5 (6 p.m.) OPRF vs. Fenwick at UIC Elite Classic (boys) 1/15 /15 (77 p.m.) OPRF R at Fenwick (ggirls) RF

Wednesday Journal, November 26, 2014

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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