It`s beginning to sound like a broken record: East St. Louis Lincoln is among the favorites to win the Class AA basketball title.
Granted, the three-time defending champions may make it to Champaign again this year, but if it does it will be with a different look.
The Tigers return only two starters from a year ago, but they are good ones: 6-foot-6-inch power foward Cuonzo Martin, who averaged 25 points a game last season, and 6-3 1/2 forward-guard Chris McKinney (14.3 ppg).
Also returning to the team that went 29-4 is senior guard Stanford Riley. They will be joined by newcomers Artagus Williams, a 6-6 center, and guard Maurice Harton-both transfers from East St. Louis Assumption.
”We don`t have the personnel we`ve had in the past,” coach Bennie Lewis said. ”We aren`t as big and tall as we have been so we`ll definitely have to run and press more.”
East St. Louis Lincoln isn`t the only school outside the Chicago area that will make its presence felt throughout the state.
Rock Island, last year`s fourth-place finisher, returns four starters to a club that went 27-6. Seniors Chris Allison (7 ppg), Donnie White (13.6), Shayne McGaughy (12.5) and junior Tony Pulliam (11.1) all are hoping to make a return trip to Champaign. Junior David Robinson (6-5) should start at center. Quincy also has four players back from its 17-7 team a year ago. Six-foot-two guard Todd Wemhoener (19 ppg) heads the cast; coach Jerry Leggett says he ”can do it all.” Also back are 6-5 forward Tim Johnson (14 ppg), point-guard Lamar Rudd (9) and 6-8 center Chris Wilper (6).
Rockford Boylan, 22-8 last year, will rely on 6-0 guard Dave Reinhard (5 ppg, 7 assists) to help it reach the Sweet 16 for the sixth straight year.
Benton could be a surprise. Just 12-16 last year, the Rangers return three starters including JoJo Johnson (10.5 ppg) and twin brothers Jim and Steve Peters.
Keep an eye on Peoria Central, La Salle-Peru and East St. Louis Senior.
CLASS A
”We`re going to be comparable to last year`s team,” says Fairbury Prairie Central coach Charlie Strasburger.
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In other words, the Hawks are going to be tough.
Prairie Central could be the best of the Class A downstate teams. The Hawks return three top players to a team that went 30-2 and finished third in the state. Leading the way is senior point guard Gary Tidwell, who averaged 18.3 points a game and seven assists. Also back are 6-5 1/2 center Daton Kupferschmid (12.7 ppg) and guard Darin Bazzell (10.3).
”The scouts better be getting in here,” Strasburger said. ”We have three good college players right there.”
Others who will see a lot of playing time include senior guard Mark Elliott, 6-4 post-man Justin Cox and 6-2 forward Kent Aberle.
Another top team is the school with the longest name Norris City-Omaha-Enfield. With three returning starters, the Cardinals are also long on talent. The best of the bunch is coach Dave Gray`s son-Clay. The 6-4 senior forward averaged 19.5 points a game. Also back are senior point guard Travis Johnson (11 ppg) and 6-5 foward-center Reed Jackson (15.9).
Bring a program if you`re going to a Clifton Central game this season. Coach Ed Sennett has three sons on the team that went 24-3 last year including senior twins Tim and Tom. Tom averaged 22 points a game last year and Tim 15. Younger brother Ty also had 15 a game and returns. In the post, 6-5 senior Randy Gerdes averaged nine.
It`s bombs away at Flora. The Wolves, 27-4 last year, feature sharp-shooting senior Jim Locum, an outstanding three-point shooter. Also back is 6-7 senior center Curtis Leib and point guard Michael Powell.
Shelbyville also will be strong again. The Rams welcome back three starters from last year`s 25-3 team-Steven Nichols (17.8 ppg), Matt Maton (14) and Jarrett Brown (6).
Other teams to look for: Springfield Calvary, White Hall North Greene, Piasa Southwestern and Pinckneyville.
CHICAGO-AREA CLASS A
Luther South-6-5 forward Prentiss Rhodes (9 ppg, 5 rebounds, third year starting) and 6-3 forward Tremayne Smith (5 ppg, 4 points) started every game for the Braves last year. Coach Tony Rainey says 6-7 junior center Steve Conley and 6-1 junior guard Marcel Kerr, starting his first full year on varsity, will make a big difference in the paint and in the backcourt.
– Aurora Christian-All-state 6-6 forward-center Marc Davidson (19 ppg, 16.5 rebounds, 59 percent shooting from the field) stars for the Eagles, who finished 27-3 and lost to Wheaton St. Francis in the supersectional. Guard Mike Mann (7 points, 4 assists) is the only other starter to return for the Eagles, who lost 10 seniors. Senior guard Jake Chesney (5-9), forward Louis Lambert (6-1) and senior forward Tim Pavey (6-0) will also start. ”We`re realistically looking at 20 wins,” says coach Don Davidson. ”The only difference between last year and this year was that we had a really strong bench last year.”
– St. Edward-The Green Wave (19-7, third place in the West Suburban Catholic conference last year) has four starters back: 6-1 guard Eric Sauceda (22 ppg), 6-3 forward Jim Skarda (9 ppg, 8 rebounds), 6-4 senior forward Mike Deal (injured most of the year) and 6-4 senior forward Andy Snyder. Coach Joe Tullo, in his eleventh year of coaching, has won at least 20 games a season for seven straight years.