Outlook: Lemont is the team to beat in this new conference, made up of teams from the Southwest Suburban. Lemont returns Jason Taylor and Mark Madej. Evergreen Park will challenge with the tallest front line in the league.
Top players: Lemont F-C Taylor, 6-2, jr., C Madej, 6-3, sr.; Ridgewood G B.J. Cook, 6-1, sr.; Evergreen Park F Mike Czorwinski, 6-4, sr.; Riverside-Brookfield G Jeromy Franks, 6-2, sr., F Alex Smith, 6-5, sr.; Westmont G Scott Andrews, 6-5, sr.; Elmwood Park F Phil Pytlak, 6-1, sr., G Obed Reyes, 5-7, sr.
Quotable: Ridgewood coach Lou Benedetto: “While we play the same division games as last year, our crossover games with Kaneland, Sycamore and Fenton add to our schedule’s difficulty.”
Key games: Lemont at Evergreen Park, Dec. 15; Evergreen Park at Lemont, Feb. 9.
Defending champion: None (Lemont won Southwest Suburban)
Predicted finish: Lemont, Evergreen Park, Westmont, Riverside-Brookfield, Ridgewood, Elmwood Park