Pioneer Press previews the area boys basketball teams in the West Suburban Gold entering the 2016-17 season.
Hinsdale South
Coach: Brett Moore
2015-16 record: 22-10 (9-3 West Suburban Gold), lost to Benet in Class 4A sectional semifinal
Backcourt: Senior D.J. Anderson is the only starter back from a team that lost four multiple-year starters. “I would not say we are young, because we return a good group of seniors,” Moore said. Homewood-Flossmoor transfer Nick Perry, Destin Talbert and Karol Lipiszko should see plenty of floor time. “We have talent,” Moore said. “We have a lot of speed and think we are going to be able to shoot the ball this year.”
Frontcourt: The Hornets will not have a true center, as they did with four-year starter Barret Benson, who is at Northwestern. Oswego East transfer Justin Kolzow, Christian Lopez and Zion Griffin will all contribute at forward. “Zion Griffin is a junior that was one of the top sophomores in the area last year,” Moore said. “He has really been working hard to get consistency in his game. He is going to be able to score inside.”
Did you know: Because of their depth at the position, the Hornets might go small at times and have five guards on the floor. “It is an option that we will definitely play with at times this year,” Moore said. “We might have a guard playing in the post at times.”
Leyden
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Coach: Bill Heisler
2015-16 record: 8-19 (1-11 West Suburban Gold), lost to De La Salle in Class 4A regional semifinal
Backcourt: Once the game of 6-foot-1 sophomore Ocean Johnson matures, “he’s going to be a good one,” coach Bill Heisler said. “He can score and create his own shot, which is something we really need, and he just needs to be more aggressive.” Junior Jake Fiala is a creative ballhandler, while seniors Michael DiBeasi, Joe Martinez, and Michael Wilms, along with junior Elkin Mejia, will all battle for spots in the guard rotation.
Frontcourt: “We’ll probably go four guards and one big,” Heisler said, and that “big” is 6-foot-3 Jose Alvarado, who missed much of his junior year with a back injury and enters his senior year as a team captain. “He just hustles to everything, he’s a workhorse and he’s very athletic and active on the glass. When he came back last year, we got a lot better.” Alvarado’s role as a rebounder will key the Eagles’ plan to utilize their guards in transition.
Did you know: Heisler said he promotes service to the community in his program. The Eagles will participate in junior- and senior-run dinners, throw a program-wide pizza night, attend a local college game together to watch a few former Leyden players play and take part in an annual school-wide charity event aimed at helping a Leyden family or individual in need.
Patrick Kelly and Gary Larsen are freelance reporters for Pioneer Press.
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