This is the third of six stories previewing some of the best conferences in the area.
Mid-Suburban League East
Favorite: Rolling Meadows
Coach Kevin Katovich returns all five starters, including 6-7 all-stater Ian Miletic and seasoned veteran Jack Duffer, from a team that won 22 games and the MSL East last season.
Top challenger: Hersey
This will be one of the most improved teams in the area with former Fremd coach Bob Widlowski taking over a program filled with talent and a ton of experience. Jackson Hupp is a productive 6-7 veteran who is one of seven players who either saw significant time or were role players. Plus, the younger classes are propped up well.
Sleeper: Prospect
A healthy Ben Schneider, who missed every game but two last season, is a massive addition for the Knights. The 5-11 senior guard was a double-figure scorer as a sophomore two years ago and is a point guard who makes those around him better.
Player to watch: Ian Miletic, Rolling Meadows
The four-year varsity star, who is headed to Marquette, put together a monster junior season. This year he’s a legit Player of the Year candidate.
Young player to keep an eye on: Alex Sirbu, Buffalo Grove
A young group at Buffalo Grove includes one with some experience: 6-8 sophomore Alex Sirbu. He averaged 8 points and 8 rebounds a game last year as a freshman and is an intriguing young player.
All-Conference: Ian Miletic and Jack Duffer, Rolling Meadows; Ben Schneider, Prospect; Brent Collar, Wheeling; Jackson Hupp, Hersey
Top storyline: It’s a new era at Hersey with veteran coach Bob Widlowski, whose 22-year tenure at Fremd was a big success before retiring at the conclusion of last season. He finished with a 396-208 record at Fremd and has returned to the bench.
Widlowski is set to take the same approach he did at Fremd, where he won four MSL championships, eight regional titles and guided two different teams to unbeaten regular seasons.
Predicted order of finish: Rolling Meadows, Hersey, Prospect, Buffalo Grove, Wheeling, Elk Grove.
Mid-Suburban League West
Favorite: Barrington
After grabbing a share of the MSL West last season along with Palatine, the Broncos have the potential to separate themselves with three returning starters. It’s a senior-dominated team with one exception: junior standout Oliver Gray.
Top challenger: Fremd
There are some big shoes to fill as first-year head coach Mike Brown takes over for the highly-successful Bob Widlowski. But Brown, a former player at Schaumburg and 12-year assistant under Widlowski, is as familiar with the MSL and Fremd as just about any first-year coach could be.
Sleeper: Schaumburg
Is it out of the question that the Saxons reverse course and embark on a worst-to-first turnaround season? Maybe that’s a stretch, but coach Jason Tucker returns 80 percent of his team’s scoring and has a catalyst in veteran guard Jordan Tunis (15.2 ppg), a two-time all-MSL performer.
Player to watch: Jordan Williams, Fremd
The physically gifted Williams is just a junior but has already gained plenty of varsity experience. Now the versatile 6-5 wing is poised for a big season after watching his stock soar in the offseason.
Young player to keep an eye on: Brady May, Palatine
It’s a bit of a reboot at Palatine following a historic season, but a player to keep an eye on is a familiar one. May is a skilled 6-4 sophomore and younger brother of Connor May, last year’s star and the school’s all-time leading scorer.
All-Conference: Oliver Gray, Barrington; Jordan Williams, Fremd; Bradley Biedke, Conant; Jordan Tunis, Schaumburg; Tony Balanganayi, Palatine
Top storyline: There are some big shoes to fill at Fremd as first-year head coach Mike Brown takes over for the highly-successful Bob Widlowski. He’s just the fourth basketball coach since the school opened in 1966.
But Brown is as familiar with the MSL and Fremd as just about any first-year coach could be. He was a star player at Schaumburg in the 1990s and has spent the past 12 years working under Widlowski.
Predicted order of finish: Barrington, Fremd, Schaumburg, Palatine, Hoffman Estates, Conant.