Coventry first-year coach Don Schenz is hoping the sum of the parts will equal the whole in terms of trying to replace Sasinouski’s scoring.

“Our biggest obstacle is a lack of varsity playing experience,” Schenz said. He anticipates a balanced scoring attack and is excited by the potential of his sophomore group. The Comets were 10-12 last season with a sectional win over Canton South.

Senior guards Steve Deckert and Jimmy Conner, along with juniors Traynell Brown and Jake Frounfelker, should form the backcourt rotation.

Sophomores Alex Tacket, Desmond Jacobs, and Steve Ilijevich will see plenty of action. Schenz was glad to have 6-foot-2 junior Brandon Burns rejoin the program.

Schenz is a Green High graduate, who played basketball for Roger Reynolds when the Bulldogs won a Suburban League title in 1991.

At Lake, Tom McBride begins his 10th season as head coach with a roster and rotation that could go 12 deep. “This is one of the deeper teams we’ve had,” he said. The Blue Streaks should be able to adjust and play big or small. “We’re working to identify roles because we have a nice blend of shooters, penetrators, and defenders.”

Lake was 12-9 last winter, including a huge win at Hoover. Senior Josh Habeck and junior Derek Sitlzar will share the point guard duties. Seniors Allen Meffan and Bryan Babbo are wings, while seniors Alex Loy and Nick Harig are forwards. 

“Decision making is important for us right now,” McBride said. “Sometimes we’re almost playing a step too fast.”

Sophomore Ryan Roth, a 6-foot-4, 215-pounder, is a mobile big guy and an exciting prospect.
Mark Kinsley starts his 11th season with the Green Bulldogs and he’s glad to welcome back some tall timber. Rugged 6-foot-3 junior Kurt Gamby, who gave up basketball after two knee surgeries, has returned, along with 6-foot-4 senior Ramon Sherman, who stepped away last season.

Gamby and Sherman, plus 6-foot-3 junior Colin Vielhaber and 6-foot-2 senior David Gobrogge, give Kinsley some options along the baseline. Vielhaber had a solid JV season in 2007-08, and Gobrogge is a versatile, athletic player who will battle inside.

The Bulldogs, 14-8 last season, have two veteran point guards in senior Adam Spray and junior Ryan Wilson. Senior Ben Pollock and sophomore Chris Witmer provide perimeter shooting.
Green opened with Stow and will play three Federal League opponents (Lake, GlenOak, Jackson) to go along with a 14-game Suburban League slate.

Lake Center Christian has four seniors among six returning letter winners from last season’s 15-8 team. Coach Brad Buen reports there are “high expectations” for the Tigers this winter.
LCCS is adjusting to life after 1,000-point score Cody Miller, but Buen likes his mix of players. Senior wing Shane Byler averaged 15.6 points per game last season and was Div. IV honorable mention all-district. Sophomore point guard Austin Troyer started a year ago and gained valuable experience.

Junior wing Chris Dutcher is a 40 percent three-point shooter, and along with senior wing Ned Ring, gives the Tigers two more proven perimeter scorers. Seniors Erick Locker and Jesse Coblentz do the heavy lifting in the post. Keep an eye on sophomore Brock Justice, who averaged 18 points for the JV squad last season.

At Manchester, coach Gene Schindewolf will likely be asking his Panthers to “Look inside!” with 6-foot-5 senior Tim Pfeiffer returning.

Pfeiffer has a nice offensive repertoire from the block, including an effective hook shot, and excellent timing for shot blocking on the defensive end.

The critical piece for the Panthers is ball handling and floor generalship. Schindewolf is counting on seniors Cody Cross and Stephen Lewis to step up in the backcourt. Tyler Masters is a sophomore guard prospect.

Swing player Craig Parsons and forward Kory Hull are two senior letter winners with good experience. The Panthers are looking to bounce back from a 7-15 mark last winter.

Manchester also has a talented sophomore class that will replenish the JV ranks and eventually make its mark at the varsity level.

Green (Dec. 29) and Manchester (Dec. 30) are slated to play in the K. Jack Greynolds Classic at Barberton High School