10 storylines put on hold along with boys basketball season

The 2020-21 high school boys basketball season – or more likely, a shortened 2021 boys basketball season – is still on the docket despite the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Should it take place, here are 10 storylines on which to keep an eye when the sneakers hit the hardwood:

1. Will the area’s seniors get one last go-round to show their basketball talents?

What a season might look like – if it is indeed played – is still up in the air, and is the top question on the minds of high school players, coaches and fans across the state, as well as those of the 13 schools in The Times-area.

The hopes are that senior boys hoopsters, including returning Times All-Area picks Fieldcrest's Jaxon Cusac-McKay, Cory Land, Henry Lorton; Ottawa's Anthony Cooper; and Marquette's Nick Melvin, all get a chance to finish off prep careers.

2. If they do get to play, how does Fieldcrest follow up a 27-win, regional- and sectional-championship season?

The Heart of Illinois Conference champion Knights rode a magical run through the postseason last spring, coming up one victory short of reaching a Class 2A state semifinal that unfortunately wasn't played – but the sting still remains.

With do-it-all four-year starting point guard Jaxon Cusac-McKay, who veteran head coach Matt Winkler says will transfer back to FHS after playing football this fall at Calloway County in Kentucky (and averaged 15.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.1 steals on his way to AP 2A All-State Honorable Mention honors), Cory Land and Henry Lorton back, the Knights will again be a tough team to beat.

3. How will Ottawa continue its long streak of successful campaigns?

Over the past five seasons, the Pirates and head coach Mark Cooper have averaged 19 wins a year with a combination of efficient offense and hard-nosed defense.

They've lost The Times 2020 Player of the Year, Myles Tucker, plus Drew Kaufman and T.J. McDonnell to graduation, but have sharpshooting guard Anthony Cooper back after he averaged 12.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.2 steals on the way to earning I-8 First Team and The Times Second Team honors. Having the lane presence of Zach Vogel will hopefully give the Pirates an effective inside-outside punch.

4. How does Streator follow up a 20-win season in which it contended for a conference title?

The Bulldogs were one win away from a three-way tie atop the Illinois Central Eight standings, and one shot away from reaching a Class 3A regional title game last season, but along the way compiled the most wins [20] in five seasons.

The squad returns junior forward Jack Haynes, a lanky but tough player who posted averages of 12.5 points and 9.3 rebounds in a year filled with double-doubles and both First Team I-8 and The Times First Team honors. Along with Haynes, guards Amarion Ford, A.J. Benning and Payton Benning should give the team a nucleus of high-energy players.

5. Will the ups-and-downs of last season, three returning starters and a healthy Luke Couch equal success for Marquette?

The 15-win Crusaders rode a roller coaster of a season in 2019-20, but head coach Todd Hopkins brings back starters in seniors Lucas Hoffman and Nick Melvin, along with sophomore Logan Nelson, plus a healthy Luke Couch, all of which should make this season a smoother ride.

Couch missed all but the final regular-season game and a pair of postseason games due to a wrist injury suffered in football, but shined in his return and will be looked upon in combination of Hoffman, Melvin and Nelson to lead Marquette to a fruitful season.

6. Can Somonauk duplicate last year's solid season?

The Bobcats under first-year head coach Curt Alsvig won 19 outings a season ago, and despite losing All-LTC selection Liam Roberts to graduation, his club this season looks to have the talent to be just as solid.

Alsvig will have back seniors Parker Sexton and Steven Lawson, as well as juniors Brendan Roberts and Times Third Team honoree Alex Krejci, so look for the Bobcats to be a tough matchup for any team they play.

7. With experience back, unlike last season, can an always-scrappy Seneca team put together another winning year?

Heading into last season, Fighting Irish head coach Russ Witte had lost all five starters and his sixth man. However, his squad – led by Times Third Team selection Ben Krause – found a way to register 19 victories, the consolation title at the Marseilles Holiday Tournament and a third-place finish at the TCC Tournament.

Krause has graduated, but players like seniors Chase Hauch, Trey Hauch, Cole Underhill, A.J. Stiegler, and junior Noah Quigley all gained experience in a winning formula.

8. How will Flanagan-Cornell, Serena, Woodland, Sandwich and Newark replace last season's leading scorers?

All five teams lost either their top or top two scorers from last season, so who will fill the role of the go-to point-getter this season?

9. With so much already missed, will players have a chance to compete for conference tournament titles?

The area's teams have already lost out on Thanksgiving and Christmas tournament action, so here is hoping that the last-remaining regular-season mainstays – like the 102nd Little Ten, 95th Tri-County and 110th McLean County/HOIC tourneys – find a way to be played.

10. Who will step up and emerge into Times All-Area performers if there is (hopefully!) a season?

Fifteen of the 22 Times All-Area spots last season were earned by seniors, creating plenty of opportunity on the court and in the statbook for new stars to emerge in 2021.

May they get that chance in 2021 ...