High school boys basketball preview: Team-by-team previews for 2021

DeKalb Barbs

Coach: Mike Reynolds, second season

Last season: 23-9, lost to Hononegah in a Class 4A Guilford Regional semifinal

Top returners: Trenton Kyler, sr., G; Jamarcus Winters, sr., G

Key newcomers: Owen Krupp, sr., F; Lane McVicker, jr., G/F; Tyler Westberg, jr., G; Darrel Island, so., G

Worth noting: Kyler was a first-team selection to the Daily Chronicle All-Area Boys Basketball team last year, averaging 12 points, 3.5 assists and four rebounds a game for the Barbs, who won the DuPage Valley Conference in their first year in the league, also Reynolds’ first year with the team. … The team was worried about a schedule, but with DuPage County entering Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois health plan, the team should be able to play a full conference slate again this year. … Reynolds said the 6-foot-3 Krupp will turn a lot of heads this year. “He’s going to surprise some people,” Reynolds said. “He didn’t get a lot of minutes last year. It’s his time this year.” … McVicker is from DeKalb but moved to South Elgin, where he played for the high school team. The 6-4 combo guard transferred back into the district this year. … Reynolds said Island is going to be capable of some big things for the Barbs. “He’s going to have some growing pains,” Reynolds said, “but he’s going to have a nice three-year varsity career for us.”

Sycamore Spartans

Coach: Andrew Stacy, second season

Last season: 21-10, lost to St. Francis in Class 3A Burlington Central Regional semifinal

Top returners: Xavier Gagnepain, jr., F; Brody Armstrong, jr. PG; Hunter Alexander, sr., G; Ben Herrmann, sr., G/F; Bailey Wiegmann, sr., F; Sam Etiene, sr., G

Key newcomers: Tyler York, jr, G; Sam Stoner, jr., F

Worth noting: Gagnepain had a strong season as a sophomore for the Spartans, averaging 11.2 points and 6.1 rebounds a game for the Spartans. … The season opens for the Spartans on Thursday at home against Rock Falls. … In his second year back at the helm for the Spartans, Stacy said it’s been a whirlwind. “A week ago we wondered if we would even have a season,” Stacy said. “Everybody’s in the same boat, a little out of shape and trying to get stuff installed in a short turnaround. The fact this is Year 2 and not new makes it a little easier.” … Armstrong backed up Daily Chronicle All-Area first-team point guard Grant McConkey last year, but Stacy said he’s ready for the starting gig. … Etiene missed last season with an injury. … Stacy said he expects a deep rotation between playing so many games in such a short time plus having to play while wearing masks.

Kaneland Knights

Coach: Ernie Colombe, second season

Last season: 16-14, lost to Plano in a Class 3A Plano Regional semifinal

Top returners: Jamari Meeks, sr., G; Porter Conroy, sr., G

Key newcomers: David Kolev, sr., C; Brady Popovich, sr., G

Worth noting: The Knights just got the word Wednesday that their health region entered Phase 4, meaning competitive basketball can take place. Their Interstate 8 slate starts Tuesday. “We’re hoping the kids get the chance to play,” Colombe said. “We hope the trend continues.” … Colombe, a driver’s education teacher in the district, just came off a quarantine and has been at practice only a couple of days he said. … Meeks comes in at 6-5 and improved a lot in the offseason, Colombe said.

Genoa-Kingston Cogs

Coach: Ethan Franklin, third year

Last season: 18-16, lost to Rockford Lutheran in the Class 2A Rockford Lutheran Regional title game.

Top returners: Colin Nesler, jr., C; Alec Golembiewski, jr., G; Connor Schwitchenberg, sr., F

Key newcomers: Eagan Reames, jr., G; Jake Oates, jr., G; Josh Oates, jr., G

Worth noting: Franklin said the Cogs return most of their 2019-20 team intact, minus two seniors, one of whom got significant minutes. He said it’s time for a strong junior class to shine. “I’ve been very impressed with how quick we’ve been able to get back into the flow of things,” Franklin said. “Like I said, our juniors are a really strong class, and it’s coming along nicely so far. I would anticipate us being able to compete for anything.”

Indian Creek Timberwolves

Coach: Joe Piekarz, 15th year

Last season: 35-1, lost to Aurora Christian in the Class 1A DeKalb Supersectional

Top returners: Cameron Russell, sr., G; Michael Lampson, sr., G; Brennen McNally, sr., G; Drew Gaston, sr., G: Davis Stryker, sr., G

Key newcomers: Cole Oleson jr., G, Gage Oleson jr., F, Grant Schlorff, jr., G;

Worth noting: After a 35-1 season, four starters are back this year. And there won’t be another state run – there is no state tournament this year – but Piekarz said the group is happy for one last go-around. “We’re excited just being out on the court,” Piekarz said. “There’s been a lot of ups and downs these last few months, not just in basketball but in life in general, so the fact they get the opportunity to get back on the county one more time is outstanding for them. I’m so happy they get that opportunity.”

Hinckley-Big Rock Royals

Coach: Seth Sanderson, fourth year

Last season: 8-24, lost to Polo in a Class 1A Polo Regional play-in game.

Top returners: Richard Hintzsche, jr., G; Ben Hintzsche, so., F; Noah Badal, sr., F; Riley Hogan, sr., G

Key newcomers: Andy Gawel, jr., G; Judson Scott, jr., F

Worth noting: The four returners basically were starters by the end of last season, Sanderson said. Richard Hintzche (eight points, three rebounds, three assists a game last year and closer to 13/4/4 the last 10 games, Sanderson said) and Badal have been the most consistent in the offseason, he said. He added that there’s a huge junior class this year and figuring out the rotation will take time. “We’re very deep. We’re just trying to figure it out,” Sanderson said. “In our spots five through 11, we’re figuring out who it’s going to be.”

Hiawatha Hawks

Coach: Griffin McNeal, first season

Last season: 6-20, lost to Earlville in the first round of the Class 1A Rockford Christian Life Regional

Top returners: Jacob Sterling, G/F, sr.; Jacob Smith, F, sr.,; Matthew Korb, sr., F; Josue Rubio, sr., G

Key newcomers: Alex Hakes, split time jv, jr., F; Cole Brantley, soph., G; Austin Thomas, G, soph.

Worth noting: McNeal is a 2015 graduate of Genoa-Kingston and graduated Ripon College after playing football. He said he was looking for a job in Wisconsin but because of COVID-19 came back to Illinois and started applying. When he applied for a PE position at Hiawatha, he didn’t know basketball was open as well. “At 23, to take over a varsity program is kind of a dream come true,” McNeal said. “I hopped at the opportunity.” … Jacob Sterling averaged 12.9 points a game last season, more than anyone else in the county who returned this year.