High school boys basketball: Previewing teams from around the Suburban Life coverage area

The boys basketball season tips off this week. Here are previews of teams from around the Suburban Life coverage area.

Benet

Coach: Gene Heidkamp (13th season).

Last year’s record: 24-9, third place in East Suburban Catholic Conference.

Top returners: Tyler Van Eekeren, sr., F, 6-5; Sam Hennessy, sr., G, 6-2.

Worth noting: The Redwings have topped 20 wins in 11 consecutive seasons under Heidkamp, who last year recorded his 300th career win ... Benet has big shoes to fill with Colin Crothers, a four-year starter who averaged 14.8 points and 8.2 rebounds, now at Johns Hopkins ... Jack Prock, who averaged 11 points and made 79 3-pointers, also graduated ... Van Eekeren, committed to Division III power Washington University in St. Louis, averaged 8 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists and shot 42% from 3-point range for a Benet team last year that had its season cut short in the sectional semifinal when the postseason was canceled ... Hennessy is the Redwings’ other returning starter.

Downers Grove North

Coach: Jim Thomas (14th season).

Last year’s record: 14-15, 6-6 West Suburban Silver, third place.

Top returners: Jack Mielke, sr., F, 6-6; Kyle Engstler, sr., F, 6-5; Kevin Bozeman, sr., F, 6-6; Matt Schellbach, sr., F, 6-6; Eli Carter, sr., G, 6-2; Jake Demos, sr., G, 5-11; Nate Demos, sr., G, 5-11; Jake Morgan, sr., G, 6-1; Will Reimer, sr., 6-1, G; Aiden Stephens, sr., 6-2, G; Griffin Ilyavi, jr., 6-3.

Worth noting: The Trojans return all but one starter ... Mielke averaged nearly 15 points in a breakout junior season and gained 15 pounds during the offseason ... he committed to Division II Southern Indiana in November ... Thomas projects a balanced attack with 10 other seniors ... it’s a successful group that went 43-3 as underclassmen and were battle-tested as juniors in the tough West Suburban Silver and non-league schedule.

Downers Grove South

Coach: Kris Olson (ninth season).

Last year’s record: 9-19, 6-6 West Suburban Gold.

Top returners: Jake Dimovski, sr., G, 5-10; Kobe Jones, sr., F, 6-4; Kyle Fenner, sr., G, 5-10; Nathan Waterman, jr., F, 6-7; Michael Rheintgen, sr., F/C, 6-7.

Key newcomers: Chris Bell, jr., G, 6-0; Harold Dismukes, jr., G, 5-11; Patrick Laurich, jr., F, 6-6; Keaton O’Leary, jr., F, 6-4; Jaylen Montgomery, jr., G, 5-8.

Worth noting: The Mustangs return their starting five from last season ... Dimovski averaged 10 points and 3.5 assists, and Waterman 8.6 points and 6.4 rebounds ... Jones averaged 6.1 points and 4.9 rebounds, Fenner 4.3 points and 2.9 assists and Rheintgen 3.7 points and 3.5 rebounds ... added to that mix is a large group of juniors coming off a success sophomore season.

“The Mustangs will look to play an up-tempo style of offense,” Olson said. “They are looking forward to playing hard and playing as one unit in this shortened season.”

Fenwick

Coach: Staunton Peck (third season).

Last year’s record: 27-7, 12-3 Chicago Catholic League, second place.

Top returners: Bryce Hopkins, sr., G/F, 6-7; David Geiser, jr., G, 6-3; Max Reese, jr., F, 6-4; Gabe Madej, jr., F, 6-5; Eian Pugh, jr., G, 6-3; Denium Juette, jr., G, 6-3.

Key newcomers: TJ Stephenson, jr., G, 5-11.

Worth noting: Hopkins, who committed to Kentucky in October after originally pledging to Louisville, is the second-ranked senior in Illinois and a top 35 recruit nationally ... Hopkins, with a tremendous blend of power and athleticism, averaged 24 points and 10 rebounds as a junior ... the Friars return 80% of a team that reached a sectional final before its season was cut short by the pandemic ... Trey Pettigrew, who would have been one of the top juniors in the state, transferred to Hillcrest Prep in Arizona ... Geiser is an Ivy League caliber player ... Reese is a Division I tight end prospect with offers from Kansas and Arizona State, Pugh a future D1 wide receiver committed to Cincinnati ... Stephenson attended Fenwick his freshman year and played in Rockford last season.

“Our junior class is deep and talented – should be good with this team as seniors,” Peck said. “We should compete for a CCL championship this year.”

Glenbard East

Coach: Al Biancalana (first season).

Last year’s record: 22-9, 14-4 Upstate Eight, tied for third.

Top returners: LaDonus Rogers, sr., F, 6-5; Joe Hamilton, sr., G, 6-0; Jack Rivas, sr., F, 6-3; Terence Spencer, sr., F, 6-4; Sean Banks, sr., F, 6-0; Nick Janega, sr., G, 6-0.

Key newcomers: Jordan Rech, jr., G, 6-1; Dylan Crowe, jr., G, 6-0; Tyrese Buffkin, jr, G/F 6-2.

Worth noting: One Hall of Fame coach replaces another, as Biancalana takes the reins from retiring Scott Miller ... Biancalana has won 416 games in 22 seasons, most recently at DeKalb, and was also a collegiate assistant for 10 years at Bradley and UIC ... He joins a program with three starters back from a 22-win regional champ ... Rogers averaged 7.8 points and a team-high 6.5 rebounds as a junior ... Hamilton averaged 5.6 points and was second on the Rams in made 3-pointers, and Rivas added 5.1 points ... the Rams have to make up for the production of graduated DaRon Hall ... the Upstate Eight MVP averaged 21.4 points and scored 41 points in the regional final win over Batavia ... Glenbard East’s sophomore team last year won the Upstate Eight Conference, so the future is bright.

“This group has a chance to be very competitive in the abbreviated Upstate Conference,” Biancalana said.

Glenbard South

Coach: Wade Hardtke (15th season).

Last year’s record: 25-5, 16-2 Upstate Eight Conference, first place.

Top returners: Aryton Temcio, sr., F, 6-3; Cade Hardtke, sr., G, 6-1; Trevor Burnett, jr., G, 5-8; Yazan Blan, sr., F, 6-1.

Key newcomers: Louie Esposito, jr., G; D’Manual Payton, so., G; Armon Yarbrough, jr., G.

Worth noting: The Raiders return two starters and two all-conference players in Temcio and Hardtke ... Glenbard South has posted back-to-back 25-wins seasons, the best two-year stretch in 20 years ... Cade Hardtke averaged 8 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists last season, the assists sixth all-time at Glenbard South in a single season ... he needs 24 assists to climb to top 10 in career assists in program history ... Temcio averaged 13 points and 7 rebounds as a junior ... Burnett, who averaged 4 points and 3 rebounds, is a returner who got minutes as a sophomore and Blan, who averaged 3 points and 2 rebounds, also saw some action.

“We have some kids back, but we do not have kids that would have normally played whether it is Covid-related or impact of other sports getting ready to start as well,” coach Hardtke said. " I think it is really hard to tell who will be good or not in such a short time and unforeseen circumstances. Senior leadership is going to be more important than ever. The team with the most experience may have the biggest advantage just because they may turn the ball over less giving them the best opportunity to succeed.”

Glenbard West

Coach: Jason Opoka (second season).

Last year’s record: 16-14, 3-9 West Suburban Silver.

Top returners: Braden Huff, jr., F, 6-9; Caden Pierce, jr., G, 6-5; Paxton Warden, jr., G, 6-3; Aidan Murphy, sr., G, 6-6; Daniel Mulcare, sr., F, 6-6; Troy Glover II, sr., C, 6-8.

Key newcomers: Ryan Renfro, jr., F, 6-7.

Worth noting: Few teams have the potential and length across the board as the Hilltoppers ... Huff, who averaged 15.7 points and 7.6 rebounds and shot 39% from the 3-point line as a sophomore, holds offers from Wisconsin, Northwestern, Creighton and Virginia Tech ... Pierce, a versatile guard who played the point out of necessity last year, is a stellar passer and strong rebounder for his position, as he averaged 3.5 assists and 7 rebounds as a sophomore ... He has offers from UIC and Wisconsin-Milwaukee ... Warden, an active defender and sneaky athletic, has already made big shots with the game on the line ... Murphy, primarily Glenbard West’s sixth man last year, has improved his ball handling, has a standing vertical of 35 inches and is committed to Carnegie Mellon ... Mulcare, an inside presence who has improved his ball skills, is being recruited by several Division III schools ... Renfro started on the sophomore team as a freshman, moved to Dallas last year, but now is back and adds a physical low post threat ... Glover is a raw prospect who just started playing basketball two years ago and has drawn interest from multiple junior colleges.

Hinsdale Central

Coach: Nick Latorre (11th season).

Last year’s record: 14-17, 7-5 West Suburban Silver, second place.

Top returners: Charlie Sessa, sr., F, 6-5; Quinn Cain, sr., G, 6-3; Charlie Herbst, sr., G, 6-1.

Key newcomers: Ben Oosterbaan, so., G, 6-4; Jake Quast, jr., G, 6-2; Matt Hughes, jr., G, 6-7.

Worth noting: Latorre enters his 20th season as a head coach ... the Red Devils have big shoes to fill with the graduation of three-year varsity player Ryan Isaacson, who averaged 18.1 points last year ... Sessa, who averaged 8 points and 4 rebounds as a junior, will play football collegiately at Columbia ... Cain is committed to play at Tufts ... The Red Devils took a hit in the fall when 6-foot-8 sophomore Matas Buzelis, one of the state’s top prospects, transferred to Brewster Academy prep school in New Hampshire.

“It’s tough to project given the current situation – we are very thankful, happy and excited to have this opportunity to have a season,” Latorre said.

Hinsdale South

Coach: Brett Moore (eighth season).

Last year’s record: 30-3, 11-1 West Suburban Gold, first place.

Top returners: Bobby Durkin, jr., G, 6-5; Garrett Bolte, jr., F, 6-5; Trey King, sr., G, 5-8; Maurice Houston, sr., G, 5-9; Ahmad Tims, sr., F, 6-4.

Worth noting: The Hornets were one of the best stories in the area last year, winning a program record 30 games and a Gold championship with four senior starters, a season unfortunately that was cut short in sectionals because of the coronavirus pandemic ... A ton of experience graduated, but Durkin made 72 3-pointers as a sophomore and enters his third varsity season ... Bolte missed almost his entire freshman season with a football injury, and last year came off the bench and played every position other than point guard. ... “He has the potential to be a breakout player in the area,” Moore said ... King, Houston and Tims were all contributors to last year’s team.

“While we graduated a lot of talented players, we are hoping to reload for another good run,” Moore said. “Seniors and juniors on this year’s team got a great look at what it takes to be highly successful and want their chance at a run.”

IC Catholic Prep

Coach: TJ Tyrrell (ninth season).

Last year’s record: 17-16, 3-7 Metro Suburban.

Top returners: Johnny Falduto, sr., PG, 5-9; Danny Roberto, sr., G, 5-9; Michael Hilgart, sr., G/F, 6-1; Jake LaSpisa, sr., G/F, 6-0; Antonio Richardson, jr., F, 6-2; John Hilgart, jr., F, 6-3; Augie Wassmann, jr., G, 5-11.

Key newcomers: Darius Ezell, sr., G/F, 6-2; Justin Hall, sr., F, 6-0; Liam Johnson, jr., G, 6-0.

Worth noting: Roberto, Falduto and Michael Hilgart, each with three years of varsity experience, lead a balanced squad ... Standout guard Chauncey Lee, an Eastern Illinois football recruit, is not playing this season as he is working before football starts ... the Knights do get a boost with the return of athletic senior Justin Hall, who missed last season with an injury ... Tyrrell expects that Ezell, who had to sit out last season after transferring to IC Catholic, will make an immediate impact with strength and intensity ... Richardson and John Hilgart are also expected to receive big minutes ... “Balance and team basketball should lead to success for this gritty ICCP squad,” Tyrrell said.

Lemont

Coach: Rick Runaas (12th season).

Last year’s record: 17-11, 8-5 South Suburban Blue

Top returners: Kyle Kostes, sr., G, 6-2; Luke Logiurato, sr., F, 6-2.

Key newcomers: Nojukas Indrusaitis, fr., 6-4; Matas Castillo, so., G, 5-10; Rokas Castillo, so., G, 5-10.

Worth noting: The Indians will be quite young, with two sophomores and a freshman likely starting. Kostes averaged 16.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists as a junior, Logiurato 5.3 points and 4.6 rebounds. Runaas thinks that Indrusaitis “could be one of our best.”

“We will depend on outstanding senior leadership from Kostes and Logiurato,” Runaas said.

Lyons Township

Coach: Tom Sloan (13th season).

Last year’s record: 21-9, 6-6 West Suburban Silver, fourth place.

Top returners: Christian Desimone, sr., G/F, 6-4; Cade Nelson, sr., G, 5-11; Tommy Asleson, sr., G/F, 6-2; Miles Kaminski, sr., G, 6-0; Danny Ciecko, sr., G, 6-1; Emmett Spolar, sr., F, 6-2.

Key newcomers: Tavari Johnson, jr., G, 6-0.

Worth nothing: The graduation of All-Area guard Grant Niego, who averaged 19.5 points last season, leaves a void ... The Lions return three players with varsity experience in Desimone, Nelson and Asleson.

“The others lack varsity experience, but are very competitive, tough, and unselfish,” Sloan said.

Montini

Coach: Adam DeMong (first season).

Last year’s record: 9-22.

Top returners: Jemari Moore, sr., G, 6-3; Andrew Stokes, jr., F, 6-4; AJ Ashford, sr., G, 6-0; Antoine Harris, sr., G, 6-0; Tyler Leeberg, jr., G, 5-11.

Worth noting: DeMong, who has been an assistant coach and associate coach at the college and high school levels, takes the reins at Montini ... DeMong, a Glen Ellyn native who played in high school at Glenbard West and was a member of a Big East championship team at Boston College, served as an assistant coach in high school at St. Patrick and Glenbard West ... Collegiately he served as assistant coach and associate head coach at Lewis University, and as an assistant coach at Loyola and Ohio ... Knox College recruit Moore was honorable mention all-conference as a junior, averaging 13.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists ... Stokes, who DeMong said is a potential Division I player, averaged 12.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists ... Harris averaged 10.8 points and 3.7 rebounds and Ashford 6.3 points and 2.4 rebounds.

“New coach with a veteran team. We’re hoping to surprise some people,” DeMong said.

Morton

Coach: Tony Martinucci (21st season).

Last year’s record: 23-9, 10-2 West Suburban Gold, second place.

Top returners: Jesus Perez, sr., G, 5-6; Joshua Dowdell, sr., F, 6-1; Eliseo Gonzalez, jr., G, 5-10; Matthew Rivera, sr., G, 6-0; Alex Cortes, sr., G, 5-8;

Key newcomers: Dakari Durham, so., F, 6-5; Victor Garrett, so., F, 6-4; Aaron Miramontes, so., F, 6-4; Armoni Flowers, jr.; Anthony Martinez, jr.; Darnell Usry, jr.; Adrian Anderson, so..

Worth noting: The Mustangs come off a stellar season, their 23 wins the most since 2009 with the program’s first regional title since 2015 ... Perez, also a star soccer player, is electric with the ball in his hands ... he averaged 13 points and close to 7 assists and 3 assists last season at the catalyst of Morton’s high-octane offense. “Normally I try to downplay everything but man is he good,” Martinucci said... Gonzalez, memorably, scored 27 points with five 3-pointers in the second quarter of an overtime win over Downers Grove South ... Durham, Garrett and Miramontes bring great size to work off Perez’s drive-and-dish game ... Dowdell was the Mustangs’ sixth game last year, while Anderson will serve as Perez’s point guard understudy ... Martinucci just wishes this team could have had a full season to realize its potential.

“I have four really good sophomores, they are big, they can play,” Martinucci said. “You put Jesus with kids like that, we could have been really good.”

Riverside-Brookfield

Coach: Mike Reingruber (fourth season).

Last year’s record: 22-11, first place in the Metro Suburban.

Top returners: John Paul Hanley, jr., G/F, 6-3; Michael Bloodgood, sr., G, 6-0; Deandre Harris, sr., G/F, 6-3.

Key newcomers: Joe Gilhooley, jr., G/F, 6-4; Cory Baker, jr., G, 6-0; Joevonn McCottry, jr., G, 6-2; Brady Vaia, jr., G, 5-9; Dahmarion Murrell, jr., G, 5-7; Julian Colon, sr., G, 6-1; Will Gonzalez, fr., G/F, 6-3; Eddie Melidis, jr., G, 6-0.

Worth noting: The Bulldogs’ program has won three straight conference titles, and 18 league championships in 19 years ... R-B has also won two consecutive regional titles ... Reingruber is excited about his junior class, a group led by Hanley – the Bulldogs’ only returning starter averaged 7 points and 3 rebounds last year.

“The last few years we have been very senior dominated and I expect this year to be a little different, combining some returners with the newcomers coming up from the sophomore level, where they were very successful last season,” said Reingruber, who is 69-27 in his first three seasons as head coach.

“We will be smaller than years past, so rebounding is a concern, but our guys are very skilled. We have multiple players that can pass, dribble and shoot.”

St. Francis

Coach: Erin Dwyer (sixth season).

Last year’s record: 21-13, third in Metro Suburban Conference.

Top returners: Sebastian Miller, jr., G, 6-2; Brendan Yarusso, jr., G, 6-1.

Key newcomers: Jack Brennan, G; Jack Locasio, F; Brian Zulauf, F; Nick Ciombor, F; Sean Killian, F; Nick Rowlan, F; Colin Kiesler, G.

Worth noting: The Spartans last year won their second regional title in three years and eighth in program history ... Miller, memorably, made the game-winning layup with five seconds left to beat Burlington Central on its home floor in the regional final ... the Spartans return two starting guards in Miller and Yarusso, who both averaged 10 points as sophomores ... graduated 6-foot-4 forward Robert Nocek, who averaged 14.8 points and 8.4 rebounds, leaves a big void inside ... sophomore TJ McMillen, a Division I football recruit, opted to not play basketball this year ... “A host of talented seniors and juniors will make for a deep roster looking to make an impact,” Dwyer said.

Timothy Christian

Coach: Scott Plaisier (fourth season).

Last year’s record: 28-5, 12-0 Metro Suburban Conference, first place.

Top returners: Josh Harris, sr., G/F, 6-3; Ben VanderWal, jr., G/F, 6-6; Ben Jones, sr., G, 5-9; Trey Keizer, jr., G/F, 6-3; Matija Marinkovic, sr., G/F, 6-2.

Worth noting: The Trojans had a magical run last year, qualifying for state for the first time since 1980 – but were unable to play in Peoria as the state tournament was canceled because of COVID-19 ... Timothy Christian has several quality pieces returning for a senior-heavy team ... Harris is a big-time scorer who has led the Trojans in scoring the last two seasons, 14 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists last year, and is nearing 1,000 career points ... VanderWal, who averaged 10 points and 9 rebounds, led the Trojans in rebounding last year and will look to fill the scoring gap left by the graduations of seniors Matt Owens and AJ Vos ... Jones is a good shooter and quick defender who will be the Trojans’ primary ball handler, Keizer is a good shooter with range and Marinkovich a strong defender and passer.

Westmont

Coach: Craig Etheridge (22nd season).

Last year’s record: 14-19, 5-7 Metro Suburban.

Top returners: Qati Dalipi, sr., P, 6-6; Tyler Jarvis, sr., G, 6-2; Leo Requiron, sr., G, 5-7.

Key newcomers: Caleb Kleinz, jr., G, 6-0; Nikola Bagdanovic, jr., P, 6-6; Ryan Domin, jr., P, 6-2; Joey Dooley, so., G, 5-10.

Worth noting: The Sentinels have size and good shooters, but play in a highly competitive league. Dalipi was an honorable mention all-conference pick last year.

“Trying to get the new players to mesh with returning players is going to be difficult,” Etheridge said. “Our new players will need to step in and contribute right away if we expect to have a successful season. It will be interesting to see how we matchup against the private schools and bigger public schools in the conference.”

Wheaton Academy

Coach: Steve Thonn (fourth season).

Last year’s record: 22-11, second place in Metro Suburban.

Top returners: Jack Oswald, sr., F, 6-2; Bryce Swift, sr., F, 6-3.

Key newcomers: Sam Anderson, sr., G, 6-0; Cole Andrews, jr., F, 6-4; Josh Oswald, jr., G, 6-0; Gabe Sams, sr., G, 6-2.

Worth noting: The Warriors are a young team with only two players – Jack Oswald and Swift – back from last year’s regional champion that received playing time ... chief among the graduations was Marcus Bult, a three-year starter who averaged 15.7 points and 6.9 rebounds last year ... the Warriors do bring in a good group of juniors that have only lost five games in the last two years.

“We have an unknown team but they have worked extremely hard in this different type of off season and we are anxious to get on the court,” Thonn said.

Wheaton North

Coach: Dave Brackmann (ninth season).

Last year’s record: 16-15, 5-9 DuKane Conference, sixth place.

Top returners: Connor Haake, sr., G, 6-2; Sam Cascella, sr., G, 5-6.

Key newcomers: Robbie Bonga, jr., F; Troy Hegranes, sr., F; Tristan Mackay, sr., F; Mark Forcucci, jr., G; Hugh Werner, sr., F; Seth Kortenhoeven, jr., G; Noah Froebe, jr., G; Braden Parente, sr., G.

Worth noting: The Falcons are shooting for their eighth straight winning season ... Haake started at times last year, averaging 3.9 points and shot 39% from the 3-point line and 47% from the field ... Cascella also received starts, averaged 2.4 points while shooting 39% from the 3-point arc and 90% from the free-throw line.

“We have a lot of new faces but a lot of potential on both ends of the floor,” Brackmann said. “We hope to keep improving each week.”

Wheaton Warrenville South

Coach: Mike Healy.

Last year’s record: 20-12, 7-7 DuKane Conference.

Top returners: Parker Brown, sr., G, 6-0; Yonaton Algerwerash, sr., G, 5-11; Tyler Fawcett, jr., F, 6-5; Jaylen Brown, sr., G, 5-11; Micah Kim sr., G, 5-10, Brandon Schnack sr., 6-4, F; Michael McCann sr., 6-4, F; Aidan McCoyd sr., 6-0, G.

Key newcomers: Danny Healy jr.; Rourke Robinson jr.; Matt Sommerdyche jr.; Sam Michalak jr.

Worth noting: Brown, an all-conference pick last year, leads the Tigers’ returners ... Algerwerash and Fawcett were both honorable mention all-conference selections ... Healy said the Tigers want to play faster this year and play a ton of guys.

“Love our guys, they have worked their tails off and are ready to go,” Healy said.

Willowbrook

Coach: Ryan Tzszkiewicz.

Last year’s record: 13-20, 4-8 West Suburban Gold, sixth place.

Top returners: None provided.

Worth noting: Tyszkiewicz will be the interim head coach for this season ... He was Willowbrook’s head sophomore coach for the last seven years and volunteered as a varsity assistant for two seasons prior to that.

It will be tough to make up for the lost production of Everett Stubblefield III, who graduated as Willowbrook’s all-time leading scorer with 1,414 career points and averaged 21.2 points last year with 89 3-pointers ... The Warriors also graduated second-leading scorer Sam Tumilty ... Sean Paige, a 6-foot-7 forward, showed potential as a sophomore.

“We graduated most of our roster from last year and are only expecting a couple returning players,” Tyszkiewicz said. “We are happy to be back in the gym and grateful that our athletes are given this opportunity to play. Overall, we are expecting to be a young, quick team hoping to use our speed to play up tempo basketball.”

York

Coach: Mike Dunn (first season).

Last year’s record: 28-5, 11-1 West Suburban Silver, first place.

Top returners: Jeff Grace, sr., G, 6-3; Nick Hesch, jr., F, 6-5; Denton Rhode, sr., F, 6-6; Luke Malaga, sr., G, 6-0; Drew Kircher, jr., G, 6-1.

Key newcomers: Alex Sherman, so., G, 6-1.

Worth noting: Dunn, previously the head coach at Yorkville for five seasons, takes the reins of the Dukes ... Dunn is the great-grandson of Clarence D. East, York’s first athletic director and basketball coach ... The Dukes graduated Suburban Life Player of the Year Nate Shockey, but five key players return ... York’s 57 wins the last two years is the best two-year run in program history ... Grace is a four-year varsity player, a returning all-conference selection that averaged 7.8 points and 4.1 rebounds and is an elite defender ... Hesch is a two-year varsity starter who averaged 6.2 points and 4.3 rebounds as a sophomore. Malaga is a Cornell football recruit.

Rhode, Malaga and Kircher all played important minutes off the bench last season and will now step into a starting role ... Sherman will be a spark off the bench.

“Excited for the opportunity to play,” Dunn said.