{"id":7254,"date":"2025-02-16T07:22:26","date_gmt":"2025-02-16T07:22:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/princetonillinois.com\/?p=7254"},"modified":"2025-02-16T07:22:26","modified_gmt":"2025-02-16T07:22:26","slug":"the-times-boys-basketball-preview-a-look-at-flanagan-cornell-fieldcrest-sandwich-and-our-little-ten-teams-shaw-local-news-network","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/princetonillinois.com\/?p=7254","title":{"rendered":"The Times boys basketball preview: A look at Flanagan-Cornell, Fieldcrest, Sandwich and our Little Ten teams – Shaw Local News Network"},"content":{"rendered":"


Serena\u2019s Beau Raikes shoots a 3-point shot during the Class 1A Harvest Christian Academy Sectional semifinal game last season against Harvest Christian Academy in Elgin. <\/span>(Sandy Bressner)
With boys basketball season starting across the state Monday, here is a look at the 2024-25 season for teams across The Times coverage area.
Editor\u2019s note:<\/b><\/i> Season previews for Marquette, Woodland, Seneca, Ottawa and Streator\u2019s boys basketball teams <\/i>appear in separate articles<\/i><\/a>.<\/i>
Coach:<\/b> Brian Yoder (16th season)
Last season:<\/b> 20-13 overall, 6-6 Heart of Illinois
Top returners:<\/b> Logan Ruddy, G, jr.; Connor Reed, G, sr.; Seth Jones, PG, sr.; Mason Rich, G, sr.; Blake Ruddy, F, sr.; Elijah Detwiler, F, sr.
Top newcomers:<\/b> Rudra Patel, G, sr.; Riley Wallace, G, jr.; Darren Howell, G, jr.; Caleb Fromherz, F, sr.
Worth noting:<\/b> The Falcons graduated a solid class last season that included Kesler Collins, a career 1,000-point scorer\/1,000-rebound club member, but return a strong seven-member senior class. Logan Ruddy (9.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg), Reed (8.2 ppg, 3.7 apg), Jones (5.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.7 apg) and Rich (last season\u2019s sixth man) will be asked to lead the way for Flanagan-Cornell<\/a>. \u201cEach player brings something to the table, and they are a close-knit group,\u201d Yoder said. \u201cWe hope to pride ourselves on playing solid defense and taking care of the basketball. We have some streaky shooters that are capable of putting the ball in the hole. Our coaching staff is looking forward to the season and we can\u2019t wait to get started.\u201d
Coach:<\/b> Jeremy Hahn (3rd season)
Last season:<\/b> 33-2 overall, 12-0 Heart of Illinois
Top returners:<\/b> Ed Lorton, G, sr.; Jordan Heider, G, sr.; Jackson Hakes, C, sr.; Isaac Kpa, F, sr.
Top newcomers:<\/b> Kash Klendworth, G, jr.; Braden Hahn, G, jr.; Layten Gerdes, G, jr.; Kayden Eilts, F, jr.; Eli Gerdes, G, jr.; Drew Overocker, G, so.
Worth noting:<\/b> The Knights graduated several key players from last year\u2019s team that set a program record for wins at 33-2 and advanced to a sectional final, but Fieldcrest<\/a> also returns multiple key contributors. \u201cLike nearly all programs, we have lofty goals each season,\u201d Hahn said. \u201cThe players have nearly unanimously said they would like to finish at the top of our conference and go as far as possible in the state tournament.\u201d Lorton (10.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, Times All-Area third teamer) has a shot at 1,000 career points, Heider (5.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.3 apg, 2.2 spg) \u201ccreates so well for others and himself … and will be a center hub of our offense,\u201d and Klendworth is \u201ca very polished shooter\/scorer,\u201d Hahn said. \u201cOffensively, we are working to be an efficient group. With a lot of new faces at the varsity level, we are still working to identify roles and style of play. Spacing and ball movement will be key for us.\u201d He said the Knights are still developing a defensive identity. \u201cWe will work toward being able to apply pressure on the ball and hopefully extend that pressure full court,\u201d Hahn said. \u201cRim protection is also a work in progress and will likely be done by committee. We don\u2019t have a 6-6 guy ready to block a ton of shots, but [we] have some length (6-3 to 6-4) and big bodies who do a good job of maintaining position and rebounding.\u201d
Fieldcrest’s Ed Lorton draws a foul as he maneuvers to the basket under pressure from two Manteno defenders during last season’s Class 2A Clifton Central Sectional semifinal game. <\/span>(Tiffany Blanchette for Shaw Local News Network)
Coach:<\/b> Patrick Torman (4th season)
Last season:<\/b> 8-21 overall, 1-9 Little Ten Conference
Top returners:<\/b> Gunnar Nelson, G\/F, sr.; Geno Schwager, F, sr.; Austin Todd, G\/F, sr.; Joe Clifford, G, sr.; Gunnar Swenson, G\/F, jr.
Top newcomers:<\/b> Hayden Spoonmore, G, so.; Declan Brennan, F, so.; Larson Huss, F, so.; Jonah Mason, G, fr.; Cameron Leifheit, G, fr.; Jackson Torman, G, fr.\u2019 Tyler Hickman, F, fr.
Worth noting:<\/b> The Panthers<\/a> will most likely lean on Nelson (9.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, Times All-Area honorable mention), Schwager (8.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg) and Austin Todd (6.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg) this season. \u201cWe had a lot of success last season winning eight games, up from two wins the season before,\u201d Torman said. \u201cWe look forward to starting the season at the Thanksgiving tournament at Ashton-Franklin Center where we made it to the championship game last year and took home a second-place trophy. We followed that up with a consolation trophy at the LaMoille Christmas Tournament. We have all the tools we need to make this one of the most successful seasons that Leland basketball has seen in a long time.\u201d
Coach:<\/b> Dain Twait (11th season)
Last season:<\/b> 31-4 overall, 10-0 Little Ten Conference
Top returners:<\/b> Beau Raikes, G, sr., Matthew Farrell, F, sr.; Payton Twait G, jr.
Top newcomers:<\/b> Blake Hjerpe, F, sr.; Finn Rosengren, F, jr.; Cash Raikes, G\/F, jr.; Ian Watkins, G, jr.; Wyatt Stone, F, jr.; Ethan Stark, G, so.; Nolan Muffler, F, so.; Carter Meyer, F, so.; Hendrix Johnson, F, so.; Tucker Whiteaker, G\/F, fr.
Worth noting:<\/b> The Huskers<\/a> lost four Times all-area members in Tanner Faivre, Carson Baker, Hunter Staton and Richie Armour to graduation off one of the best teams in program history that fell in the sectional finals. Beau Raikes (5.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.9 assists), the fifth starter last season, returns and will be asked to shift to a leadership role. Dain Twait said Farrell (1.9 ppg, 1.7 rpg) is a very steady player, Hjerpe will be a nice addition in the post and his son, Payton (1.1 ppg, 0.8 rpg), will manage the point-guard spot. \u201cLast season was one of the best in Serena history and we lost four really good players, but I expect this season\u2019s upperclassmen to step up,\u201d Dain Twait said. \u201cWe\u2019ll also have Finn, Hendrix and Tucker in the post, Cash at a guard, and we expect big things from them. We expect to compete for the conference and a regional championship again. We have different pieces and different players but will still get up and down and still play hard-nosed Husker basketball.\u201d
Coach:<\/b> Curt Alsvig (6th season)
Last season:<\/b> 16-16 overall, 5-5 Little Ten Conference
Top returners:<\/b> Brock Sexton, G, sr.; Weston Hannibal, F, sr.; Silas Johnson, F, sr.; Aldo Resendez, F, sr.; Aiden Hopkins, F, sr.; Landin Stillwell, G, jr.
Top newcomers:<\/b> Anthony Reynosa, Jeremiah Rhea, Cole Gudmunson, Nolan Kerley, Alex Hoffman, Jordan Arroyo
Worth noting:<\/b> The Bobcats<\/a> return Sexton (11.6 ppg, 3.5 apg) and Hannibal (7.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg), along with Johnson, Resendez, Hopkins and Stillwell, all of whom Alsvig expects to lead the way. \u201cI fell we will be competitive in every game and will look to push for the top spots in conference play,\u201d Alsvig said. \u201cThis is a great group of young men, and we look forward to starting the season at the inaugural Serena Hardwood Tip-Off Thanksgiving tournament.
Coach:<\/b> Kyle Anderson (3rd season)
Last season:<\/b> 12-20 overall, 6-4 Little Ten Conference
Top returners:<\/b> Dylan Long, sr.; Payton Wills, sr.; Reggie Chapman, jr.; Cody Kulbartz, jr.
Top newcomers:<\/b> Jackson Walker, sr.; Austin Reibel, so.; Jimmy Kath, fr.
Worth noting:<\/b> The Norsemen<\/a> return four of their best players, including three starters, who finished the season strong, going 9-8 in January and February. Anderson believes that Long will be one of the league\u2019s best players. The 6-foot-3 senior averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists last year. Wills, a 6-2 senior, does a little bit of everything for the Norsemen, with 6.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals a game as a junior. Chapman, 5-8, is a quick, physical guard, who can shoot the 3. Kulbartz, a 6-5 junior who averaged 3.6 points and 4.3 rebounds, is a tough matchup inside. They\u2019ll be complemented by a couple of young players who will get varsity time. \u201cWe have solid length and height with Wills, Kulbartz and Long and should be a very solid shooting team as long as we take good shots,\u201d Anderson said. \u201cWill have some moments of growth as some players adapt to new roles and we play a very tough nonconference schedule but hope to build on last year and try and compete at the top of the conference.\u201d
Earlville’s Adam Waite and Hinckley-Big Rock\u2019s Landon Roop go after a rebound during last season’s semifinals of the Little Ten Conference Tournament at Somonauk High School. <\/span>(Mark Busch)
Coach:<\/b> Gerald Fruit (7th season)
Last season:<\/b> 28-5 overall, 9-1 Little Ten Conference
Top returners:<\/b> Adam Waite, F, sr.; Easton Fruit, PG\/F, sr.; Gavin Guelde, G\/F, sr.
Top newcomers:<\/b> Grady Harp, G\/F, sr.; Adin Hensley, G, jr.; Landen Tirevold, G, jr.; Jonathan Anderson, F, jr.; Scott Brandt, G\/F, jr.; Colton Fruit, G, so.; Brock Yarbrough, G\/F, so.; Logan May, F\/C, so.; Hunter Schubbe, G\/F, so.
Worth noting:<\/b> The Red Raiders<\/a> lost three starters and their top two scorers from last year\u2019s team that set a program record for wins but do return a pair of starters in Waite and Easton Fruit. \u201cWe have players coming back with experience, and we have some players up and down the roster who are wanting to have a successful year and are working hard to achieve our goals,\u201d Gerald Fruit said. \u201cI believe we will be competitive this year. I would like to see us have 20-plus wins, finish top three in the Little Ten and do well in tournaments.\u201d Waite (10.5 ppg, 10.0 rpg) is expected to be an offensive leader along with Easton Fruit and Guelde. \u201cI believe we will have a disciplined offense,\u201d Gerald Fruit said. Defensively, he expects to \u201cnot let the other team get anything easy.\u201d \u201cI believe we are a team that will grow as the year goes on. While we have experience, I believe some of the less experienced players will develop and contribute during the season.\u201d
Coach:<\/b> Matt Chalfin (1st season)
Last season:<\/b> 18-13 overall, 10-4 Kishwaukee River Conference
Top returners:<\/b> Dom Rome, F, sr.; Quinn Rome, C, sr.; Simeion Harris, G, sr.; Brady Behringer, F, jr.
Other returners:<\/b> Griffin Somlock, G, jr.; Diego Gomez, G, sr.; Nick Michalek, G, jr.; Noah Campbell, G\/F, sr.; Jyff Baran, G, sr.
Top newcomers:<\/b> EJ Treptow, F, so.; Kai Pon, G, sr.; Nolan Oros, G, jr.
Worth noting:<\/b> Chalfin took over as head coach in September. The 2011 Sandwich graduate who played at his alma mater coached freshman and JV in Plano the past few years and before that coached at the middle school level in Mendota. He takes over a Sandwich<\/a> program that returns four of five starters from a team that finished third in the KRC and looks to compete for a league championship. The Indians bring back a wealth of size, three players 6-foot-5 and over, but need to develop steady guard play after graduating all-conference guard Chance Lange. Dom Rome was an all-conference pick as a junior, averaging 14 points and seven rebounds. Twin brother Quinn Rome averaged 7 points and 5 rebounds, Harris 6 points and 4 rebounds and Behringer 4 points and 4 rebounds. Chalfin calls Harris and Behringer game changers defensively who will both look for more scoring opportunities. \u201cA lot of senior leadership on this team with returning juniors that played good minutes as sophomores last year,\u201d Chalfin said. \u201cLook for Griffin Somlock and Nick Michalek to provide a scoring spark and the Rome twins to be our steady presence in the paint. Great mix of talent looking to compete for a conference championship and regional championship.\u201d
Sandwich at Plano Boys' Bastketball <\/span>Sandwich’s Dom Rome (22) puts up a shot between Plano defenders Isaiah Martinez (23) and Davione Stamps (10) during a game last season at Plano High School. <\/span>(Steven Buyansky for Shaw Local N\/Steven Buyansky for Shaw Local N)
Copyright \u00a9 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright \u00a9 2023 Shaw Local News Network<\/p>\n

source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Serena\u2019s Beau Raikes shoots a 3-point shot during the Class 1A Harvest Christian Academy Sectional semifinal game last season against Harvest Christian Academy in Elgin. (Sandy Bressner)With boys basketball season starting across the state Monday, here is a look at the 2024-25 season for teams across The Times coverage area.Editor\u2019s note: Season previews for Marquette, Woodland, Seneca, Ottawa and Streator\u2019s<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7254","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t