1. Eisenhower Eagles

2007-08: 13-11 (6-6 Red) Lost to Detroit Finney in Regional Semi-Final

Head Coach: Brandon Lemley (9^th Season)

Location: Shelby Township, Mi

Enrollment: 2783

Key Players Lost: Dragan Bijelic, Ryan Tomayko, Jeff Roegner

    Last season was an up and down one for Eisenhower that featured a remarkable MAC Red season with 11 wins and one loss despite a rash of injuries to key players and a league wide slow it to a snails pace strategy put in place gainst them. The result was their first ever MAC Red title under highly successful coach Brandon Lemley. However a lot of the warm feelings were put on ice when rival Utica Ford, coming off a difficult 1-11 MAC red campaign shocked the Eagles in the MHSAA playoff opener.

   This season Eisenhower returns one of the undisputed top two frontlines in the County and Conference with three year players Corey Petros and Joe Wirth and explosive senior swingman Dylan Valko. Petros is the reigning coaches pick for MAC Red MVP. The 6’10” 245 pound senior has decided to play his college ball at Oakland; between his sophomore and junior seasons he added multiple post moves, an outside jump shot and mostly importantly confidence in himself and his size. Now that confidence has manifested into a mean streak that should allow him and the Eagles to soar to new heights. Joining him up front, and returning to the starting line-up, Wirth got better and better with each game last year becoming a legit double-double threat by seasons end. He provides toughness and grit that are essential for any winning team. He’ll play football at Central Michigan next fall. Valko was probably the Eagles most aesthetically impressive player this summer; the explosive 6’3” senior has the athleticism to dunk off a vertical leap without a step and the range to extend beyond the three-point line comfortably; injured to start the season, when he returns he’ll be looked upon to pick up slack for Tomayko, one of the leagues most clutch players last season.

   In the backcourt a trio of seniors with different strengths will be heavily relied on to help Eisenhower reach it’s potential this season. The most experienced of the bunch is the athletic guard\wing defensive standout Tony Zerafa who got some valuable experience as a starter last year when injuries hit the Eagles. He can hit the open shoot and is a tremendous leader on the court (a football QB). Fellow senior Andrew Henk also saw some quality minutes on occasion last year, even registering 14 points vs. Stevenson. He is a heady point guard who replace Roegner as the team’s senior floor general. Providing three point shooting is a third senior, Ryan Lemcke who saw limited minutes as a junior, but is expected to excel in his role this year. A fourth senior, Lucas Thomas gives the Eagles another talented player in transition and running the break.

   Additionally off the bench Eisenhower may look from contributions from senior Jake Sauber, an athletic 6’0” combo guard, junior forward Brandon Bartneck who was a standout on the jayvee lasts season and whom the program has high hopes for and freshman Joey Zerafa who while very young and with much to learn has an outstanding feel for the game and should eventually thrive. All in all it figures to be your typical tough nosed Eisenhower team who will defend any and every one and should compete again for the MAC Red title.

3. L’Anse Creuse Lancers

2007-08: 13-8 (9-3 Red) Lost to Utica in opening round.

Head Coach: John Haas (9^th Season)

Location: Harrison Township, Mi

Enrollment: 1695

Key Losses: Nick Carreri, Martell Betts

Overview: For the third straight season the Lancers will have a clear cut go-to-guy. Willie Cruz, the MAC’s top returning scorer is a bonafide star now two years into his varsity career; his numbers were way up across the board last year and so were the team’s wins. This year he will be without his running mate the past two seasons Nick Carreri who has moved on to GVSU and a collegiate career. Only four seniors we’re lost to graduation, but the loss of point guard Martell Betts and Carreri’s 22 points per game will change everyone’s role. On the positive the experienced gained for the players returning to the roster and the talent added from the jayvee will make this year’s squad a deeper and more balanced one behind Cruz.

    Willie Cruz developed into one of the premier players in the conference last season asserting himself of the glass and as a leader in addition to his 20 points per game. Cruz was at his best in the big moments also; he had 29 and 14 rebounds in a late season upset of Romeo. His combination of physical strength, quickness, athleticism and all around game give him the capability of dominating the way Blake Cushingberry did last season. Also returning to the starting line-up are two other seniors. Jimmy McKee (3.5ppg) providing defense, rebounding and the occasional scoring at the forward position and Ryan Kennedy was a standout defender and the hardest worker on the floor. The toughness of seniors Mckee and Kennedy is what the Lancers want to be all about. They’ll need to find some size to put in the middle and a point guard to control the tempo to round out their starting five. 

      In addition to the three starters returning two major reserves return who each could provide scoring for the Lancers this season. Senior Alonzo Chambry (3ppg) is a confident perimeter scorer with solid range he could crack the starting line-up as that point guard the Lancers need. As could junior Herman Washington, now in his second varsity season he’ll look to be more assertive on both ends. This figures to be a deeper team then L'Anse Creuse has had recently. Juniors Nick Kuczynski and Ervin Mealy could see time in the frontcourt and Jerome Doggett and Doug Caroll add depth to the backcourt; Dogget is another point guard candidate. Finally two sophomores Dejaun Henderson and Giovanni Gordan will be brought along slowly and hopefully will be ready to play a role in league competition.     

Crucial Question: Is there enough new talent coming in to round out the roster and compliment Cruz?

Outlook: The Lancers might have the most dangerous player in the league in Willie Cruz.  He’s the best the Red division has going into the season. It really comes down to the supporting cast and him meshing, if they do they’ll be in the top three and will win it if their talented enough.

4. Dakota Cougars

2007-08: 3-18 (1-11 Red) Lost to L’Anse Creuse North in Opening Round

Head Coach: Bill Snyder (18^th Season, 5^th at Dakota)

Location: Macomb, Mi

Enrollment: 2432

Key Losses: Kyle DeMaster, Rodney Hush, Mike Kwaitowski

Overview: The Cougars just were never able to get on track last season and the effects of two state titles in football and a long playoff run in basketball the year before took their toll on the trio of seniors that led the Cougars last season. This year’s team is a more basketball focused group in a lot of ways and features a nice mix of size and guard play. The game time experience gained last year will be invaluable as league play begins in early 2009. Finally Dakota gets its full compliment of players from the start of tryouts. A second half comeback against Stevenson in second round of the state football playoffs fell short and the Cougars hit the hardwood a week later. Now a program back in the MAC red going on its third season is still looking for its first MAC red title, can this bunch get the job done?    The Cougars top two returning scorers are both juniors. Forward Evan Walker (8.8ppg) was the team’s second leading scorer in his first varsity campaign reaching double figure in nine games overall. His combination of skill, size and athleticism make him a versatile threat on both ends of the court. The other junior, guard Ryan Spicuzzi is an excellent shooter and a potential big time scorer; he exploded late in the season averaging 13.5 a game in the final eight contests including three games of at least 18 points. Both were starters from day one last year are a big reason why the outlook for the cougars is an optimistic one in ’08-09. The remainder of the team’s junior are newcomers up from the jayvee or new to the program. This team’s strength outside of their class of ‘10 duo will be their senior class, just more reason to like this team.

      The senior class returns a nice mix of players and provides a boost in an area of need. Three other major contributors from a year ago return for their final season at Dakota. Tony D’Olivio (4ppg) could be the teams X-factor; he’ll likely take over at the point guard and can provide scoring and playmaking for the Cougars and provides more ideal size then departed two year starter Rodney Hush. Forward Glen McIntosh (2ppg) is an excellent athlete who struggled to play under control last season as he adjusted to the varsity pace. Now with that experience under his belt and the chance for more playing time he could blossom into an ideal role player for the Cougars. Nigel Adams provides additional size at 6’3” and experience to boot. Adams (2.5ppg) played big minutes early in the season last year and will compete for a starting spot this season. Finally 6’7” senior Matt Mullins gives the Cougars legit size to compete with Saliga, Petros, Schienke and the MAC’s other top big men. He is new to the fold this year having not played basketball the past two seasons. There is a player for every position, most with experience that usually translates to a successful season.

Crucial Question: Will this group round into shape quickly enough to compete for the MAC red title?

Outlook: An early stumble or two can knock you out of the race in the Red on any given year, this team has had ample practice time and seems to have the right pieces to put into place and become a real terror for foes and a contender for the schools first MAC red hoops title.  

Key Players (* returning letterman)

*Evan Walker (6’5”, Junior, Forward)

*Ryan Spicuzzi (5’11”, Junior, Guard)

5. Chippewa Valley Big Reds

2007-08: 16-5 (9-3 Red) Lost to Port Huron Northern in Opening Round

Head Coach: Kevin Voss (28^th Season)

Location: Clinton Township, Mi

Enrollment: 2131

Key Players Lost: Chris Lemm, Rick Doran, Tyler Alwardt, Jeff Tobolski, Steve Mann

Overview: In a season in which there is already a large turnover of players within the MAC Red no team literally losses more then Chippewa Valley.  Nine seniors who considerable game action graduated in ’08 including their leading scorer the past three years Chris Lemm and fellow all-league and all-county player Rick Doran. The Big Reds brought a few sophomores up last season to prepare them for their greatly expanded roles this season and have a nice core of senior guards who might surprise people this season expecting a Big Red drop off like the one they had in ’05-06.

    Alex Dzierbicki was the top underclassmen scorer in 2007-08 for Chippewa Valley, third on the team at six points a game, he will not play for the Big Reds this season. Senior guard Sky Jax was a very capable back-up at the point last season and showed range on his jump shot and a fairly quick step off the dribble. Jacob Geatches, also a senior guard should stretch the defense as well with his ability to hit from down town. Senior Earl Harris is a speedy guard who may also figure into the mix. Chippewa Valley has always relied heavily on it’s seniors but with just four returning to the mix they will look to experience wherever they can get it and juniors Christian Fincher and Kevin Nikkel provide some entering their second year of Varsity competition. They also provide size at 6’7” and 6’4” respectively. Fincher started early in the season but only to fit him into the rotation likely as his minutes were as expected limited while he learned the system and the way to play within it. Nikkel is a more physical and athletic side kick who should do a lot of the dirty work inside for Chippewa Valley.

      Against their traditional nature, the Big Reds will have to rely heavily on the incoming players from last year’s jayvee team which was a typically strong and competitive group for Chippewa Valley. It seems likely that this team could be a slow starter, having lost so many experienced players but the freshman and jayvee teams have been consistently good in the past three years and while the talent may be unproven going into the season, it is there and when they put the pieces together this team will be better then a lot of people think. 

Crucial Question: Are the good enough to be a serious contender in the Red?

Outlook: That’s always the question at Chippewa Valley; they have more MAC red titles than any other school and while this year’s team doesn’t look like a typical Big Reds squad it’d be foolish to count them out.

6. L’Anse Creuse North Crusaders

2007-08: 17-7 (10-2 White) Lost to De La Salle in Regional Semi-final

Head Coach: Jay Seletsky (7^th season)

Location: Macomb, Mi          

Enrollment: 1882

Key Losses: Erik Thompson, Mike Nieman, Tracy Jackson, Jacob Czarnecki

Overview: There is no way to replace a senior class like the one that just left L’Anse Creuse North. To lose a four year starter at point guard in Thompson, his two year all-league backcourt running mate Mike Nieman and your starting forwards the last two years Tracy Jackson and Jacob Czarnecki in enough a burden to bear. In addition to the loss of four of senior contributors from a year ago the Crusaders will face their toughest schedule yet in their first season in the MAC red. This season’s goals are different, first and foremost they need an identity, learn to compete and you’ll learn to win, that will be the message for this young and hungry bunch.

     With just two seniors returning to the mix the Crusaders will need leadership by example from forward Josh Brogan and guard Seth Martin. Brogan had a strong junior season starting or playing a key role off the bench in the frontcourt. Averaging nearly 7 points and 5 rebounds per game in a complementary capacity he could should see an expanded role this year. His ability to be a threat at the high post should figure in the Crusaders offensive attack. Seth Martin, who saw limited minutes last season on a roster loaded with skilled senior guards, will be expected to set the tone defensively for the Crusaders. This inexperienced group will need to win with their defense initially until their offensive chemistry can develop. Martin’s competitiveness should set the tone. 

     The underclassmen will be depended on heavily this season, perhaps none more so then the teams most experienced player. Third year pivot Jesse Schienke (5 ppg) has continued to improve and now could be among the MAC’s top post players. With improved strength and agility and a focus on expanding his offense the 6’6” 240 pound center offers a lot to like and has always provided defense and rebounding on the interior.  On the opposite end of the spectrum 5’4” sophomore Calvin Curry (2 ppg) is ready to assume the reigns as point guard for the Crusaders. An exceptional ball handler with the ability to score when called upon, Curry gained confidence and valuable experience behind Thompson after being called up while Erik was injured early last year. While normally it’s the role of seniors, Curry has the skills and qualities of an excellent and could begin growing into that role as soon as this season. Joining these four returning players is leading jayvee scorer Mike Osterman who could see big minutes on the wing this season.  This team will be one that is carried by its defense. If the Crusaders can keep every game close they’ll win more then they lose, it’s about overcoming the small set backs and avoiding the big ones.

Crucial Question: How will this inexperienced group handle the grind of the MAC red schedule?

Outlook: North has carved an identity out of getting everything they have out of themselves the past five or so seasons. Two league titles later this is just another challenge to embrace and eventually conquer if all the players follow the example set.

7. Ford II Falcons

2007-08: 16-5 (10-2 White) Lost to Eisenhower in Opening Round

Head Coach: Mark Bray (6^th Season)

Location: Sterling Heights, Mi

Enrollment: 2005

Key Losses: Kyle Hunt, Nate King, Nick King

Overview: The Falcons loss a ton in the outstanding three year duo of Nate King and Kyle Hunt. They also lose their only size in 6’7” Nick King. Coupled with the lack of size being added from the jayvee, the Falcons will be forced to play a hyper aggressive fast paced defensive style to take advantage of their only physical advantage. The good news is they have the personnel to do it. Quickness and intensity abound, the Falcons will come at opponents in waves. Also they have the mindset to do it. Hard Work will be this teams M.O. They will focus there energy on defense and rebounding and have careful, patient offensive possessions, limiting turnovers and rushed shots. Two returning starters, including a senior point guard and a few more experienced reserves are the core of one of the most intriguing teams in the conference this season.

       Senior Kasey Grishaj was one of only two players to start at point guard for the Falcons the past five seasons. He averaged six and half points a game for the Falcons, third on the team while primarily serving as the set-up man for now departed seniors Nate King and Kyle Hunt. Grishaj is primarily a playmaker and floor general, but can score when needed and will likely be asked to more this season. Steve Brown (5.5ppg) is undersized for the four position but was able to hold his own as a junior. His ability to defend and rebound against taller opponents will be key in the Falcons defensive scheme. Senior guard Anthony Griffith (3.4ppg), at 6’2”, is another returnee and stretch defensives with his perimeter shooting. Rounding out the returning letterman senior Chad Pace (3.5ppg) and junior Evan Crank provide depth at the forward and point guard positions.

      With the glaring lack of returning size, sophomore Aaron Cox will be called upon to play the pivot early on this season. At 6’4” 230 pounds with good athleticism and a raw but strong post game he has a chance to grow greatly as a player as the season goes on. Two juniors; Alan Ciochetto and Norman Scott are the only other posts on this season’s roster.  A few other newcomers should play major roles as well. Ramon Johnson is an ultra athletic wing with big time scoring potential. He could become their go-to-guy on for a big shot on offense. A pair of seniors new to the varsity, Ryan Posavetz and Carl Kaspari figure to play major roles off the bench. Posavetz is probably the team’s best defender and he and Kaspari should really increase the ball pressure and intensity of the Falcon defense. The depth and speed of the Falcons will take them as far as they can go; the challenges will be many, but they will be prepared.

Crucial Question: Is the loss of Kyle Hunt and Nate King too much for the Falcons to overcome this season?

Outlook: It won’t be the same type of team and they probably shouldn’t contend in the MAC red yet; still it’s not hard to imagine this team being competitive every night in the Red and if they give them self a chance to win consistently eventually they’ll starting winning more often then not. One thing seems certain if you beat the Falcons this year you’re going to have to earn it.