Outlook: Hersey has won 40 of its last 50 division games and returns Michael White and Chris Nowinski. The Huskies will be pursued by improved Fremd, Wheeling and Palatine.
Top players: Hersey F-G White, 6-2, sr., C Nowinski, 6-6, sr.; Fremd F Paul Tharp, 6-4, sr., G John Benedetti, 5-11, sr.; Palatine G Jerod Sherman, 6-0, sr., F Keith Peterson, 6-3, jr.; Wheeling C Jared McCall, 6-5, sr.; Barrington G Pat Mohr, 6-3, jr.; Buffalo Grove G Jason Siok, 6-1, sr.
Quotable: Hersey coach Don Rowley, whose team reached the Class AA quarterfinals last year: “Our returnees know what it takes and those who didn’t play but were with us do, too. The problem is, the league is better this year than it was last year.”
Key games: Hersey at Wheeling, Feb. 2; Hersey at Palatine, Feb. 9.
Defending champion: Hersey
Predicted finish: Hersey, Palatine, Wheeling, Fremd, Buffalo Grove, Barrington
