Larkin loses top player, key transfer; South Elgin optimistic

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Larkin's boys basketball program endured one of its most trying seasons in school history last winter.

The Royals, under first-year coach Larry Hight, posted a 1-25 record and concluded the campaign by losing their final 12 games.

And now, after Monday's first official practice, the Royals have suffered two setbacks with the season-opening game 13 days away.

Larkin's most talented player, senior Deonte McFadden, has reportedly been expelled from school after a verbal altercation with a teacher.

The Royals were also banking on a transfer student from Australia who figured to contribute significantly. Finding that he would not be eligible to play this season, the Australian has reportedly returned to his homeland.

So much for that preseason optimism that most programs exude, huh?

Hight took over on the Larkin bench when Joe Kain abruptly resigned in the summer of 2007. It was a rough ride for the Royals longtime and successful softball coach.

Now, Larkin has less than two weeks to adjust to life without McFadden.

Things are better at South Elgin where coach Chaz Taft figures to be turning the corner with a Storm program entering its third varsity season.

Six-foot-9, 275-pound senior center Dani Lopez, who has accepted a Division I scholarship to Sacramento State University, is one of the top players in the area and the Storm will rely on their big man this season.

Word is, senior Josh Smith is going to return to the hardwood after missing last season following a knee injury suffered during the football campaign. That only adds to the Storm's athleticism.

Elgin High lost plenty from last season's team that advanced to the Elite Eight in Class 4A. And second-year coach Mike Sitter is playing with an even lesser hand while senior forward Marcus Redburg recovers from offseason knee surgery.

Bartlett figures to be a player in the Upstate Eight Conference again this season with junior guard/forward Luke Labedzki returning. One of the most solid players in the area, Labedzki helped the Hawks to a 22-8 mark, the program's second regional title and a school record for victories in a season.

Coach Jim Wolfsmith is back without the interim tag for Bartlett.

While senior guard Tem Esikiel is well known, Streamwood could surprise this season with an athletic cast of players under second-year coach Tim Jones.

The Sabres should have a better handle on what their coach, a former Elgin High star, expects in Year 2.

St. Charles North returns a lot from a regional title game appearance. But the health of senior Jon DeMoss is a concern.

The experienced talent injured his left (non-shooting) elbow during football and originally feared he might need surgery. But he returned to the gridiron and expects to be a factor on the hardwood.

St. Charles East is without All-Area performer Collin Pryor, who graduated. But the Saints always seem to find playmakers.

St. Edward could be a factor in the Suburban Catholic Conference with seniors Riley Coleman, Josh Dix and Steve Martin all back for their third varsity seasons.

Dundee-Crown will rely on third-year varsity guard Jeff Beck and senior center Charles Kimbrough could provide scoring and shot blocking inside.

Jacobs will see how life after John Moran is following the graduation of the school's all-time leading scorer and two-time Courier News Player of the Year. Having senior Conrad Krutwig back lessens the blow. Krutwig has committed to South Dakota.

Huntley coach Marty Manning might get off to a slow start since the football team's season just ended, but the Red Raiders should be competitive in the Fox Valley Conference's Fox Division.

Hampshire, while competing in Class 3A this season, could be on the rise. The Whip-Purs played a lot of youngsters last season who only figure to get better under coach Bob Barnett.

The Whips could also benefit from that restructuring of their attendance zone that the Illinois High School Association cited in bumping them up a class.

Burlington Central lost the area's leading scorer, Mike McCurdy, to graduation. So the Rockets need to find points in a hurry.

Genoa-Kingston is looking to rebound from an upset loss in their season finale. The Cogs won 21 games, but bowed out in a regional final last winter.

Westminster Christian is coming off its first-ever regional title, but will have to compensate for the graduation of Joel Benson -- the only player in the area to average double figures in scoring and rebounding last season.

Elgin Academy endured a 2-22 season and struggled to score. The Hilltoppers are hoping to put that season behind them.