Naperville North has all five starters back, and Benet has several players returning from the state championship team, while Neuqua Valley has a major Division I prospect.
BENET
The defending Class 4A state champion Redwings (33-5) welcome back senior guard Jayden Wright (Eastern Illinois), senior center Colin Stack (North Dakota State) and junior forward Edvardas Stasys.
Senior guards Aidan Renicker (Rhodes), Ryan Walsh, Grant Bergmann and Ethan MacDermot, a move-in from Australia, and junior guards Perry Tchienge, Tyler Cibulka and Blair Fagbemi will vie for opportunities to play significant roles in Benet’s bid to repeat.
METEA VALLEY
Senior guard Tre Watkins (Illinois-Springfield), who averaged 17 points last season, is the only starter back for the Mustangs (20-13). Coach Isaiah Davis likes the team’s depth, especially at guard, but chemistry is a work in progress since most of the players have not competed together.
Junior guards Manny Miller, Marcus Brewell and Collin Booker and sophomore forward Sincere Williams are top newcomers.
NAPERVILLE CENTRAL
The Redhawks (8-21) return four starters, including senior point guard TJ Hillman, a third-year varsity player of whom a big season is expected. Also back are senior forwards Nate Abrahamson and Casey Cooperkawa and senior guard Cooper Page.
Coach Mike Wilson said the team lacks the talent of most other DuPage Valley Conference teams but will make up for it with attention to detail and a fast-paced style.
NAPERVILLE NORTH
The Huskies (17-15) are the only area team to return all five starters. Four are seniors: guards Max Steele, Carson Loughlin and Miles Okyne and forward Will Harvey. The other is junior guard Jack Zitko. Together, they provide balanced shooting and scoring, but defense and rebounding will be crucial.
Senior guards Antonio Brown Jr. and Jack Victor, senior forward Jake Ryan, and junior forwards Reid Montanari and Nolan Scarbrough add depth.
NEUQUA VALLEY
What will 6-foot-7 sophomore forward Cole Kelly, who has offers from DePaul and Illinois, do for an encore after averaging 18.6 points and 9.6 rebounds? Will the Wildcats (20-13) improve along with him?
Senior forward Andrew Hoffmann is healthy after shoulder surgery, and 6-5 junior guard Mason Martin has starting experience and a Division I offer. Veteran coach Todd Sutton said defense and rebounding will be the keys to winning and are also their biggest concern.
WAUBONSIE VALLEY
There will be a lot of new faces on the floor for the Warriors (31-3), who lost six of their top seven players to graduation after winning the DVC title and reaching the sectional semifinals. Kris Mporokoso, a 6-4 junior swingman who was an all-conference honorable mention, is the lone returning starter.
But 6-6 sophomore forward Kyler Payne has great potential, and senior guards Aidan Lee, Tate Bartzen and TJ Horton are capable shooters.
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.