MEN'S BASKETBALL: New-look Apaches ready for Riley's third season
By Kyle Nevins
Men’s basketball coach Mike Riley begins his third season as Apache head coach with 14 out of 15 new faces to the program.
Todd Heldt is the only returning player from last season’s 12-and-19 team.
"Todd has been a good leader for us on and off the court," Riley said of his only veteran. "He has gotten a lot stronger and shown a lot of improvement from last season."
The coach feels the team has a chance at a winning season, despite the lack of college experience.
"Right now the kids are adjusting to the college game," Riley said. "At this level the players have a lot more quickness and are a lot more physical."
It’s too early to tell who will start, but Riley has a lot of options.
Terrel Robinson, with a year of college basketball experience behind him at Wabash Valley, is expected to put a lot of pressure on himself.
Riley called Matt Pusch and Sam Beyer "good freshman prospects with a lot of potential".
Jeremy Fuchs is coming into the program from Fieldcrest High School.
Nate Hill’s mark is leadership and what coach Riley calls hard-nosed play.
Jeremy Woodward is entering the program from Pontiac and displays potential, despite streaky shooting.
Joseph Edwards is a strong post player with rebounding skills from Homewood-Flossmoor’s tough high school conference. Jayson Tucker is a talented ball handler and shooter and is quick, said the coach.
At 6-foot-8, former St. Bede Bruin Tom Urbanski is threat under the basket.
Hall High School standout Jared Haskell has experience as a forward.
Jason Burkiewicz, also a Hall graduate, made the team as a walk-on. He has shooting range and basketball knowledge that poses a threat while he’s got the ball.
Riley said it is too early to tell how his team will do in the Arrowhead Conference.
"The first two months of the season will give me a good chance to evaluate and figure out a lineup for the conference season," he said.
According to the Apache coach, the top teams in the conference should be Highland, Kishwaukee, Sauk Valley and Black Hawk East.
The Apache season opener is Nov. 4 against Lincoln Trail at the Danville Classic.
"Lincoln is a D1 school who is athletic and big," Riley said.
On Nov. 5 the Apaches take on Ancilla, Ind., also at Danville, before hosting Oakton in the home opener on Nov. 11.