Scouting West Aurora Blackhawks

West Aurora Blackhawks

Coach Gordie Kerkman

Last year 20-8, 11-3, second in the DuPage Valley Conference.

Postseason Lost 71-60 to Naperville Central in Class 4A Naperville Central regional championship game

Key losses Jamal Blackmond, Markus Cocroft, Bryson Hughes.

Top returnees Juwan Starks (6-3, so., F); Tyronne Carey (6-2, sr., F); Kyle Pilmer (6-7, jr., C); D.J. Vaughn (5-10, sr., G).

Newcomers to watch David Gray (5-90, sr., G); Chris Hickson (6-3, sr., C); Derrick Johnson (6-4, sr., F); Mike Neil (6-2, sr., F); Richard Preston (5-9, sr., G);

Outlook Headed by Starks, who as a freshman led West Aurora in rebounds with 5.4 a game to go with 10.5 points, second only to Cocroft, the Blackhawks could be a very good team. They can go 10-11 deep, offer big (Pilmer, Hickson) or quick (Starks, Johnson, Carey) lineups, like to defend (Neil) and can shoot (Starks, again). The aggressive senior who Kerkman calls a "miniature Kenny Battle" could tie it all together. "Maybe with the addition of Richard Preston at the point, he'll be the answer," said the Hall of Fame coach, concerned with consistency and decision-making. Choosing the proper balance of solid ball movement and offensive freelancing - and hitting the boards - will help decide whether West Aurora will compete with Glenbard East and Wheaton Warrenville South South in the DVC. The sheer number of athletes, let alone coaching, history and ingrained defense, nearly insures the Blackhawks will be there and could surprise late. "I'm very unsure how we're going to respond once we get into ballgames," Kerkman said. "I think if we get some of our problems ironed out we'll play pretty good. If we don't, it'll be pretty hard for us to play."