CRETE-MONEE
Players to watch: Jeremy Horvath, Sr.; Kevin Zych, Jr.; Anderson Banks, Sr.; Avery Johnson, Sr.
Outlook: The Warriors lost just two seniors to graduation from last year's team that finished 8-6 and won the Southland Athletic Conference. Coach Joe Horvath has a strong senior class led by Avery Banks and Jeremy Horvath, his son, who's back at No. 1 singles.
Quote: "I've got a pretty strong team with 10 seniors this year, and I'm looking forward to the season. Our freshmen and sophomores have shown up, and we've got 21 kids out for the team." ~! Joe Horvath.
HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR
Players to watch: Bud Holt, Sr.; Jeremy Miller, So.; Adam Griesbach, Sr.; Jimmy Rute, Sr.; Jason Rosche, Sr.
Outlook: The Vikings reload with a deep team, including Holt, a three-time state qualifier who coach Michael Sacks said is one of the top 30 players in the state. After Holt and Miller, there's a lot competition for the remaining varsity spots.
Quote: "We lost three of our top four doubles players, but we should be good. Depending on how the top doubles can compete in the big meets and at state, whether we just send a couple guys to state or the whole team." ~! Sacks
ILLIANA CHRISTIAN
Players to watch: Adam Bergsma, Sr.; Darren Ruiter, Sr.; Patrick Hammer, Sr.; Josiah Griffin, Sr.; Ryan Vandersteen, Sr.
Outlook: The Vikings will shoot to get above .500 playing in the Metro Suburban Conference, and coach Rob Lagerway returns five seniors, five juniors and two sophomores to the team. It's a competitive group with a lot of depth.
Quote: "There's not a great drop off after No. 1 singles and No. 1 and 2 doubles. We're pretty deep that way." ~! Lagerway.
MARIAN CATHOLIC
Players to watch: Julian Childers, Sr.; Mitch Zavesky, Sr.; Josh Pinkus, Sr.; Kyle Scheffers, So.
Outlook: The Spartans had one of the best seasons in school history, finishing 18-2 and winning the East Suburban Catholic Conference and H-F Sectional titles. Childers finished 9th in the state while Zavesky and Scheffers were 25th in doubles, and the team placed 12th. Coach Scott Bodnar is looking forward to another strong finish.
Quote: "It's a good group of kids. They're very talented and are hard working. It's a pleasure coaching them." ~! Bodnar
THORNTON FRACTIONAL
Players to watch: Gerardo Gomez, Jr.; Dennis Minefee, Jr.; Ramino Urbina, Jr.; Chris Mireles, Jr.
Outlook: Coach Clinton Scott welcomes back four players led by Gomez, who has a chance to compete for the conference championship and qualify for state. Minefee will hold his own at No. 2 singles, while Urbina and Mireles will play doubles with different partners. The rest of the spots will be filled by inexperienced role players.
Quote: "My expectations is to go as far as we can in the state tournament and have a state qualifier." ~! Scott
THORNTON TOWNSHIP
Players to watch: Adrian Perez, Jr.; Antonio Sandoval, Jr.; Jujuan Page, Jr.; Angel Santana, Jr.
Outlook: The Wildcats will build around the four returning juniors and a talented sophomore class. Coach Tom Walsh also has some seniors who came out for the first time to add depth but lack experience.
Quote: "We have some numbers that we didn't have last year in the lower grades so that's a good start." ~! Walsh
NOTE: Mount Carmel and Washington did not supply information for the preview.
~! Compiled by Christopher Breach
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