Even though the season has just started, Palatine’s boys’ basketball ball team is looking forward to the end of the season.
“We are building for a strong finish,” Palatine coach Eric Millstone said. “We will be working to be the best basketball team we can be as the year goes on.”
Millstone, who is in his fourth year as head coach of the Pirates returns four starters from a team that was 9-18 a year ago.
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“This group was freshman when I took over the program,” Millstone said. “When I had my preseason talk with our players, I told the seniors that this was my first class going through and we wanted to do well for their sake.”
The Pirates return three senior starters in 6’-4” forward John Millen, 6’-3” forward Tommie Hauert and 6”-1” point guard Austin Marrison. Junior Josh Baldus, who is a 6’-5” center, also returns to give the Pirates a big front line.
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“We have some size upfront,” Millstone said. “And that should help.”
Unfortunately for the Pirates, some of that size will be on the shelf for some time. Millen, who was the team’s leading scorer a year ago averaging 10 points per game, sprained his ankle on Monday in Palatine’s opening-season loss to Lake Zurich. Palatine lost to Deerfield 52-43 Wednesday, Nov. 23, to fall to 0-2.
Marrison also is sidelined for a few more weeks, recovering from a dislocated ankle that he suffered in the offseason.
While they are out, Millstone will turn to seniors Steve Boos to run the point and D’marius Bailey on the front line. Freshman Roosevelt Smart, who has already gained some notoriety as one of the Chicago area’s top players in the Class of 2105 and senior Kyle Chisolm should also see significant playing time.
“Right now we are a little banged up,” Millstone said. “But that should give some guys lots of playing time to solidify their roles.”
Palatine will battle in the rugged Mid Suburban League, where they finished 5th last year with a 3-7 mark. Although Barrington and Schaumburg figure to battle for the title, Millstone feels his squad can be in the mix.
“I think we compare with everyone there,” Millstone said. “If we play hard and do what we need to do, we can be there in the end.”
Besides the MSL schedule, the Pirates will be hosting their own Thanksgiving tournament this week. The Pirates face Waubonsie Valley at home Friday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m.
