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Coach: Jeff Perales (Fourth year)
What happened last year: The Red Ramblers finished the season 14-8 overall, were 5-1 in the Illinois Tollway Conference and lost to Genoa-Kingston 63-47 in the opening round of the IHSA Class A tournament.
Key losses to graduation: Paul Rendell, Guard.
Key Returning Athletes: Stephen Pinto, Senior, Forward; Mike Tovar, Junior, Center; Chris Morones, Junior, Guard; Floyd Mays, Junior, Guard; Anthony Westbrook, Senior, Center; Robert Picker, Senior, Guard.
Key Newcomers: Gabe Kendor, Sophomore, Guard; Ethan Grasty, Sophomore, Guard; Sam Rind, Junior, Guard; Kenny Arceri, Junior, Guard.
 It's not that last year's Mooseheart boys basketball team had a poor season. The Red Ramblers were 14-8 and only lost once in the Illinois Tollway Conference.
But the team expects bigger things this year, and that means Mooseheart coach Jeff Perales is in a very positive mood as preseason practices take shape.
``We're very excited about this year,`` Perales said. ``We have
four returning starters this year. Last year, we had only one senior
that graduated from the program.``
Mooseheart had three starting sophomores last year - Mike Tovar, Chris Morones and Floyd Mays. All return as juniors with a full season of varsity starting experience.
``Fourteen wins was pretty successful for what we dealt with last
year,`` Perales said. ``We were a really young team.``
Those players being a year older is just one facet of the bedrock on which Perales bases his optimism for the 2006-07 season. Add to that a pair of solid seniors playing inside: Steven Pinto and Anthony Westbrook and the Red Ramblers can be justified in their optimism.
``We're bigger, we're stronger and I think we're smarter,`` Perales said. ``I think we're going to be able to run the ball at times and pound it down inside to (Pinto) and Anthony Westbrook inside. When we did that last year, teams had trouble with our speed and our size.
Tovar is one of the key players in the area. Not only is he 6-3, but he has solid athletic ability.
``People are going to be excited when they get to see Mike Tovar this
year,`` Perales said. ``He's very athletic. He's up around the
rim all the time. He'll be a difference maker for our time and
something exciting for our fans to see him play.``
If there is a worry, it is that the Red Ramblers do not have many consistent long-range shooting threats. That means the three-point shot will rarely be a weapon of choice for the squad.
``I'm not really concerned by that,`` Perales said. ``If we can
run the ball effectively, work it down low and work the clock - and
then do things defensively with our man-to-man and some presses, I
think we'll be in good shape.``
Although Mays is a junior, Perales remembers watching him play as an elementary school student.
``He's really worked at his game,`` Perales said. ``He just gets
better and better. Last year, it seemed like he progressed every game
we played. I can already tell this year that he's taller and
faster. We're excited to see what he does in our first game.``
Tovar is one of only two players on the basketball roster who did not
play on the Red Ramblers football team. That football team went 6-4
and qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 1997. Perales,
who is an assistant football coach, said the football experience
should help his basketball Ramblers.
``With me coaching football, I was able to continue to build my
relationship with the players there,`` Perales said. ``And they're
that little bit bigger and stronger than they were a year ago. It's nice to see that growth.``
There are some drawbacks, but Perales said they are far outweighed by the positives.
``We've got to get them back into basketball shape,`` Perales
said. ``That's just a matter of time. Those boys worked together
in football and I know that will continue on the basketball court.``
Mooseheart opens its season at the annual Somonauk Thanksgiving tournament. The tournament ensures the Red Ramblers four games in the opening week of the season.
``The focus is to go into the tournament, play well and then worry about the rest of the games after that,`` Perales said.
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