By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the top 75 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage:

Team: Stevenson
Preseason Rank: 48
2013 Record: 21-12
Conference: North Suburban Lake
IHSA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Paul Mazzuca
Playoff Run: Lost in Sectional Final (Libertyville)
2013 Final Rank: Not Ranked

Returning Starters:
Returning Pitchers:

TOP PLAYERS
Willie Bourbon, 3B, 2015
Austin Black, OF, 2014 (Harvard)
Mitchell Goll, LHP/1B, 2014
Jimmy Marchese, INF, 2015
Eli Greenspon, INF, 2014
Joey Morris, C, 2014
Sean Wilson, INF, 2014

X-FACTOR
Willie Bourbon. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound left-handed hitting 3B is one of the top junior prospects in the state. Bourbon was an impact performer as a sophomore last season, and he’s a proven winner in the athletic arena. Bourbon led Stevenson’s football team to the 8A state semifinals as the team’s quarterback.

KEY PLAYER LOST
Matt Allen, RHP (Iowa)

OUTLOOK
With Stevenson’s school population, the Patriots will always be good. They have been one of the most consistent programs over the last 10 years. While this year’s edition isn’t the most talented teams the program has had, the Patriots should again be tough to beat. Junior Willie Bourbon returns to anchor the offense, along with Austin Black and Mitchell Goll. Goll, a left-hander, will also be counted on to deliver on the mound. Pitching depth, which has been a strong-suit of Stevenson over the years, is a question this spring.

BOTTOM LINE
Stevenson will always be competitive in the North Suburban Lake, but this year, it will have a tall task to overtake Stevenson and Mundelein in league.

Note: Coach did not respond to preseason questionnaire, so some players may or may not be omitted from preview.

 

Season Countdown

+ Preseason Team Rankings

+ Updated Illinois 2014 Player Rankings

+ June Event Schedule

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