With all the pressure already sitting on his very talented but inexperienced team's shoulders, it was a bit surprising to hear Young coach Tyrone Slaughter's slogan for the season.
''Our motto this year is 'Duplicate '98,' '' Slaughter said.
Young is the Sun-Times' preseason No. 1, featuring Michael Jordan's youngest son, Marcus, who will bring a gaggle of media attention all on his own.
On paper, the current Dolphins seem a long way removed from the uber-talented and battle-tested 1998 state and city championship team.
The '98 squad enjoys legendary status. Led by Quentin Richardson, Dennis Gates and Cordell Henry, the Dolphins finished 30-1, won back-to-back city titles, a state title and were ranked as high as No. 2 by USA Today. Only a loss to nationally ranked Lexington (Ky.) Catholic kept Young from winning the national title.
''There are a lot of little similarities between the two teams,'' Slaughter said. ''We both have seven seniors, they were the last team at Young to wear Jordan's, which we wear. They played in Kentucky, and we are going to play in Kentucky.''
Slaughter was also quick to point out a little stumbling block in his duplication theory.
''But they also had Quentin Richardson, so that kind of messes the whole thing up,'' Slaughter said.
The 1998 Dolphins were No. 1 wire-to-wire in the Sun-Times poll. That's a feat the current team is unlikely to duplicate because area teams are so evenly matched.
The saying that you can never have enough ball-handlers will be severely tested by the Dolphins. If Slaughter can get the players to shove their egos aside and share the ball, it could be a special season. Keep an eye on 6-7 Stanford Brown and 6-7 Michigan transfer Jake Hager. Young needs one of them to be a reliable rebounder.
The Spartans' starting five might be the best in the state. They have size, experience and talent with 6-5 Matt Humphrey, 6-8 Josh Crittle, 6-6 Jordan Walker, 6-3 Brandon Spearman and 5-9 point guard D.J. Cooper. Last season, Cooper proved he was one of the top pure point guards in the area. Spearman, a Jerel McNeal-clone, should be more assertive. The keys will be Humphrey and Crittle. Humphrey had an up-and-down junior season. Crittle improved a lot last season, his first in the Catholic League.
Young isn't the only Public League team with a motto. Simeon coach Robert Smith is preaching ''Expect the unexpected,'' and it seems to be working. The Wolverines believe they can win the city and state titles for a third consecutive year, even without Derrick Rose and Tim Flowers. Kenyon Smith is one of the most capable guards in the state, and 6-9 Leo transfer Stan Simpson and 6-5 Thornwood transfer Steve Walker give Simeon the city's best front line.
Through all the Lamont Bryant turmoil, one thing is certain: The Commandos have as much talent and experience as any team in the state. Ryan Hare and Darius Smith are talented and battle-tested. Eriq Harris, a 6-6 junior, and Dorian Tyler, a 6-8 senior, should give new coach Courtney Hargrays plenty of size and skill in the post. If Dion Stamps and Ardarius Simmons play up to potential, expect Marshall to make a third consecutive trip to Peoria.
It could be a rough start for the Vikings, with five of their key players involved in the football team's deep run in the playoffs. But expect them to be a force by Christmas. SIU recruit Kevin Dillard is a spectacular point guard. Russell Ellington, Mike Buchanan and Supo Sanni provide a tough, athletic starting lineup few teams can match.
When Mike Dunigan, the Admirals' 6-9 center, is playing well, Farragut will be tough to beat. Guard Isiah Williams should bring leadership and stability to the backcourt. Watch out for Marvin Thigpen and Darius Stowers, tough players who can change a game.
The Blazing Trojans lost three Division I-quality players to graduation but shouldn't miss a beat. Coach Jasper Williams has all the necessary pieces for a long playoff run. Underrated Jamal Daniel runs the point. Brian Conway, a 6-3 wing, provides the athleticism. Brothers Jawan (6-8) and Aaron (6-6) Nelson secure the post, and Pierre Jones can knock down threes.
Thanks to Georgia Tech recruit Iman Shumpert, one of the top-rated players in the national class of 2008, expectations are sky high for the Huskies. Shumpert has some help, but not a lot. Daniel Barnes, a 6-2 guard, is an excellent high school player, but things get slim after that. Marcus Acre and Adam Taylor, a pair of 6-3 seniors, make up the supporting cast.
The Wildkits have experience, size, depth and athleticism. Coach Bobby Locke did a terrific job last year, leading his unheralded team to a 22-9 record and a supersectional appearance. Zach Morton, Stephen Rudnicki, Travis Clark and Daniel Farr will pave the way, but big things are expected from two newcomers, 6-6 senior Derryan Hunt and 6-4 senior Eric Dortch.
Coach Mike Oliver's passion and dedication has kept Curie in the upper regions of the Public League the last few seasons. He's made do with marginal talents and undersized players. That's all over. Curie is poised to become one of the state's elite programs, thanks to 6-4 forward Wayne Blackshear, who is considered the top freshman in the state.
''He reminds me so much of Corey Maggette,'' Oliver said. ''He can run, he can jump, he can shoot it. He's probably better than Maggette was as a freshman.''
Curie will be led by point guard Donovan Foster, a Detroit recruit. Oliver is also expecting a lot from sophomores Jeremy Prince and Greg Travis and 6-10 Leo transfer Steve Goines.
Carl Richard, Elivo Gonzalez, Tommie Thomas and 6-7 Shaun Pratl return from last season's 26-3 team. The Bulldogs are a top contender for the Class 4A state title.
The Meteors have a loaded backcourt with Elliott Brown, Derek Needham and Richie Fisher. Mike Shaw, a 6-7 freshman, was the talk of the city last year and enters with huge expectations.
Sophomore Lenzelle Smith is expected to elevate the Z-B's into the area's elite. Ron Steward, Markus Yarbrough and Rodney Clinkscales provide a capable supporting cast.
The Trevians are huge, but flawed. Peter Boehm (6-6), Jack Boehm (6-6) and Tim McCrary (6-6) are big and skilled and 6-5 Alex Rossi is one of the area's great young talents. But who will handle the ball? Coach Rick Malnati is going to have to figure something out.
Mike Flaherty is building a monster at Mount Carmel. The Caravan has four starters back from a 19-9 team, and one of the best freshman classes around with Tracy Abrahms and Adonis Filer.
Coach Tom Livatino can't say enough about senior guard Jeremy Montgomery.
''He's playing as well as anyone I've ever coached, including Gordon Watt and Colin Falls,'' Livatino said.
If Montgomery keeps that up, the Lions could surprise behind a strong supporting cast that includes Courtney Bell, and a group of talented underclassmen.
Nick Fruendt, possibly the best scorer in the area, should be nearly unstoppable his senior year. Junior David Bryant will play the Scottie Pippen role.
After losing Demetri McCamey and Evan Turner to the Big Ten, this was supposed to be a rebuilding year for longtime coach Gene Pingatore. But expect his young team to be a force in time for the playoffs, if not sooner. Diamond Taylor and DeAndre McCamey (Demetri's younger brother) give the Chargers one of the most talented backcourts in the state. David Dixon and Louis Green return and should be much improved.
There are a lot of unknowns with the Bulldogs. They were 11-17 last season and have a new coach, former U-High coach Ron Ashlaw. But the future is bright. Two sophomores, Illinois recruit Jereme Richmond, a 6-6 wing, and 5-10 point guard Mike Springs are fully capable of helping Waukegan double its win total. Expect Naudgee Carpenter, Reggie Thomas, Colin Nickerson and 6-5 junior Steve Claiborne to contribute.
The war of words has begun. Don't miss the two Von Steuben-Foreman matchups, as this is developing into one of the city's top rivalries. The Panthers aren't going to give up the North Side without a fight. Mike DiNunno, a 6-0 guard, is one of the top shooters in the city and Deonte Lundeen is silky smooth with the ball. Cordarrel Eldridge (6-4) and Homer Denson (6-7) give coach Vince Carter some size and strength in the post.
''We've heard about [Foreman's] talking all summer long,'' DiNunno said. ''But Von Steuben still owns the North Side.''
Coach Terry Head has built a program at Foreman. Lavonte Dority is one of the top recruits in the sophomore class and Mike McCall can flat-out score. The big question will be depth. Keep an eye on 6-6 sophomore Edward Denard.
The Eagles return nearly everyone from last season's 19-7 team. Demarcus Jones leads the way.
The Ryan Boatright era has begun in Aurora. The 5-9 freshman made national news this summer by committing to USC before he chose a high school. Coach Wendell Jefferies is confident Boatright can live up to the hype, but thinks it might be rough going at first.
''This is a whole new ballgame for him,'' Jeffries said. "He might not get his feet under him until Christmas.''
Boatright has talent around him. Tramell Weathersby, a 6-4 sophomore, was impressive last season and 6-5 Andrew Dockery and 5-11 James Shepard return.
Michael Haynes, one of the city's top big men, and Paris Parramore are back. Expect coach Ken Crump's squad to improve throughout the season.
The Head brothers, Jeremy and Crandall, will provide plenty of scoring and athleticism, but point guard Kendrick Morse is the steady force who will lead the way.
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Photos: No. 1 Young