Scouting Grayslake North boys basketball

GRAYSLAKE NORTH

Coach: Todd Grunloh, 5th season

2009-2010 record: 14-14, 7-5 Fox Valley Fox

2009-2010 IHSA tournament results: Lost to North Chicago in regional semifinal, 96-63.

Key players lost: G Matt Pucher, G Ross Sauer, C Michael Verwijst

Key players returning: G Teddy Ludwick, sr., C David Sparks, sr., G AJ Fish, soph.

Top newcomers: F Zack Krupp, jr., G Mark Hall, jr.

Outlook: Grayslake North is trying to keep it rolling. The Knights put together their best season in school history last year with 14 victories. They then followed that up with a summer of basketball that kept expectations high despite the toll that graduation took. Grayslake North lost seven of its top eight players from last year. “I was surprised at how well we played together (over the summer), considering this group of kids have never really been on the court at the same time throughout their high school careers,” Grayslake North coach Todd Grunloh said. “We will be relying heavily on a strong junior class.” But two experienced seniors will lead the way. Guard Teddy Ludwick returns after averaging 14.3 points per game last season.

Center David Sparks also saw significant playing time last year. The other non-junior that will see major minutes is sophomore guard AJ Fish, who has made quite a splash in his young high school career. He was brought up to varsity last year as a freshman and he is coming off a football season in which he was the starting quarterback…Size should be a strength for the Knights, who could field a starting five with nothing but players who are 6-foot-2 or taller. “We could do that and not be outmatched with our quickness,” Grunloh said. “We also have a lot of depth at center with Sparks, Brendon Rose and Ben Guhl.”

Opener: Vs. Wauconda at Richmond-Burton 6 p.m. Tuesday