Scouting Carmel boys basketball

CARMEL

Coach: Tim Bowen, 1st season

2009-2010 record: 10-17

2009-2010 IHSA tournament results: Lost to Highland Park in regional play-in, 61-40.

Key players lost: F Jonathan Huisel, F Pat Cox, F Connor Sexson, G Connor Garvey

Key players returning: F Dan Mooney, sr., F Dan Feld, sr., G Doug Meyer, G Tim Hendricks, sr., G John Busse, sr., G AJ Gawin, sr.

Top newcomers: G Conner Jordan, jr., F Brandon Motzel, jr., G Alex Dunlap, jr., G Zenen Davis-McKennie, jr.

Outlook: Considering that he was inheriting a team that won just 10 games last season, first-year Carmel coach Tim Bowen wasn't sure what to expect out of his new players. He was pleasantly surprised when he began to see them play during the off-season. “It surprised me at how good they are and how tough they are,” Bowen said. “These kids have good fundamentals. I was also impressed with how much we could do because of how smart these kids are and how quickly they catch on to new things. We've got a lot of the things you need to be a good team, we just need to put it all together and start winning games. They are really motivated to do that.”

So is Bowen. He is looking to change the culture regarding boys basketball at Carmel. It's been more than 20 years since the Corsairs have had a winning season. The administration hired Bowen, who was successful during his recent tenure at Grayslake Central, in the hopes of finally making a change. “Before last season, it had been 12 years since the program won at least 10 games,” Bowen said. “Everyone is ready to change that and we're getting so much support from the school and the fans. We're going to go at this hard.”…Right away Bowen made defense a focus, which is what he was known for at Grayslake Central. Offensively, the Corsairs boast size in 6-foot-6 forward Brandon Motzel, 6-foot-5 forward Dan Mooney, 6-foot-5 forward Dan Feld and 6-foot-4 forward Mike Fitzgibbons. Mooney is versatile in that he is also one of the team's best shooters. “We're not going to be small,” Bowen said. “And we'll be able to shoot. We've got a lot of shooters on this team. But we will mix it up because I want to work the ball inside and get good shots.”

Opener: Vs. Barrington at Mundelein, 4:30 p.m., Monday