Scouting Cary-Grove boys basketball

Cary-Grove Trojans

Coach: Ralph Schuetzle (seven years, 97-76 record)

Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)

2009-10 record: 14-13 (8-2 FVC, first place)

Top returning players: Ryan Anderson (Sr., 6-4 F), Ryan Arquette (Jr., 6-1 G), Matt Aulert (Sr. 6-4 F), Ben Bradshaw (Jr. 6-4 F), Matt DiCicco (Jr., 5-9 PG), Eric Graham (Jr., 6-3 F), Jon Guay (Sr., 6-2 F), Matt Lodge (6-4 F), Alex Posey (Sr., 6-5 F), Nick Richter (Sr. 6-1 PG)

Top newcomers: Jake Bianchi (Jr., 5-11 PG), Alex Crowley (So. 6-6 F), John Pearl (Jr., 5-9 PG), Zach Taylor (Jr., 6-2 F)

Season outlook: The Trojans graduated do-it-all forward Chad McCarron, but the defending Fox Valley Conference (Valley) champs return experience on the perimeter and could challenge for the division title once again if their developing post players contribute consistently. Leading the way is returning all-area point guard Nick Richter. He developed into a force for the Trojans as a junior when he averaged 11.6 points, 2.4 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game before a leg injury ended his season three weeks prematurely. Jon Guay gives the Trojans more height and athleticism on the outside. Long and lean Alex Posey switches this season from the post to a wing-forward. He and junior Eric Graham will both see playing time at forward. Manning the post will by Ryan Anderson (6-4) and/or Ben Bradshaw (6-4, 230 pounds). How well those four players perform will say a lot about Cary-Grove's level of team success in 2010-11.

“We can contend for the conference if our fours and our fives give us some points,” C-G coach Ralph Shuetzle said. “I know our ones, twos and threes will score. If our fours and fives can gets some points in the paint, it will really help us on the perimeter.” Bradshaw is coming off knee surgery and was only cleared last week, so sophomore Alex Crowley (6-6) has been brought up to the varsity to start the season for insurance reasons. Look for the Trojans to up the tempo on offense more than they have in the past. Cary-Grove has averaged 52 or 53 points per game for the last several seasons, but the Trojans are aiming for a 60-point average this year to keep up with the likes of Valley Division teams like Jacobs and McHenry, teams that normally score in the low sixties. “That's really just one more basket a quarter,” Schuetzle said. “We've got to get out and take more shots to score more points because if you average 52 points you have to hold the other team in the forties to win. We'll probably shoot it a little quicker than we have in the past. Before, just the outstanding shooters were allowed to shoot. Now, our decent shooters can shoot, too. We want to get out and run a little more and see if we can attack the basket.”