Scouting Larkin boys basketball

Larkin Royals

Coach: Deryn Carter (second year, 1-26)

Conference: Upstate Eight (River)

2009-10 record: 1-26, (1-9 UEC), lost to Dundee-Crown in a regional play-in game in 2 OTs.

Top returning players: Brent Cooks (Sr., 6-0 F) Matt Rice (Sr., 5-11 G), Cam Ross (Sr., 5-8 PG), Trevor Whitehead (Sr., 6-0 G)

Top newcomers: Jack Eckholm (Jr., 5-9, G), Ian Fluhler (Jr., 6-0 G), Blake Grantham (Jr., 6-5 F), Franklin Haywood (Sr., 5-8 PG), Quantice Hunter (So., 5-10 G), Adarion Mahone (Jr., 6-0 F), Shaquille Mosley (Jr. 5-11 G), Antonio Pipes (Jr., 6-4 F/C), Vince Sarangaya (So., 5-9 PG), CJ Snellgrove (Sr., 5-10 G)

Season outlook: A pessimist might say Larkin will struggle after graduating 11 players and returning only four. An optimist might say graduating 11 players from a team that won only eight games (and was forced to forfeit 7 of those victories) provides the opportunity for a clean slate. “I don't want to be an optimist or a pessimist,” second-year coach Deryn Carter said. “I consider this the formal transition year and the practices have been great, so I'm very excited about that. It feels like I have a lot more returners than newcomers, so that's good. My expectations are high and right now the guys are responding positively.” Carter said Brent Cooks ranks among the best athletes in the Upstate Eight Conference, which has split into two divisions: Valley and River. The Royals will compete in the River Division against Elgin, Streamwood, St. Charles North, St. Charles East, Batavia and Geneva.

Larkin will be paced by four seniors, all of whom Carter called “good leaders and fantastic athletes.” Cooks' task is to continue developing the skills to match his athleticism. Whitehead is an unselfish team player with quickness at the guard position. Matt Rice plays like his motor is stuck in high gear, Carter said, and has surprising strength for his size. Cam Ross is the point guard. He missed most of last season with a broken thumb. His return has had a calming effect due to his steadiness with the ball. The newcomers include sophomores Vince Sarangaya and Quantice Hunter. Sarangaya is a backup point guard who can handle the ball and hit big shots, as he did for the sophomore team last year. Hunter is the program's best shooter, according to Carter, and will fill the hole left by sharpshooter Ryan Smith's graduation. He'll play significant minutes. Mosley is an athletic guard. Blake Grantham (6-5) and Antonio Pipes (6-4) bring more height to the table than the Larkin roster has enjoyed in three seasons. Adarion Mahone was elevated to the varsity midway through his sophomore season. He brings athleticism combined with a fierce competitive nature.

Gone from the program is Carlito Singleton. He transferred after starting last season as a freshman. Following last year's emotional highs and lows, the Royals hope to make steady headway as the program continues to build under its second-year coach. “Last year was really a feeling out process for the players and the coaching staff,” Carter said. “A lot of what was said of what I would do with the program this year is being done on and off the court. When you lose 11 guys off last year's team there shouldn't be that much optimism because you have big holes to fill, but I feel these guys have stepped right in and we won't miss a beat.”