Scouting the Northern Lake
NORTHERN LAKE COUNTY CONFERENCE
ANTIOCH SEQUOITS
Coach: Jim White (6th season)
Last year: (13-15, 5-7 North Suburban Conference)
Last year's tournament finish: Lost in sectional semifinal to St. Patrick, 66-52.
Key players lost: G Dan Brito, G Trevor Koch (Luther College), G Kyle Gofron, G Nate Borries,
Key players returning: F Reece Eldridge, sr., G Logan Weber, jr., F Mike Kawell, sr., G Dan Fillippone, soph.
Newcomers: G Ben Gutke, sr., G Andrew Hare, jr., F Brandon Gallimore, jr., Peter Boeh, jr., Nick Gallante, jr.
Outlook: There has been a chain of events that started last March that is defining Antioch right now. "Our strong finish last year (winning the first regional championship in 20 years), ignited another wave of excitement around here about our program," Antioch coach Jim White said. "We then had the best summer in my five years here. And I love the amount of football players we have on this team coming off a successful (undefeated regular season) season (this fall) and knowing how and what it takes to win. Half our roster played on the football team this year and how that translates to the hardwood we'll see." Quarterback Brandon Gallimore is on the basketball team, as is linebacker and star kicker Ben Gutke. The roster features only four seniors, including Reece Eldridge, Logan Weber and Mike Kawell. "However, each one is a big piece of what we are going to be this year on and off the floor," Antioch coach Jim White said. "Each of them was able to receive valuable experience due to the number of injuries sustained last year with our seniors.
Opener: Monday, 8 p.m. vs. Woodstock at Woodstock
GRANT BULLDOGS
Coach: Wayne Bosworth (9th season)
Last year: 14-17 (8-4 North Suburban Conference)
Last year's tournament finish: Lost in regional semifinal to Grayslake North, 59-52.
Key players lost: F James Mobley
Key players returning: F John Kerr, sr., G Ben Kusiak, sr., G Logan Lewis, sr.
Newcomers: G Jacob Lotz, jr., G Michael Huff, jr.
Outlook: It's payoff time now for the Bulldogs. Two years ago, Grant won only three games riding a group of sophomore starters who were learning on the job. Now those sophomores are seniors and they have steadily improved. Last year, Grant won 14 games. And over the summer, the Bulldogs went 20-5. "We are a senior-dominated team with 11 seniors on the roster this season and some very good juniors," Grant coach Wayne Bosworth said. "Our summer was successful and this team believes in themselves and has a lot of experience in big games against very good competition. We hope to be competitive in every game we play this year." Grant started last season with a solid run through the North Suburban Conference Prairie Division but wound up losing the title to North Chicago in a close game late in the season. Three seniors anchor the lineup for Grant: point guard Logan Lewis, guard Ben Kusiak and forward John Kerr, who went from a freshman B player to one of the leading scorers on the varsity last season. Lewis and Kusiak team up for a heady backcourt, both ranking in the top 10 academically in the senior class. Two new juniors, Jacob Lotz and Michael Huff, bring scoring power to the team. They both routinely scored 20 points a game at the freshman and sophomore levels. Huff is a strong 3-point shooter while Lotz can go inside or out.
Opener: Monday, 7:30 p.m. vs. North Lawndale at Grant
GRAYSLAKE CENTRAL RAMS
Coach: Kosta Kougias (3rd season)
Last year: 13-14 (5-7 Fox Valley Conference)
Last year's tournament finish: Lost to Wheeling in regional quarterfinal, 55-51.
Key players lost: F Jack Beckman, F Sam Ruhlmann, F David Kienzle, Grant Hupp
Key players returning: G Sidney Goodman, sr., G Justin Shepley, sr., G Billy Drevline, sr., F Ryan Spicer, sr., F Zachary Cashmore, sr., G Alec Novak, jr.
Newcomers: F Jack Spalding, jr., G Tony Crews, soph., F Clay Stoffel, jr.
Outlook: Graduation cleared out one of the better big men to have played at Grayslake Central in recent years. Forward Jack Beckman averaged about 12 points and 8 rebounds per game last year and made the Rams very post-centric. This year, Grayslake Central might be just the opposite with a handful of talented guards and perimeter players such as Sidney Goodman, Justin Shepley, Ryan Spicer, Zachary Cashmore, Billy Drevline and Alec Novak. "We are a bit more undersized than years past but have added some quickness and consistent shooters," Grayslake Central coach Kosta Kougias said. "We have a nice mix of returners with varsity experience and some newcomers. Our goal is to compete for a conference championship and make some noise in the state playoffs." Drevline makes his return from an ACL tear that he suffered in the first game of the season last year and Novak looks to play his first full year on varsity.
Opener: Monday, 7:30 p.m. vs. Buffalo Grove at Buffalo Grove
GRAYSLAKE NORTH KNIGHTS
Coach: Todd Grunloh (11th season)
Last year: 24-4 (10-2 Fox Valley Conference)
Last year's tournament finish: Lost in regional championship to Hoffman Estates, 67-62.
Key players lost: F Aidan Einloth (MIT), G Bobby Krebs, F Connor Sinclair
Key players returning: G Jamal Thomas, sr., F James Connolly, jr., F Jon Smithson, jr., G Jack Van Reck, sr.
Newcomers: G Ryan Connolly, fr., F Zach Carter, soph.
Outlook: Grayslake North lost a lot from last year's 24-win team. But the Knights also return a lot, too. So another 20-win season is very much on the goal chart. "We lost a great deal of experience in six seniors, including two 3-year starters in Bobby Krebs and Aidan Einloth," Grayslake North coach Todd Grunloh said. "But we return two of our top three leading scorers from last year in Jamal Thomas and James Connolly. We will depend on these two a great deal for leadership and what they can bring to the court. They were two essential pieces to our success last year and deserve much of the credit for that 24-4 season." Thomas made the Fox Valley Conference all-conference team and was fourth-team all-state. He averaged 18.8 points, 5.8 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game. Connolly averaged nearly 10 points per game and will get the chance to play with his younger brother Ryan, a freshman guard who got pulled up. "There will be a lot of competition for playing time and we will have to work hard over the next couple weeks to try to figure out the best five players that we can put on the court and the rotation of players to complement the starters," Grunloh said. "From a coach's standpoint that is a good problem to have because you expect high intensity practices as our players are trying to prove what they are capable of in order to earn playing time."
Opener: Monday, 5:30 p.m. vs. Lake Zurich at Richmond-Burton
LAKES EAGLES
Coach: Chris Snyder (7th season)
Last year: 13-15 (6-6 North Suburban Conference)
Last year's tournament finish: Lost in regional quarterfinal to Maine East, 53-47.
Key players lost: F Colton Jewell, G Jordan Mercure, F Tim Ohlwein
Key players returning: G Kyle Rohr, sr., G Michael Behrendt, jr., F Ian Haflinger, sr., F Jack Christensen, sr., Demetrius Michels
Newcomers: G Logan McCann, jr., F Wade Parmly, jr., G Brad Cherry, soph., G Nick Garcia, sr.
Outlook: It's been an extra-long off-season for Kyle Rohr. The Lakes senior guard injured the ACL in his left knee in late January and was out for the rest of last season. He has spent the time since repairing his knee through surgery and rehabbing. He is ready to go, and the Eagles are going to need him. They lost three starters to graduation in Colton Jewell, Jordan Mercure and Tim Ohlwein. After Rohr (11.5 ppg), Jewell was the second-leading scorer on the team at 10 points per game. "Kyle Rohr is ready to have a big senior season," Lakes coach Chris Snyder said. "He has been relentless in his rehab. We are also looking for Michael Behrendt to have an expanded role both on and off the court. We have a nice mix of returning guys who contributed last year and newcomers who are ready to play. We will need several players to step up and fill the void that the graduated players left. We are confident in the guys we have and feel they are ready to do this. We think we can be pretty athletic and will be looking to utilize this along with our team speed."
Opener: Monday, 5:30 p.m., vs. Crystal Lake South at Johnsburg
ROUND LAKE PANTHERS
Coach: Jeremy Fisher (4th season)
Last year: 4-21 (0-14 North Suburban Conference)
Last year's tournament finish: Lost in regional quarterfinal to Grant, 42-40.
Key players lost: G Michael Green (St. John's, Minnesota)
Key players returning: G/F Zach Kuligoski, sr.
Newcomers: G Chris Pierre, jr., G Jameson Hamlin, sr.
Outlook: With eight players and four starters gone from a team that won only four games and went winless in conference play, Round Lake needs something extra to get the ball rolling in the right direction. Head coach Jeremy Fisher may have found it in some of his early practices. "We are young, but the youthful energy in the gym is refreshing," Fisher said. "Last season was not as successful as we had hoped and we are looking to improve our results." One veteran who can give the young players and the team in general some direction is Zach Kuligoski. He is the only returning starter and averaged 8 points and 4 rebounds per game last season. Newcomer Chris Pierre has turned heads and set the bar high. "Chris had a wonderful sophomore season for us last year so we are looking for him to build upon that as he plays varsity ball for the first time," Fisher said. "I feel every player we have in the gym can contribute and help us achieve success."
Opener: Monday, 6:30 p.m., Woodstock North at Woodstock
WAUCONDA BULLDOGS
Coach: Scott Luetschwager (8th season)
Last year: 11-16 (6-6 North Suburban Conference)
Last year's tournament finish: Lost in regional championship to St. Patrick, 87-44.
Key players lost: G Bryan Nee, G Dylan Latiolais, F Danny Stanley
Key players returning: F Kyle Drobink, sr., F Jarod Stonis, sr.
Newcomers: G Connor Brannick, soph., G John Jackson, soph., G Jason Carlson, soph., F Drew Nolan, jr., F Matt Nolan, jr., F Brendan Tulley, jr.
Outlook: While Wauconda lost nine seniors to graduation last year, two of its most decorated players return. Forward Jarod Stonis earned all-conference honors and forward Kyle Drobink was an honorable mention all-conference pick. "We are expecting that both Jarod and Kyle will be able to build off of last season's successes while they grow into their new roles as leaders of our team," Wauconda coach Scott Luetschwager said. "This year we will be a young team with only four seniors and a solid mix of underclassmen, including three sophomores." Despite an 11-win season, Wauconda finished last year strong with a berth in the regional championship game. With a few wins this year, three to be exact, Luetschwager will pass Rich Wolf and become the winningest coach in the modern era of Wauconda basketball history.
Opener: Monday, 7 p.m. vs. Richmond-Burton at Richmond-Burton