Things work out well for Knights at IU
Prospect's boys basketball team decided to give the Indiana University team camp a try this summer.
"It worked out really well," Prospect coach John Camardella said of the June 20-21 trip to Bloomington.
Especially since the defending Mid-Suburban League champions won the large school championship. The fourth-seeded Knights avenged a pair of pool-play losses in the semifinals and the title game.
In the semifinal win they beat an Avon (Ind.) team with Division I underclass prospects in 6-foot-5 Kendall Griffin and 6-8 Austin Burgett.
"It was very well-run and obviously winning helps," Camardella said. "I was really happy."
Camardella said returning all-area point guard Joe LaTulip "has been terrific all summer" will key the offense with co-captain Jack Redding. Nsenzi Salasini also returns to the starting lineup and Kevin Matkovic, one of last season's top reserves, will have a bigger role.
Camardella said 6-7 Jake Suckow has been the Knights' biggest surprise this summer. Junior Grant DePalma and sophomore Mike LaTulip, the starting backcourt on the sophomore team, will add depth.
"Those three have really filled some voids," Camardella said. "All three of them will be big contributors this season."
The big key for the Knights will be replacing not only the scoring but leadership of 6-7 Kevin Reed, who is going to Illinois Wesleyan, and MSL East player of the year Jason Leblebijian.
"We've got two big holes to fill with their size, skill and strength, but the guys are up to the challenge," Camardella said. "The number one question is how we'll get easy baskets."
Minor matters: Former Maine West star Tyler Ladendorf is off to a torrid start with the Twins' Rookie League team in Elizabethton (Tenn.). The shortstop, a second-round draft pick in 2008, is hitting .386 with 4 homers and 16 RBI in his team's 13-2 start.
Hersey graduate Scott Kelley, who was taken in the 23rd round of this year's draft by the Royals, has a 1.17 ERA with 8 strikeouts and no walks in 72/3 innings for their Rookie League team in Burlington (N.C.).
Palatine grad Butch Biela is playing the outfield and hitting .263 with 2 RBI in 7 games for the Pirates' Class A short-season State College (Penn.)Spikes.
MSL baseball assignment chair needed: The Mid-Suburban League is looking for a baseball assignment chair for the 2010 season. Contact John Novak, assistant principal for student activities at Hersey, at (847) 718-4818 or john.novak@d214.org.
Elk Grove football golf outing: Elk Grove's football golf outing is Friday, Aug. 7, at 1 p.m. at Fox Run. To register go to http://www.golfdigestplanner.com/11482-eghsfballgolfouting/.