Scouting Crystal Lake South Gators

Crystal Lake South Gators

Coach Dan DeBruycker (5th year, 58-55)

Conference Fox Valley (Valley)

Last year 12-16, 2-8 FVC-Valley

Top returners senior Alex Macaulay (6-1, G), junior Kevin Rogers (6-2, F)

Top newcomers juniors Ethan Breitenstein (6-0, PG), Fahn Cooper (6-6, F/C), Tyler Dawson (6-6, C), Robbie Lemke (6-3, F), Ryan Price (6-1, G), Trevor Thompson (6-0, G), Collin Stich (5-10, G)

Outlook The Gators lack experience but not talent. There is only one senior on the roster scoring guard Macaulay, who was the first guard off the bench last year. The first post player off the bench was shot maker Rogers. They are the only two players with any varsity experience. But an influx of talent from a junior class that won 20-plus games at the sophomore level will help. The CL South rotation only went seven deep last year, but the Gators will enjoy more depth this season, according to coach Dan DeBruycker. One strength will be height of Dawson and Cooper, both 6-6. However, with an entirely new starting lineup and so many players new to varsity basketball, it could take time for the Gators to find their groove. "The expectations are up in the air to see how they're going to do," DeBruycker said. "We're just focusing on getting better every day. We're doing a lot of different things than we did last year with different personnel and a younger group. It's going to be interesting. If we shoot real well, we can surprise teams. And we've got height, so we should be better on the glass this year than we were last year. We could be an even better defensive team. It's just going to be the experience to close out games. We only have two guys who have actually played in a varsity game."