Scouting Grant Bulldogs

Grant Bulldogs

Coach Wayne Bosworth (2nd season)

Last year 14-13, 7-5 NSC Prairie

Key players lost F Gilbert Sheehan (CLC), G AJ Spohr (CLC), G Garrett Olsen (North Central)

Key players returning F Jerry Gaylor, soph., G Shane Richardson, jr., F Bill Khan, sr., G Tom Bronken, sr., F Jeremy Wiker, sr.

Key newcomers G Vic Muntu, jr., G Allen Lewis, soph.

Outlook The Bulldogs usher in not only a new season but a new stadium, a state-of-the-art gymnasium that was completed just days before preseason practice began. "It's amazing in there," Grant coach Wayne Bosworth beamed of the 2,800-seat facility that can be expanded to seat 4,000. "We're spoiled. It's top-of-the-line. Just everything. Everything is so nice." Of course, the Bulldogs themselves want to make an equally impressive statement this season and Bosworth believes he's got just the right mix of veterans and young guns to do so. Guard Shane Richardson, who started last year as a sophomore, is rejoined in the lineup by two players who would have been starters but were plagued with injuries Jerry Gaylor and Bill Khan. Just a sophomore, Gaylor was starting last season as a freshman but sprained his ankle early in the season and then kept re-spraining it every time he tried to make a comeback. "He's fine now and we're looking for a big season from him," Bosworth said. "He's a great scorer, he can jump out of the gym, he's developed a really good outside shot. People don't know a lot about him right now, but they will."-Khan could have the same effect. He missed multiple games last season with various injuries a broken nose, a broken hand and knee problems. "He's been in the weight room a lot, he's gotten a lot stronger and he's added a lot to his game," Bosworth said of Khan. "He can hit the three as well as anyone on our team but he can also go inside." At 6-foot-2, Khan is one of Grant's biggest players, which means that the Bulldogs will again be a more perimeter-oriented team and guards Vic Muntu, Tom Bronken and sophomore Allen Lewis should get plenty of playing time as well. The Bulldogs will also press on defense as they did last year. "We probably won't press as much as we did last year, but we definitely will do it," Bosworth said. "We'll just pick our spots. Our strength is our speed so we want to be able to take advantage of that."

Opener 6 p.m. Tuesday vs. Rockford Harlem at Johnsburg tournament