Scouting Kaneland Knights

Kaneland Knights

Coach Brian Johnson

Last year 13-13, 5-9, fifth in the Western Sun Conference.

Postseason Lost 47-38 to Hampshire in Class 3A Burlington Central regional semifinals

Key losses Christian Dillon, Brody Root.

Top returnees Ryley Bailey (6-1, sr., G), Steve Colombe (6-2, sr., F), Chaon Denlinger (6-3, jr., F), David Dudzinski (6-9, sr., F-C), Sean Paulick (6-3, sr., F), Donavan Williams (5-10, sr., G).

Newcomers to watch Taylor Andrews (6-2, jr., F), Tyler Callaghan (6-4, jr., F).

Outlook No, former Knights coach Dennis Hansen's successor is not the vocalist for the rock band, AC/DC. This Brian Johnson has a solid basketball coaching pedigree 2008-09 varsity assistant to Gordie Kerkman at West Aurora, and six years prior at Dundee-Crown, which reached last year's Class 4A Final Four. Like the singer, however, Johnson aims to deliver lunchpail grit with man to man defense and football mentality provided by the likes of point guard Bailey, banger Callaghan, slasher Andrews. "We'll have a tough-minded mental attitude when it comes to defense," Johnson said. When it comes to offense, Holy Cross recruit Dudzinski is close to 1,000 points in his career, coming off averages of 17 points and 9 rebounds as a junior. The two-time all-Western Sun pick can post up, hit the three and is intelligent, second in his class academically. Aside from Dudzinski and Denlinger it's not yet a great shooting team, but Johnson likes the ball-handling on this squad, which he thinks will compete with any in the conference. "Cautiously optimistic," he said. "We're going to harp on playing hard, physical, man-to-man dense and trying to really work on having our defense create baskets for us."