Scouting Mundelein Mustangs

Mundelein Mustangs

Coach Dick Knar (6th season)

Last year 12-18, 1-11 NSC Lake

Key players lost F Aaron Metzger, G Kevin Barber

Key players returning G Ben Brust , sr., G Leavon Head, jr., F Ryan Sawvell, jr., F Drew Herchenbach, sr., F Nick Delaquila, sr.

Key newcomers G Robert Knar, fr., G Richard Knar, jr., G Charlie Gandolfi, jr.

Outlook Ben Brust is back, and so too could be the Mustangs. Mundelein had high hopes going into last season after back-to-back campaigns in the previous two seasons that yielded 22 and 18 wins, respectively. But then Brust, who has signed with Iowa and was averaging 28 points per game, went down in January with a broken leg. The Mustangs tried to move on but struggled, particularly in the North Suburban Lake Division where they got only one win. "When Ben went down, we struggled to score," Mundelein coach Dick Knar said. "We want to keep making our focus defense and rebounding. But this year, we'll be able to score, too." And not just because Brust is back. Knar says that he'll get some firepower from 6-foot-8 forward Ryan Sawvell, who averaged 13 points per game last year. He's gained 20 pounds of muscle and is already getting Division I scholarship offers. Guards Leavon Head and Robert Knar, a freshman who also happens to be Knar's son, can also put the ball in the hoop. Junior guard Richard Knar is Knar's older son-Knar also has high expectations for 6-foot-5 senior Drew Herchenbach, who was the team's sixth man last season but will likely be in the starting lineup. Junior guard Charlie Gandolfi, an energetic defensive stopper, will also get plenty of minutes. "Talent-wise, this is probably the most talented group I've ever had," Knar said. "Now, we just have to make sure we have the mental toughness that really good teams have."

Opener 730 p.m. Monday vs. Grayslake Central at Mundelein Thanksgiving tournament.