Scouting Prospect Knights
Prospect Knights
Coach John Camardella (third year, 38-19)
Last year 21-8, 10-0 (MSL East champs, MSL champs, 4A sectional semifinalist)
Key losses Kevin Reed (two-time all-area, 13.4 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 3.6 apg, Illinois Wesleyan), Jason Leblebijian (all-area, MSL East player of year, 13.4 ppg, 4 rpg, 52 3s, Bradley baseball), Bobby Reibel
Returning players Seniors Joe LaTulip (5-10, G, all-area, 12.8 ppg, 3.4 apg, 56 3s), Jack Redding (6-3, G-F, 8.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 15 3s), Nsenzi Salasini (6-3, G-F, 5.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg), Kevin Matkovic (6-1, G-F), Jake Suckow (6-7, F), Matt Huene (6-6, F), Eddie Gerdes (5-9, G), Chris Burns (6-2, F), Sam Pope (6-3, F)
Newcomers Juniors Grant DePalma (5-10, G), Terry Redding (6-4, F), Matt Loebbaka (6-5, F), Quinn Drinan (5-9, G), Danny O'Brien (6-2, G-F), Will Botefuhr (6-7, F), Trent Greco (6-0, G); sophomore Mike LaTulip (5-11, G)
Outlook Prospect is chasing feats which haven't been accomplished in more than two decades - repeat MSL and division titles (1984-86) and back-to-back seasons with 20 wins and sectional trips (1984-85). "In our first meeting we were talking and said, 'Are we defending it or are we starting new,'" Camardella said. It could be considered a mix with Joe LaTulip, Jack Redding, Salasini and Matkovic back from last year's main core while standouts Reed and Leblebijian are gone. "I told them we're not going to spend time this season figuring out who is going to replace Kevin and Jason," Camardella said. "We're going to spend time figuring out how to work with what we have." Which is pretty good with LaTulip leading another fast-paced attack (61 ppg last year) and Redding posing potential matchup problems as a swingman. Salasini's leaping ability makes him dangerous around the basket and he's significantly improved his on-ball defense and Matkovic is a good shooter and defender who was a significant late-season contributor. "The four of them have really taken over this team," Camardella said. The biggest difference this year is better depth with Suckow, Loebbaka and Huene inside, Pope and Terry Redding at forwards and Mike LaTulip and DePalma in the backcourt. LaTulip is a tremendous shooter and DePalma will be a tough defender when he returns in a few weeks from a knee injury in the Knights' last football game. "We'll be able to use our bench and I don't think we'll lose much," Camardella said.