Scouting Rolling Meadows Mustangs

Rolling Meadows Mustangs

Coach Kevin Katovich (eighth year, 87-105)

Last year 13-15, 6-4 (T2nd MSL East)

Key losses Teddy Metzger (8.2 ppg), Will Trunk (9 ppg, 52 3s), Dan Wenzel (5.2 ppg)

Returning players Seniors Richie Kemph (6-3, G, all-area, 16 ppg, 4 rps, 3 apg, 60 3s), Jimmy Garoppolo (6-3, F, 6.8 ppg), Tyler Allen (6-1, G), Kyle Weiner (6-0, G), Dan Lowry (6-0, F), Steve Rickerson (6-0, G), Tom Figiel (5-10, G), Jack Barry (6-1, F); sophomore Brian Nelms (5-10, G)

Newcomers Juniors Paul Volkman (6-6, C), Sean Connor (6-2, F), Scott Shewmon (6-5, F), James Nolan (5-9, G), Marc Chiefari (6-0, G), Mike Crigler (6-0, G); sophomore Eric Lowe (5-7, G)

Outlook The Mustangs have one of the MSL's top scorers in Kemph, an inside presence in Garoppolo, a returning point guard in Nelms and what Katovich called "a bunch of question marks." Katovich is hoping the athletic Allen, who is a slasher, and Weiner, who could fill Metzger's all-around role, can give some relief to Kemph. "This year after Richie we don't have someone who consistently is going to score," Katovich said. "I think Weiner and Allen can, but can they do it consistently?" Kemph is back for his third year on varsity and has gotten stronger, improved defensively and taken on a bigger leadership role. "Like he always did he played nonstop," Katovich said. "The big difference is he's comfortable and he's had some good role models in how to lead." Garoppolo will be tough inside and Nelms has improved. "He's really impressed us," Katovich said of Nelms. "He knows exactly what we're doing offensively and defensively." Volkman should also help inside and Lowry saw some varsity minutes last year. Katovich also figures to use more matchup zone on defense. "We'll have to mix it up," he said. "I don't think we'll be as good man-to-man as we were last year."