Scouting Cary-Grove Trojans
Cary-Grove Trojans
Coach Rod Saffert (4th year, 61-26)
Conference Fox Valley (Valley)
Last year 22-7 (8-2 FVC Valley)
Top returners Seniors Liz Bart (5-8, G), Lizzy Dyrek (5-7, F), Christina Bear (5-10, G); juniors Megan Straumann (5-9, G), Claire Jakubicek (6-0, F)
Top newcomers Junior Johanna Geegan (5-9, F); sophomore Paige Lincicum (5-9, G); freshmen Olivia Jakubicek (5-11, F), Mallory Wilcyznski (6-1, F-C)
Outlook Cary-Grove excelled last year with a relatively young team, which has Saffert excited about the future. "Last year we were very impressive," said Saffert. "But we lacked chemistry and maturity because we were so young. This year, the chemistry and the maturity are there. It's exciting to think we've got those big things figured. We're looking to do even better this year. Last year, what impressed me the most about a team like Crystal Lake South was the maturity and togetherness they had every stinking game. That's what we feel we have right now. Straumann, Claire Jakubicek and Bart will all-conference picks last year. Jakubicek averaged around 19 points inside the conference and was the team's leading rebounder. Bart averaged around 10 points a game and drained 57 threes (including 9 straight in a game against Jacobs). "We've got Claire inside, but with this team this year, we've got three or four people we can absolutely bang it inside to," said Saffert. "At the same time, Bart shot 45 percent on threes and Straumann was the same." Cary-Grove also returns a number of key free-throw shooters. "We'll be a very good free-throw shooting team," said Saffert. "We have that triple threat of inside and outside and at the line, which will help tremendously." Saffert knows the Valley Division of the FVC will be no walk in the park. "It will be as tough as it has been in a long time with Huntley on our side now," said Saffert. "Jacobs will be good and South is the reigning champs and McHenry and Dundee-Crown are up-and-comers. It will be extremely tough." Cary-Grove faces Lake Zurich (Friday) and Palatine (Saturday) at the D-C Thanksgiving tournament.