Scouting Elk Grove boys basketball

Elk Grove

Coach: Anthony Furman (fourth year, 24-62)

Last year: 12-17, 5-5 (4th MSL East)

Key losses: Brian Battaglia (all-area G, 10.8 ppg, 45 3s, Harper), Donny Duschinsky (F, 16.3 ppg), Scott Siwicki (C, 7.2 ppg), Keven Zelaya (G, 8.2 ppg, Harper); senior Joey Bishoff (2.6 ppg) did not return

Returnees: Seniors John Lorenz (G, 5.1 ppg), Sean Gordon (5-10, G), Joe Sabatino (5-8, G), Matt Gordon (5-10, G), Erik D’Onofrio (5-11, F), Kevin Morelos (6-3, F)

Newcomers: Seniors Justin Flores (5-10, G), Don Gardner (6-4, C); juniors Devin Neill (5-10, G), Peter Kinsella (6-1, F), Jeff Miceli (5-10, G), Anthony Jimenez (6-1, F), Zack Solorio (6-2, F), Chris Barreto (5-11, F); sophomores Austin Amann (6-0, G), Kishan Patel (5-9, G)

Outlook: The Grenadiers were hit hard by graduation after recovering from a 1-9 start for their best East record since 2004-05. Lorenz is the most experienced returnee and he didn’t get any starts until late in the season. “We’ve set a goal where we need to be as competitive as we can be every day in practices and games,” Furman said. “We’ll start figuring out more of the identity of the team as we play games and get kids tested against other people’s best.” Since Lorenz is one of the Grens’ better shooters, Furman is looking for Flores, a summer move-in, Amann, Neill and Patel can take care of the ballhandling. Morelos and the Gordon brothers also figure in a rotation where Furman said “every spot is wide open. We may go through 12 or 13 guys and see who can do it when it’s for real.” What Furman expects the Grens to do early is defend until everyone gets acclimated offensively. But it will be different without the 6-6 Siwicki (100 blocked shots) in the middle. “We really need to make sure we’re playing good team defense and not depending on spectacular plays,” Furman said. “We’re depending on everyone doing their job.”