Scouting Libertyville boys basketball

LIBERTYVILLE

Coach: Scott Bogumil, 7th season

2009-2010 record: 15-14, 6-6 Lake

2009-2010 IHSA tournament results: Lost to Deerfield in regional championship, 56-37.

Key players lost: F Billy Meyer, G Hobie Herberger, G John Colao (North Central College)

Key players returning: G Ryan Barth, sr., F Luke Mathewson, jr., G Ellis Matthews, jr., F Jeremy Birck, sr., F Landon Eyre, sr., G Griffin Pils, jr., C Keegan McAullife, sr., F Andrew O'Sullivan, sr.

Top newcomers: G Anthony Mack, jr., F Joey Eichman, sr.

Outlook: Depth will be one of Libertyville's biggest strengths this season, and that's a good thing. After all, head coach Scott Bogumil loves a fast-paced, up-tempo game in which he frequently subs and often reaches deep into his bench for a large rotation. “We're going to keep that pace going,” Bogumil said. “We've always played a lot of kids and the last couple of years, we've played a lot of young kids. Those kids are older now and have matured a lot and that's going to help us.”

The Wildcats return eight players who all boast significant varsity experience, including Ryan Barth and Luke Mathewson, who were among the team leaders last year in points and rebounds, respectively. Barth averaged 12 points per game while the 6-foot-5 Mathewson pulled down about 7 rebounds per game. “We have a lot of players who played a lot of minutes last year,” Bogumil said. “We're hoping that makes a difference for us this year (in the North Suburban Conference). We were in a four-way tie for first at one point last year and had one bad weekend and that was it. The last few years, we've been close to making a breakthrough, but we just haven't been able to do it. I think we're going to be playing with a lot of experienced, confident guys and that could help push us to the next level.” Height should also help the Wildcats, who feature one of the tallest players in Lake County history. Senior center Keegan McAullife, who transferred to Libertyville as a sophomore, is 7-feet and has made drastic improvements since his arrival. As he has continued to fit into his frame, McAullife is ready to be a major contributor this season. Besides Mathewson, two other Wildcats are about 6-foot-5, including forwards Andrew O'Sullivan and Joey Eichman.

Opener: Vs. Naperville Central at Fenton, 6 p.m., Monday