Scouting Prospect boys basketball

Prospect

Coach: John Camardella (fourth year, 55-29)

Last year: 17-10, 8-2 (East champs)

Key losses: Joe LaTulip (two-time all-area G, 16.2 ppg, 63 3s, Illinois Wesleyan), Jack Redding (all-area F, 11 ppg), Nsenzi Salasini (F, 7 ppg), Kevin Matkovic (3.3 ppg), Jake Suckow (2.4 ppg), Sam Pope (4.6 ppg), Eddie Gerdes

Returnees: Seniors Grant DePalma (5-10, G), Terry Redding (6-5, F), Matt Loebbaka (6-6, F), Dan O’Brien (6-3, F), Quinn Drinan (5-11, G), Will Botefuhr (6-9, C), Trent Greco (6-0, G); junior Mike LaTulip (6-0, all-area G, 15 ppg, 66 3s).

Newcomers: Senior Robert Nyborg (6-4, F); juniors Brad Reiebel (6-1, F), Alex Theirjung (5-11, G), Kevin Sexton (5-11, G), Sam Frasco (5-9, G), Jack Landwehr (6-0, F), Kevin Somogyi (6-3, F)

Outlook: Most of the key parts to a third straight MSL East title have departed but Prospect hopes the tradition continues behind Mike LaTuilp. “Someone joked at the MSL coaches’ dinner that they’re going to play a triangle-and-two and two will be on Mike,” Camardella laughed of the various gimmick defenses the Knights will likely see. “I’m interested to see Mike’s next step after the jump he made (last year). If he improves the same amount we could be in for something special.” Camardella said “we have no idea where that second scorer is going to come from” but it could be Redding or Loebbaka. DePalma will bring leadership and defensive toughness at the point with O’Brien stepping in at forward. Drinan, Botefuhr and Reibel provide depth. “Our offense will start inside,” Camardella said. “We have to establish the post and we’ll probably run more sets this year than we have in the past just to try to free (LaTulip) up.”