Season preview: Grayslake Central

Grayslake Central

Coach: Steve Ikenn (second season)

Last season: 28-4, 12-0 FVC Fox

Key losses: C Rebekah Llorens (Hope College), G Alex Scarbro (University of Wisconsin-Whitewater), F Kat Dickson (Hope College, soccer), G Maddy Miller, G Roxy Acoff

Returning players: Sr. G Skyler Jessop, Sr. G Claire Brennan, So. C Morgan Dahlstrom, Sr. G Emma Shepard, Sr. F Beth Arnold, Sr. G Sarah Kuligowski, Sr. G Colleen Daly, Sr. F Michelle Lettenmair

Newcomers: So. G Carson Sparkman, So. F/G Maddy Miller, Jr. G Savannah Mudd, Fr. G Lauren Spalding, Jr. F Taylor Peterson

Season opener: Libertyville at Buffalo Grove, 6:30 p.m. Thursday

Outlook: The Rams’ terrific 2010-11 season didn’t end until the supersectional, when they lost to eventual Class 3A state champ Montini. Gone are four starters, including all-area center Rebekah Llorens (14.5 ppg, 8.9 rpg) and all-area guard Alex Scarbro (10.7 ppg), but back is two-time all-area guard Skyler Jessop (10.8 ppg). And while the Rams graduated starter Maddy Miller, they welcome another Maddy Miller, who’s a 5-foot-9 sophomore forward/guard. Senior guard Claire Brennan was the first player off the bench last season. Morgan Dahlstrom, a 6-1 center, saw plenty of varsity action last season. Like Brennan, senior guard Colleen Daly enters her third season on varsity. Jessop has been a varsity player since the middle of her freshman season. “We should be in the mix for the Fox Valley Fox Division title,” said coach Steve Ikenn, whose Rams enjoyed an undefeated run through the division last season. “If we stay healthy and our young players mature, we have the potential to be dangerous come playoff time.”