Scouting Burlington Central Rockets
Burlington Central Rockets
Coach: Jenna Real (1st year)
Conference: Big Northern East
2010-11 record: 11-17 (6-4 BN-East)
Top returning players: Catherine Kaynish (Sr. G), Jessica Laird (Sr. G), Amanda Ritchie (Sr. G), Camille Dela Cruz (Jr. G), Sarah Nelson (Sr. G), Brenda Thasavong (Sr. C).
Key newcomers: Alison Colby (Fr. F), Erica Haynes (Jr. G).
Outlook: Real, a former Burlington Central and Loyola University standout and the 2002-03 Daily Herald all-area co-captain, takes the reigns of the Rockets' program from Stephanie Smith, who left after two seasons to become a graduate assistant at Northern Illinois. She has a roster of eight seniors and some talented underclass players to build around as the Rockets try to turn things around from a losing season and get back on track. While Central lost one major presence in the middle with Alli Settanni graduating, the Rockets do return the 6-foot-1 Thasavong, who averaged 9.5 points and 12.2 rebounds per game last season. Laird, a 5-9 guard, will be looked at to score more as will Nelson, who steps into a senior leadership role this season. Central's ace in the hole might be the unknown, freshman Alison Colby, who scored a game-high 21 points in the Rockets' season-opening win over Elgin. "She's got some tools," Real said of Colby, the younger sister of former BC star Taylor Colby. "She's young but her ability is beyond that of a freshman." Real, who coached the BC sophomore team last season, will stress fundamentals with this team and she expects her squad to contend for the BN-East championship. "Our goal this year is to become a top contender in the conference," she said. "Becoming a top contender will take a lot of hard work and improvement in our overall fundamentals. We have a lot of returning varsity experience and speed. Having a new coaching staff, we have a slightly new philosophy which will take time for the girls to get used to. However, I have confidence the team will be successful and feed off our strengths as soon as they gain game experience." Real will be assisted this season by Ken Ruud, the former McHenry County College coach who was Real's AAU coach when she played for the Illinois Pacesetters. "It's nice to have his experience around," Real said. "It should be fun coaching with him."