Scouting Grayslake North

GRAYSLAKE NORTH

Coach: Rob Nicoletti (fifth season)

Last season: 12-17, 8-6 in NLCC, lost to Lake Forest in Class 4A Grayslake North regional semifinals

Key losses: F Abbey Guenther

Returning players: Sr. G/F Savannah Guenther (5-11), Sr. G Margaret Stanfel (5-6), Sr. G Jordyn Gerdes (5-7), Jr. G Faith Standerski (5-6), Sr. G Lauren Hansen (5-6)

Newcomers: So. G Meghan Leahy (5-7), So. G Jayden Curtis (5-9), So. G Grace Wamser (5-9), Jr. G Hannah Kutsch (5-6), Jr. G/F Morgan Atwell (5-10), Jr. G/F Kaitlyn Kukis (5-9), Jr. G Madison Kubas (5-8), Jr. F Eden Hartigan (5-11)

Outlook: The Knights' 12 wins last season marked their fewest since 2010-11, when they won just nine games. They did, however, feature one of the best combo guards in the county in 5-foot-11 Savannah Guenther. She averaged 12 points and 7 rebounds per game in an all-area campaign and returns for her senior campaign. The challenge for the Knights, like last season, will be finding players to be productive on the court with Guenther, who's been on varsity since her freshman year. Senior guards Margaret Stanfel and Jordyn Gerdes both have been on varsity the last couple of seasons. Junior guard Faith Standerski committed to play softball for the University of Northern Iowa in the offseason. The newcomers include a trio of sophomore guards in Meghan Leahy, Jayden Curtis and Grace Wamser. "This team has been a lot of fun to coach so far this season and has really embraced what it means to compete each day," said Rob Nicoletti, who's 62-57 in his first three seasons as coach. Last season was the first time the Knights had a losing record under him. "We have some experienced players returning who will have even more responsibility this season, but we also have a lot of new faces who are going to get their chances to prove what they can do on the floor. This group of girls seems really connected, and I'm excited to see the benefits of that on the court."