Lake County boys basketball outlook
Antioch Sequoits
Coach: Sean Connor (4th season)
Last season’s record: 15-17, 11-3, Northern Lake County co-champions
Top returning players: Teddi Wetu, sr., 6-3, G, Jason Lee, sr., 6-6 F, Jack Majerowski, sr., 6-6, F, Cam Speich, sr., 6-1, G, Caleb Drews, sr., 6-9, C, Marshall Gehrke, sr., 6-3, G
Key newcomers: Mark Render, jr., 6-1, G, Cooper Marabella, jr., 6-4, F, Chance Parsons, jr., 6-2, G, Mike Galloway, jr., 6-2, G
Worth noting: Antioch has 3 starters back from last year’s team that won a share of the NLCC title (first in 43 years). They received a further boost with the recently announced return of two-time all-NLCC selection Gehrke, an original early graduate, who has decided to pursue college football opportunities (in addition to still considering a BMX career) and will stay his full senior year at Antioch. Wetu is a 3-year varsity player, while Lee and Majerowski also started. “This is the first time in four years we do not return a lot of experience on varsity and will need contributions from the junior class,” said Connor, who noted Render and Marabella lead the way with that 11th-grade group. Antioch has nonconference games scheduled against Benet Academy and Kankakee and is heading to Detroit for Christmas to play in the Motor City Roundball Classic.
Carmel Corsairs
Coach: Mike Wasielewski (1st season)
Last season’s record: 12-21, 4-12, seventh East Suburban Catholic
Top returning players: Ethan Matz, jr., 6-3, G, Ethan Henderson, sr., 6-6
Worth noting: Wasielewski comes to Carmel after a 7-year run as head coach at Niles West. He’s a 20-year teaching/coaching veteran. Matz averaged 8.5 points per game as a sophomore and is Carmel’s only returning starter. “Ethan is a good shooter and driver,” Wasielewski said. Henderson is receiving offers from numerous Division III colleges, Wasielewski noted. “Ethan had a great summer,” he said. “He came off the bench last year and he will play a much bigger role this season.” Wasielewski is ready to roll and has big plans for the Carmel program. “I’m thrilled to get started,” he said. “There are a lot of athletic kids walking the hallways at Carmel. I hope I can get the program organized this season to make us competitive in Lake County. It might take some time for us to gain experience and learn what we are doing.” Wasielewski said Benet Academy and Chicago Marist are teams to watch for in the ESCC.
Grant Bulldogs
Coach: Wayne Bosworth (16th season)
Last season’s record: 10-17, 6-8, fifth Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Braylon Gray, 6-2, G, Landon Enters, 5-10, G
Key newcomers: Charles Schlicht, soph., 6-1, G
Worth noting: The Bulldogs have a pair of all-NLCC picks back in Gray, who averaged 10 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds and Enters, who averaged 12 points. “Braylon and Landon have been here before and understand what it takes to win at this level,” Bosworth said. Bosworth added speed and quickness will be key assets for Grant. “This is a group that will share the ball well, move well and look to set each other up for success,” he said. “On defense, this is a fast group that can move quickly and is working extremely hard on this end of the floor.” Schlicht will also help the Bulldogs. “Charles is a newcomer who has a very high ceiling and will improve drastically as the season goes on,” Bosworth said. Looking at the NLCC, Bosworth is in agreement with other coaches in terms of the league’s competitive level. “This conference has improved very much over the past couple years and multiple teams always contend for it,” he said. “Every team will need to show up every day or anyone can get anyone in the NLCC.”
Grayslake Central Rams
Coach: Brian Centella (6th season)
Last season’s record: 20-10, 11-3, Northern Lake County co-champions
Top returning players: Eric Brum, sr., 6-0, PG, Chris Jaimes, sr., 6-6, F, Aayan Siddiqui, sr., 6-2, G, Mitch Ross, sr., 6-4, F, Alex Granville, jr., 6-0, G
Key newcomers: Cole Halverson, jr., 6-2, G-F, Carson Woods, jr., 5-10, PG, Aidan Bechard, jr., 6-2, G
Worth noting: While the Rams return 2 starters in point guard Brum and center Jaimes, they also have plenty of depth to work with. “We bring a lot of experience back,” Centella noted. “Eric and Chris will be all-conference-level players. We have some seniors who will flourish in more expanded roles and a junior class that won a ton of games last year as sophomores.” Offensively, Centella is excited about scoring balance. “We have an overall skilled group with a lot of guys who can score,” he said. Centella added the Rams have the potential to be “a very good defensive team,” he said. He noted Jaimes anchors the paint with his elite shot-blocking ability, while Brum is a very good on-ball defender. Centella added Siddiqui, Granvile and Halverson are additional names that could open eyes this winter. Centella noted Antioch, Grant and Grayslake North return experienced rosters. “We will be in the mix again,” Centella said. “If this group can gel and buy into playing together, we have a chance to be good.”
Grayslake North Knights
Coach: Josh Feinzimer (4th season)
Last season’s record: 10-21, 5-9, sixth Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Jayden Hunt, sr., 6-0, PG, Uros Mitrovic, jr., 6-4, F, Tyler Morgan, 6-5, C
Key newcomers: David Magnuson, sr., 6-0, G, Jared Van Donselaar, fresh., 6-5, C
Worth noting: North has its top two scorers back in Hunt (18 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds) and Mitrovic (14 points, 4 rebounds), while Morgan is another returning starter who was among the team leaders in offensive rebounds. Magnuson is a senior transfer student. Feinzimer said strengths this season will be defense, rebounding and overall intelligence. “Offensively, we will be able to play fast and execute our stuff because we have some solid experienced players back who understand how we like to play,” he explained. “Defensively, we will be able to put pressure on the ball and alter shots with our length down low.” Feinzimer said he’s also been impressed with the progress Brady Ballentine has made. “Brady had a very good summer and fall and is poised to make an impact with his shooting skills and quickness on both ends of the floor,” he said. In terms of the conference, Feinzimer said Grant, Antioch, Grayslake Central, Lakes and Wauconda all will be strong. “We think we can contend for a conference title along with those teams,” he said.
Lakes Eagles
Coach: Chris Snyder (15th season)
Last season’s record: 14-15, 11-3, Northern Lake County co-champions
Top returning players: Jason Klimas, 6-5, F, Carson Norris, 6-3, F
Key newcomers: Manasseh Sefah, 6-0, G, Ben Newcomb, soph., 6-2, F, Dorian Pullen, soph., 5-9, G, Mason Gialo, 6-2, F
Worth noting: Lakes has no starters back from a 2023-2024 team that shared the Northern Lake County title with Antioch and Central. “We will need to be a good shooting team and rely on our team quickness,” Snyder said. “We are young, so we will need to learn quickly and come together to compete against a schedule of quality opponents.” Snyder said ball distribution on offense will be a strength, “and we have some kids capable of knocking shots down,” he added. On defense, “we have guys committed to team defense and have some good athleticism we can use to help defend the quality teams and players we will be going against.” Klimas, Snyder said, has a chance to lead the team, and “is a skilled big guy who can handle the ball and use his length to be disruptive on defense,” he said. Snyder feels sophomore Newcomb has a chance to be a major contributor out of the gates, while Sefah, he added, had a great offseason “and will be a big part of what we do. He has made great improvements in his game,” Snyder noted. Snyder sees Central, North, Grant and Antioch as key NLCC contenders.
Lake Zurich Bears
Coach: Terry Coughlin
Last season’s record: 22-9, 10-4, tie third North Suburban
Top returning players: Connor Strauss, sr., 6-4, wing, Kain Kretschmar, jr., 6-4, G, Adrian Riep, jr., 6-4, wing, Evan Peterson, jr., 5-9, G, Tyler Olson, sr., 6-3, G
Key newcomers: Cash Kaczmarek, 6-3, G, Tyler Reed, 6-2, G, Zach Bonelli-Schultz, 6-3, wing
Worth noting: Strauss and Kretschmar, the team’s two returning starters, both earned All-Area honorable mention last season. “Defensively, we will be very good,” Coughlin said. “We have good athletes and positional size. We must rebound well as a team without our 6-8 center returning (Dartmouth-commit Anton Stelnikov transferred to La Lumiere High School in LaPorte, Ind. this fall). The strength of this team should be versatility on both ends of the floor. Offensively, we share the ball very well and have a lot of players who can score.” Coughlin said Strauss and Kretschmar have both worked hard in the offseason on their games, while Peterson and Riep played rolls off the bench last year as sophomores “and are poised to take another step in their development,” he said.
Libertyville Wildcats
Coach: Brian Zyrkowski (8th season)
Last season’s record: 10-19, 4-10 North Suburban
Top returning players: Bryce Wegrzyn, jr., 6-8, F, Liam Hanson, sr., 6-2, G
Key newcomers: Blaise LaVista, jr., 6-3, G, Stevan Gavric, sr., 6-4, F, Terrence Davis, fresh., 6-2, G
Worth noting: Libertyville has 3 starters back, including All-Area players Wegrzyn (16 points, 9 rebounds) and Hanson (13 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals). “We have a nice balance of experience and youth,” Zyrkowski said. “We have multiple guys who can get to the rim, shoot from the perimeter and offensive rebound. On defense, we have good length and athleticism.” Zyrkowski said the 6-8 Wegrzyn can score from inside and out, while Hanson has the ability to handle the basketball, guard the other team’s best player and score. Gavric and LaVista, the coach noted, are coming off a strong football season. “These guys bring a tremendous amount of athleticism and experience in high-pressure situations,” Zyrkowski said. Davis, a freshman, continues to improve on both ends and will have an important role on the team, Zyrkowski added. Looking at the North Suburban, Zyrkowski said Warren and Stevenson are teams to watch with Lake Forest, Libertyville and Waukegan in that top five.
Mundelein Mustangs
Coach: Matt Badgley (8th season)
Last season’s record: 12-23, 3-11 North Suburban
Top returning players: Derek Bishop, 6-1, G, Evan Salvador, 5-11
Key newcomers: LaQuan Thomas, 5-9, G
Worth noting: Bishop is a returning all-NSC and All-Area player who averaged 22 points last season. “Derek is a top-level scorer from the guard position,” Badgley said. “He is a good shooter who can also get to the basket.” Salvador is back after averaging 13 points. Badgley has 3 starters back and said experience will be a key factor for his squad this winter. “We have a decent shooting team that can move the basketball,” he said. “On defense, hopefully our intensity will benefit us.” Badgley said Warren, Stevenson, Lake Forest and Waukegan are teams to watch in the North Suburban while Libertyville and Lake Zurich “can play roles in messing up those in the top level and contend,” he said. “The league is up again this year.”
Round Lake Panthers
Coach: Jack Hansa (2nd season)
Last season’s record: 1-29, 0-14 Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Julian Jones, sr., 5-8, G, Cesar Gutierrez, sr., 6-2, stretch forward, Aldo Vega, sr., 6-1, C, Jaydn Davis, sr.,5-11, G, Malik Isaac, sr., 5-11, G
Key newcomers: Jaquan Jamerson, soph., 5-10, PG, Daniel Russ, jr., 6-0, G-F, Deante Griggs, 5-8, G, Marqus Reis, 5-9, G, Jayden Reese, 5-11, G-F
Worth noting: Team captain Jones is a returning all-NLCC selection and the team’s lone returning starter. “Julian has put in a lot of work this offseason after being the leader of the team,” Hansa said. “He has improved his shooting, ball handling and defense.” Hansa said he likes his team’s grit and quickness. “We have a lot of tough athletes all around,” he said. “We have improved our shooting exponentially since the end of last season. We have a lot of speed on defense to throw different looks at teams to keep them on their heels.” Hansa said Jamerson is expected to be a starting guard and labels him one of the most talented two-way guards to come through Round Lake in a while. Powell, Hansa noted, is starting on the sophomore team but is expected to develop into an important offensive down the line if-when he gets called up later in the season. Round Lake has not won a NLCC game in 3 years. “Our goal is to end this slump,” Hansa said. “Last year we had a 3-way, almost 4-way conference tie, so it is going to be interesting how everything plays out.”
Stevenson Patriots
Coach: Will Benson (2nd season, 15th overall)
Last season’s record: 23-9, 10-4, tie third North Suburban, Class 4A sectional finalist
Top returning players: Aidan Bardic, 6-3, G, Rocco Pagliocca, 6-1, G, Atticus Richmond, 6-8, Donny Williams, 5-11, G, Logan Shrout, 5-11, G, Spencer Flynn, 6-1, G-F
Key newcomers: Aidan Albrecht, 6-0, G
Worth noting: Stevenson returns 3 starters in Bardic, Richmond and Pagliocca from last year’s team that reached a Class 4A sectional title game. Williams also started a handful of games. Bardic (14 points, 4 assists) was an all-NSC selection, as was Pagliocca (12 points, 37% 3s), while Richmond (11 points, 8 boards) was honorable mention all-NSC. “Hopefully, our strengths will be playing solid defense, rebounding and sharing the ball on offense,” Benson said. “Year two, obviously we are much farther along,” he said. “We have the ability to have different kids score on different nights if we play together. We could have some nice balance both from an individual scoring standpoint and scoring from inside the paint and behind the arc.” Benson sees an improved North Suburban slate. “I think everyone in our league will be better this year except Lake Zurich and that’s not Terry Coughlin’s fault since Anton (Strelnikov) transferred six weeks ago,” he explained. “You have to consider Warren the favorite as long as Jaxson Davis is around. We have a chance to compete for the top three or so but nothing will be easy this year. Even with Lake Zurich losing Anton, they still have kids who can play and their coaches will have them prepared and ready.”
Vernon Hills Cougars
Coach: Matt McCarty (22nd season)
Last season’s record: 16-15, 4-6, tie third Central Suburban North
Top returning players: Anthony Morgan, 6-5, sr., F, Brady Larsen, jr., 6-1, SG, Jeremy Zamost, jr., 5-10, PG, Daniel Odhiambo, jr., 6-6, C
Key newcomers: Tomasz Starr, sr. 6-4, F, Tyler Perritt, sr., 6-1, G
Worth noting: Morgan (8.3 points, 4.7 rebounds) has been a fulltime starter since his sophomore year, while Larsen (6.6 points, 44% from 3, 62 threes), Zamost (1.9 assists) and Odhiambo (5.9 points, 5.8 rebounds) played valuable minutes a year ago with spot starts for veteran coach McCarty. Starr and Perritt logged heavy JV minutes last year. Starr can play inside and out and brings versatility to the offense, while Perritt is extremely athletic and is fully healthy after being hobbled at the start of last season, McCarty noted. McCarty added the Vernon Hills junior class provides good depth. “Our practices have been very competitive and we are confident our bench can be a strength,” he said. “On defense, Daniel (Odhiambo) and Anthony (Morgan) are both very good rim protectors.” Odhiambo and Morgan combined to block 68 shots last year. McCarty said Niles North with all starters back should be the favorite in the North Division. Highland Park also is loaded with returning talent. “We are excited to compete with these two top teams and see where we stand,” McCarty said.
Wauconda Bulldogs
Coach: Ty Weidner (3rd season, 18th in the program)
Last season’s record: 16-15, 10-4, fourth Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Alex Ortega, jr., 5-10, PG, Cole Plucinski, jr., 6-0, SF, Nick Ori, jr., 6-3, PF, Austin Carlsen, soph., 6-6, SF-PF
Key newcomers: Tony Salemi, jr., 6-2, SG, Khalil Roberson, jr., 5-10, PG-SF, Leo Brinias, soph., 5-10, PG-SG
Worth noting: Wauconda lost its entire senior starting lineup from a year ago, but returns its entire bench. “Based on the summer and the first 10 days of practice, we are extremely unselfish and love to make the extra pass, which can make any high school team tough to defend,” Weidner said. “Our kids have accepted every challenge we have thrown at them.” Weidner said it’s possible Wauconda will have multiple kids who can score in double digits and can do so from different spots on the floor. “We can drive it, shoot it and finish with our backs to the basket,” he said. “We feel this will be the most balanced team we have had since I took over.” Defensively, the coach sees multiple players who can defend multiple positions and defend those positions very well. Weidner said keep a keen eye on junior Salemi. “Tony is hungry to show the NLCC what he is about,” he said. “He can score of the catch, he can put it on the deck, score in the post and plays above the rim. He’s exciting and is just touching the surface.” Ortega takes over the point guard position. “Alex can defend and is a willing passer who loves to get his teammates included,” Weidner said. Ori, a football standout, brings defensive versatility, Weidner noted. “He rebounds, gets steals and might have the best court vision on the team as our big,” he said. “His versatility will keep him on the floor as much as possible. He can defend 1-5.” Weidner feels Wauconda can be in the NLCC running like last year (1 game out of first, lost last 3 games by 2 points each). “It’s a matter of how quickly we can become consistent night in and night out,” he said. “Central, Grant and North are probably the ones who will get the most votes for preseason favorite, but I don’t think anyone should sleep on us or Antioch. It’s a fun conference to compete in with lots of parity. If you don’t show up and compete for four quarters, you will lose.”
Warren Township Blue Devils
Coach: Zack Ryan (3rd season)
Last season’s record: 31-5, 12-2, North Suburban co-champions; Class 4A sectional champion
Top returning players: Jaxson Davis, soph., Braylon Walker, jr., Javerion Banks, sr., Jack Wolf, sr.
Key newcomers: Zach Ausburn, 6-8, sr., C, Andrew Watson, 6-1, sr., G, Alexander Asare, 6-4, jr., F, Owen Squires, 6-2, sr., G
Worth noting: Warren won conference, regional and sectional titles all for the first time since 2012. Davis was named the Daily Herald Lake County All-Area captain as a freshman and earned Class 4A all-state first-team honors after averaging 19.4 points, 5.2 assists and 3.6 rebounds. Banks (all-NSC) averaged 11.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists, while Walker was at 5.0 points, 3.2 assists and 2.9 rebounds. Wolf, the team’s sixth man last year, averaged 6.3 points and 3.3 rebounds. Walker and Wolf were All-Area honorable-mention selections last season. Ryan said perimeter play will be a key asset for his team, particularly on defense, while the Blue Devils, he added, can score in a variety of ways. Ryan is looking for another tough sled through the North Suburban. “The conference is very deep and talented this year,” he said.