Some early support for drug testing from coaches

When Antioch and Lakes High Schools enacted a mandatory drug-testing policy at the start of the 2005-06 school year, the effort was considered trailblazing.

Now, schools all over Illinois will be in the same boat. Sort of.

The IHSA announced last week that beginning next school year athletes participating in state tournament series will be tested for banned performance-enhancing substances, including over-the-counter supplements, at random.

The move seems to be widely supported among coaches and athletes throughout the Daily Herald's Lake County coverage area.

"I think it's a great idea. You just look at what's going on in pro sports and you realize that kids look up to those athletes and are probably thinking that they have to look just like that -- and unfortunately, they'll find ways to get it done," Grant boys basketball coach Phil Ralston said. "I don't think they always look at the potential harm they can do to their bodies."

Maybe there hasn't been the need for that kind of foresight.

Some coaches suggest there are drug problems in high school athletics beyond your typical street drugs and alcohol. But far more coaches, as well as some athletes, believe that the abuse of performance enhancers isn't a problem in the northern suburbs.

At least not a widespread problem.

"I think (testing) is a good idea," Libertyville junior center Jeremy Letchford said. "But I don't think that many people who are doing drugs are playing sports anyway. As far as I know, it's not a problem. I haven't heard of anyone in our school using them. I don't think (testing) would affect us (at Libertyville) at all."

Prevention might be the biggest benefit of a statewide drug-testing program.

The IHSA testing would encompass only the state tournaments, but out of this initiative more individual schools seem to be seriously exploring the possibility of testing athletes throughout the entire season.

Lake Zurich, which has formed a task force on the matter, is one of those schools.

"I know the private schools couldn't afford it because it's very costly," Carmel athletic director and head football coach Andy Bitto said. "But hopefully, just doing in for the state tournaments will still be a model for prevention. If it deters one kid from experimenting with something that can be so dangerous to him, I think it's probably a good thing.

"If it stops him from even thinking about it, it's worth it."

Town tilt: It may not have the same luster as last year's first-ever meeting between the two sister schools, but the town of Grayslake is still gearing up for Friday's battle between Grayslake Central and Grayslake North.

After all, the two schools used to be one. And the seniors on each team were once on the same freshman team together.

"It's still going to be an emotional, spirited game," Grayslake North coach Todd Grunloh said. The game will tip off at North at 7 p.m. "I think it's going to be a great atmosphere."

Three years ago, all of the freshmen in the district were housed on the North campus. North assistant coach Tim Hough coached the freshman boys team, which included all but one of the seniors who are now at each school

Ironically, Clay Henricksen, who happens to be one of North's best players, didn't make the team that year.

"All of those guys know each other," Grunloh said. "And almost all of them played together at some point. There's definitely that connection there that adds excitement."

But really, just the overall connection between the two schools is enough to stir the town.

"A lot of people have been talking about this game," said Grayslake Central coach Tim Bowen, whose team beat North twice last season and owns a 2-0 edge in the series. "The game won't be as humungous as last year, but it's important. It's a nice rivalry and I don't think you can say that there can ever be a favorite in this game. Everyone will be playing their very best."

Quick start: When Grayslake North coach Todd Grunloh decided to promote sophomore point guard Matt Pucher to the varsity after Christmas, his initial thought was to bring him around slowly.

That got thrown out the window quickly.

Pucher is now starting for the Knights.

"After two games, it was obvious that Matt needed to start so that we were putting our very best lineup on the floor," Grunloh said. "He is so scrappy and quick and he can score. But the thing I really like about him is that he doesn't really get flustered or rattled. He's really calm on the floor and he does a nice job of directing the offense."

In and out: In Warren's first game against Stevenson this season, head coach Chuck Ramsey subbed out all of his starters at one time -- mainly to get their attention.

He thought they were playing lethargically.

Many coaches have used that tactic.

Thing is, that substitution pattern, as well as the practice of using almost the entire bench, has become commonplace this season for the Blue Devils, who will visit Stevenson on Saturday.

"It's become a situation where I'm just looking for guys who are willing to give us what we need on a given night," Ramsey said. "And it seems like it's different people each time. When I look for who has it for us tonight, it varies. We aren't consistent enough where I can say that these specific guys deserve the most time every night because they'll get the job done night in and night out."

Ramsey has consistently used a nine and even ten-man rotation this season. It includes Brandon Paul, Aaron Montgomery, Eric Williams, Jason Warneke, David Duncan, Jake Anderson, Tayler Erbach, Scott Geske and James Poliquin.

But he says that he feels most comfortable with a seven-man rotation.

"For me, this isn't the ideal way," Ramsey said. "I've always had a consistent rotation of about seven players because I've felt that you do much better with consistency. The players have a better chemistry because they play more together.

"But what it really comes down to is that the players will determine if they play consistently by (performing) consistently. And we haven't had a lot of that."

Still, Warren is 10-6 and coming off a double overtime victory over Lake Forest, which is one of the better teams in the North Suburban Conference this season.

"We've won our last two games doing this," Ramsey said. "If this is what it takes to get things done, then this is what we do."

Literally benched: Some of Lakes' reserves have seen much more bench time than usual lately.

Injuries are the culprit.

Sophomore forward Marcell Kirkmanbey sprained his ankle and junior guard Mike Scott went down with a knee problem. Those injuries came in the wake of junior forward Justin Hotle having to sit out with an illness early in the season.

"They all haven't happened at the same time, but one right after the other and it's been tough because they all are important players for us. They all give us really good minutes," Lakes coach Brian Phelan said. "During the stretch where we won 12 games in a row, they all were doing a lot of good things. They've been a pleasant surprise."

Senior step-up: In between getting the kind of mind-blowing grades that have allowed him to make Duke and Northwestern his top two college choices, Stevenson guard Todd Siegel manages to play some real solid basketball.

"The guy gets amazing grades, like something like a 4.69 on a 4.0 scale," Stevenson coach Pat Ambrose said. "He's a great kid and he's been playing very well lately. He's given us a lot of quality minutes off the bench with really good ball-handling, shooting and defense."

In fact, in a win over Lake Zurich earlier this month, Siegel helped play such relentless defense on star guard Connor Mooney that Mooney took only five shots and yielded no points.

"Todd is just one of those kids who stuck with basketball and worked hard and did all the right things," Ambrose said. "And now it's paying off."

Senior step-up 2: On a team dominated by non-seniors, Lake Zurich senior Brandon Baum has managed to find a niche.

The 6-foot-4 forward has been a tough rebounder and defender for the Bears and has been playing some of his best basketball as of late.

"Against Lakes last week, he had his best game by far," Lake Zurich coach John Zarr said. "Brandon had 8 points and rebounded the ball very well. But it all starts with his defense. He's really done a good job there.

"I think Brandon kind of hears the clock ticking. He's a senior and I think he's just understanding what he needs to do."

Two-point land: Most perimeter players want to shoot more threes.

Grant guard Curtis Oler has volunteered to shoot fewer of them.

Last year, Oler made a living beyond the arc and averaged about six to seven attempts there per game. This year, he shoots one or two 3-pointers per game -- if that.

Thing is, Oler is having a much better year. He's averaging more points and is more of a threat within the offense.

Last year, Oler averaged about 8 points. He's up to about 12 points per game this season.

"Curtis has definitely transitioned from being the three-point specialist," Grant coach Phil Ralston said. "He's showing another aspect to his game."

This season, Oler has taken his game inside. He's driving to the basket more and trying to draw fouls.

"He's made it his mission to use his body and his size to be more physical," Ralston said of the 6-foot-3 Oler. "It's worked out great. He's the best free throw shooter on the team and he's going to the basket and drawing a lot of fouls.

"So few kids can consistently knock down the 3-point shot consistently, anyway. I'd rather have a guy like Curtis go to the basket and earn his 3 points the old-fashioned way while getting the other team in trouble at the same time."

Game of the week: Warren at Stevenson on Saturday (7:30 p.m.). Stevenson will attempt to beat perennial power Warren twice in one season for the first time in head coach Pat Ambrose's nine-year tenure.

Said Ambrose: "To beat Warren twice in one season would be quite a feeling. It would be a milestone for us."