Boys bowling: Scouting Lake County

GrantCoach: Steven Smidl (second year)

House: Raymond's Bowl, Johnsburg

Top bowlers lost: Jake Hartzberg, Jake Lostroscio, Mitch Norris, Nishil Patel, Michael Payne, Jason Snider, Collin Stefanowski.

Top returning bowlers: Nathaniel Abernathy Sr., Noah Abernathy Jr.

Newcomers: Cody Hayes (jr.), Nathaniel Berrios (so.), Nick Bresen Fr., Justin Mitchell Fr., Rick Morphew Fr., Ryan Scimeca Fr.

Other bowlers: Tanner Wendt (jr.), Cory Dobson (jr.), Lucas Frola (jr.), Carter Klainos (jr.), Steven Palacios (jr.), Eric Tellez-Fiore (jr.), Brad Kretzschmar (so.), Jason Patel (so.)

Outlook: The Bulldogs lost many seniors to graduation and will have to rely on their underclassman to step up in their places. Nathaniel and Noah Abernathy look to be the team's top bowlers this season. "This team is much younger," Grant coach Steven Smidl said. "We continue to work on the simple mechanics to make them successful in practice, which hopefully can translate on the lanes for meets and tournaments. We expect some great things from our returning bowlers and we look to improve our team average by 15 pins by the end of the season."

Grayslake Central Coach: Bryan Dovichi (first year)

House: Brunswick Zone - Hawthorn Lanes, Vernon Hills

Top bowlers lost: Ryan Heavrin, Trent Miller, Dan Solis.

Top bowlers returning: Logan Enerson Jr, Austin Kowalski Jr, Greg Silverman (so.) Zach Reese (so.)

Newcomers: Javyn Stubbs (sr.)

Other bowlers: Ben Gurchak (jr.), Max Snowden (so.)

Outlook: Another season starts rolling for Grayslake Central with a new coach, Bryan Dovichi, a Carmel Catholic graduate. He brings some experience to a program ready to build for the future. "We're young, but now that we have a year under our belt, we're looking to improve in our overall scores and record from last year," Dovichi said. "Our focus for our new bowlers has been to educate them on the lanes. Whether it's learning the marks, oil patterns, break points, approach and posture. Each kid is starting to build that foundation."

Grayslake North Coach: Greg Geiger (second year)

House: Fairhaven Lanes, Mundelein

Top bowlers lost: Kyle Baker, Denzel Mitchem

Top returning bowlers: JD Pelegrino (sr.), JC Lyon (sr.), Roger Robinson (sr.), Josh Welsch (jr.),

Newcomers: Tommy Sadowski (sr.), Kyle Pryzbylski (so.)

Outlook: In its second year, Grayslake North's program will be trying to improve on last year. Several experienced seniors should help in thae regard. "Our performances should be good this year," Grayslake coach Greg Geiger said. "We've increased our tournaments to prepare for the state series. We hope to qualify a team out of the regionals this year instead of individuals. Our only goal is to be competitive in the state series and everything we do will be to that end."

Lake ZurichCoach: Michael Sutton (first year)

House: Brunswick Deer Park

Top bowlers lost: Donnie Gross, Ben Madura.

Top returning bowlers: Gary Boege (sr.), Tommy Keefe (sr.), Connor Kovanda (sr.), PJ Waul (sr.), Connor Kottke (jr.)

Newcomers: Billy Schroeder (fr.)

Outlook: Lake Zurich has a new coach leading them in Michael Sutton, who takes over for Peter Kupfer. But the expectations remain for the same at the high level of success. The Bears do have multiple seniors back this season, which should only help. "I expect the team to embrace the 'Team First' mentality," Sutton said. "In order to put the strongest effort out there when it matters most, the state tournament."

LibertyvilleCoach: Robert Sweno (third year)

House: Lakeside Lanes, Mundelein

Top bowlers lost: Duncan Hughes, Johnny Pletz, Alex Price, Dillion Ronne, Jimmy Smagacz.

Top returning bowlers: Spencer Baumruk (jr.), Nathan Campbell (jr.), Troy Sanchez (jr.), Danial Kaputa (so.)

Newcomers: Jacob Schuster (so.), Danny Chumra Fr., Cardell Dawson Fr., Henry Kolterman Fr., Jason Lenz Fr., Bryce Pinsel Fr.

Other bowlers: Anthony Campeau (jr.), Jason Giza (jr.), Jack Kosowski (jr.), Tyler Starr (jr.), Dante Vicini (jr.), Danial Kaputa (so.), Alex Ferriera (so.), Charlie Morris (so.)

Outlook: A program on the rise, Libertyville wants to keep headed in a winning direction. "This season. I'm looking to continue building on the recent successes of the team," Libertyville coach Robert Sweno said. "Though we had some quality bowlers graduate, we have a solid amount of returning bowlers with varsity experience. With the number of returners and some promising newcomers, we look again to be competitive in matches and continue to improve leading into the regionals. We have a team goal to qualify for the sectionals this season and will be putting in the work to do so."

StevensonCoach: Cody Mathias (first year)

House: Lakeside Lanes, Mundelein

Top bowlers lost: Michael Aranyi, Matt Poetker, Rafael Ridao.

Top returning bowlers: Ted Tapas (sr.), Eddie Mendrala (jr.), Josh Singer (jr.), Zach Singer (jr.),

Newcomers: Scott Yeojin (so.)

Outlook: Stevenson made history by reaching the state tournament last year for the first time in boys bowling. Since then, however, they graduated quite a few talented bowlers and Barry Lapping stepped down as coach. Cody Mathias has taken over the program this season and wants to extend the program's success. "I expect my athletes to work together and believe in themselves," Mathias said. "I want them to embrace the fact they're family and they will do anything to help their family succeed. To be successful on the lanes they just have to have confidence in themselves and their teammates. Not one person can win a match - it takes a team to win and they have to support each other to be successful."

Vernon HillsCoach: Ron Long (13th year)

House: Brunswick Zone Hawthorn Lanes , Vernon Hills

Top bowlers lost: Enrique Lamon

Top returning bowlers: Jamie Cervantes (sr.), Bradley Fisher (sr.), Evan Harris (sr.), Jacob Hollis (sr.), Alec Munro (sr.), Jacob Stern (sr.), Chris Winter (sr.) , Mac Vincent (jr.)

Newcomers: Adam Gates (jr.), Tyler Gonzalez Fr.

Outlook: Vernon Hills has another great shot of reaching state, something the Cougars seem to do each year. Plenty of overall experience and an abundance of seniors ought to help Vernon Hills to another memorable postseason run. "We're balanced and should compete for a state bid," Vernon Hills coach Ron Long said. "With the experienced upperclassmen, we will only get better as the season goes on."