Boys lacrosse: Scouting Lake County

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLICCarmel CatholicCoach: Charley Dever

Key returning players: Seniors Riley Hickey (defender), John Moran (goalie), Brandon Espinosa (midfielder)

Other key players: Seniors Forrest Fay (attack), Kevin Hunt (defender), John Ivan (defender), Justin Winters (midfield); juniors Joseph Elert (midfield), Matthew Chernesky (attack), Cole Danner (attack/midfield), Sean Ruehl (midfield), Maxwell Hardin (midfield), Sam Catalanello (defender), Scott Gavin (defender), Jackson Galdoni (attack), Ryan Graunke (attack/midfield); sophomores Casey Roman (attack/midfield), Avery Bugaj (midfield), Brock Deardorff (midfield), Justin McKenna (defender)

Newcomers: Freshmen Nathan Graham (attack) and Matthew Malandrino (attack/midfield)

Outlook: Carmel looks for another great spring after finishing runner-up to South Elgin in the B-Class Lacrosse Cup a year ago. Hickey, Moran and Espinosa are returning All-ESCC honorees and anchor a team that boasts six seniors and nine juniors.

NORTH SUBURBANAntioch/Lakes co-opHead coach: Matt Larsen (second year)

Players to watch: Senior attacker and St. Leo University commit Gino Riforgiato; juniors Nate Langille (midfield), Matt Halperin (goalie), Salvatore Rouse (D-pole); sophomores Mac Ryan (attack), Jacob Magad (FOGO/midfield)

Outlook: Build it and they will come. Dist. 117, comprised of players from Lakes and Antioch high schools, returns 90 percent of its team that finished 4-11 last spring. Last season included a playoff victory in its first season as a team. "We are very young and very skilled for such young talent," Larsen said. "We have a very athletic and versatile defense all returning along with our goalie (Halperin), who had 140 saves in 15 games last year." There will be obvious growing pains, with 10 sophomores who simply need more varsity action. Last year, Dist. 117 had enough players to fill levels, whereas this spring the program has already grown to a freshman, JV and varsity squad. "We are excited to see improvement on this young team," added Larsen, whose guys are 2-1 in the early going. "It will be interesting to see this team compete with the best of them. We play some tough teams this year and want to improve on our five wins."

Grayslake CentralCoach: Chris Ridella (seventh year)

Key returning players: Seniors Zach Wichlin (attacker), Peter Brewster (attacker), Mitchell Burkart (midfield); sophomores Dillan Dumanlang (midfield), Dan Garcia (midfield), Ethan Boelens (defense), John Poprawski (defense)

Additional upperclassmen: Seniors Elias McGill (midfield), Zachary Mehrtens (midfield), Tanner Manley (midfield), Richard Kolodziej (midfield), Tim Husemoller (goalie), Tucker Tasker (defender), Dillon Sieler (midfield), Shane Jung (attacker); juniors Cole Polek (midfield), Jared Nicholas (midfield), Gavin Rinaldi (defender), Josh Akin (defender), Matthew Rubino (attacker), Resse Kinzig (goalie)

Outlook: The Rams are a young team but return plenty of experienced firepower. "We're young but return a lot of players with experience from last season," said Ridella, whose guys were 7-14 a year ago. "We are focused on getting our players to improve each day and learn how to read and react to different games situations." Wichlin and Brewster were selected honorable mention All-NSL last spring.

Grayslake NorthCoach: Brad Fish (11th year)

Last season: 19-3

Key players: Senior co-captain Matt Carr (faceoff/attackman) and co-captains Ryan Pineda (Sr., defenseman), and juniors Zach Carter (defender) and midfielder John Ocampo.

Additional pivotal players: Defensemen Jack Bielinski, Payton Taylor, keeper Ryan Sheehan

Key newcomers: Seniors Kyle Peterson, Corey Pech; juniors Michael Trabulsy, Tony Rodriguez, Aiden Vettraino, Kyle Bosshart; sophomores Tayo Oladumoye, Dominic Solano; freshman Nicholas Fish

Outlook: Despit losing several to graduation, Grayslake North looks to build on a terrific campaign from a year ago with Carr being one of the top players in the state. As a junior, he led the Knights after scoring 26 goals and dishing out 43 assists. "He was also a staggering 78 percent from the faceoff circle, putting him atop the state rankings in that position," Fish said. Carr was also named US Lacrosse High School All-American as a junior and will play for nationally ranked Marquette University.

Lake ZurichHead coach: Michael Sutton (second year)

Players to watch: Senior midfielder Cai Hadaway, senior defensemen Jackson Bohn; junior midfielder Zach Schwartz

Outlook: The Bears were 6-13 before losing in the first round of the playoffs to Glenbard West last spring. But a strong group of seniors are back, led by Detroit Mercy commit Hadaway. Sutton is hoping the leadership will help lead the a talented group of underclassmen. "Our strength will be our teamwork," he said. "Last year, we lost 6 games by 2 goals or less, so an area of improvement is closing out games. We know we have the talent to compete in the rigorous North Suburban League. Our attitudes and teamwork will allow us to contend for a conference title. Hadaway, Schwartz and Bohn were all named honorable mention All-NSL in 2017.

LibertyvilleCoach: Tyler Cauble

Key players lost: Attack Brian McAuliffe

Key returning players: Seniors Noah Payant (midfielder), Jake Debruller (midfielder), Jon Schlapper (midfielder); junior Matt Wagner (goalie)

Outlook: Libertyville is no stranger to success on the lacrosse field, having advanced to at least the state quarterfinals in three out of the last five seasons. Schlapper was named first team All-NSL ,while Payant, Debruller and Wagner were named honorable mention.

MundeleinCoach: Tim Moony (10th year, first at Mundelein)

Key returning players: Seniors Ryan Hill (attack), Nathan Cartland (midfield), Jorge Hernandez (attack); juniors Eli Daugs (midfield), Anthony Oleinik (defense); sophomore Cody Cornier (defense)

Outlook: Mundelein's lacrosse program turns 16 years old this spring and is coming off one of its strongest postseason runs. Many key players graduated, but according to the coach, "We're looking to reload with finishing and dodging at the attack position, as well as a well-facilitated offense. The source of stability for the team is the longpoles and defensive unit, and junior goalie Sal Perez-Garfias is gaining confidence and consistency every day." Moony also said the midfield lines include several multisport varsity athletes, who already have the raw athleticism, and are developing the precision and finesse of fine-tuning their stick skills and dodging abilities. Michael Pawlowski is the defensive captain, while Daugs and Cartland are midfield captains, and Ryan Hill serves as attack captain. In his first season, Moony hopes to establish a brotherhood from the top of the depth chart down to the bottom. "Building a new climate and culture isn't easy and doesn't happen right away," he said. "But these are great kids and they're buying into the program and we're already seeing some encouraging results."

StevensonCoach: Patrick Fitzgibbons (third year)

Last year: 10-9 overall, 4th in NSL, lost to Warren in 1st round of playoffs

Players to watch: Seniors Caleb Benoit-DiMaria (attackman), Chad Winter (goalie), Ryan Walsh (attackman), Austin Masters (midfield), Matt Komperda (defenseman); junior Cole Okmin (midfielder); sophomore Ben Niesman (midfielder); freshman Will Collins (defenseman)

Outlook: With an increased strength of schedule and number of contests (21 total) that includes games against 5 of the top-10 teams (per True Lacrosse), expectations are higher for the Pats this spring. With seven returning starters and continued development, Fitzgibbons expects to win at least 15 games for the first time since 2010. "Right now we're focused on our development and progress in the regular season." The Pats return their full starting attack, first line midfielders and goalie from a year ago. "We expect to be a potent offense that can control the game and score from multiple threats," added Fitzgibbons. After suffering a season-ending knee injury as a junior, Niesman returns as Stevenson's faceoff specialist. Inexperience on defense is a minor concern, with only two players back (Komperda and Nate Spina). Collins and Matt Benjamin help anchor the defense, which is still developing but showing some real talent. "The defense is still developing, though there is some real talent, including Collins and Matt Benjamin," coach added.

WarrenCoach: Greg Janczak

Key players lost: Jacob Lange (def. midfield), Brock McLaughlin (midfield), Andrew Van Landuyt (defensemen), Kale Bloomfield (defensemen), Ryan Vrabel (midfield)

Key returning players: Seniors Max Sobota (defenseman), Brett Wattleworth (attackman), Christian Dimaano (attackman), Devin Caesar (LS midfield), Ethan Nielander (midfield)

Outlook: Warren has experience returning with Sobota, Wattleworth, Dimaano, Caesar and Nielander all earning North Suburban all-conference team honors last spring.

CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTHVernon HillsCoach: Michael Curtin (fourth year)

Last year: 14-6 overall (3-5 CSL), lost in third round of Lacrosse Cup playoffs

Key returning players: Seniors Brandon Espinosa (defenseman), Chuck Newberg (goalie), David Geier (defenseman); juniors Jimmy McDonald (midfielder), Jake Olive (midfielder), Joey Levitan (attackman)

Outlook: Vernon Hills will rely on experience with 14 returning varsity players, many who have been two-year starters. The program has had its ups and downs since its inception in 2005, but that looks to change. "The current juniors were our first group of players to come out of the Vernon Hills youth program, so we have elevated our program to a new level," said Curtin. "We expect to further elevate our play after significant improvements over the last two seasons." The Cougars play a tough schedule against some of the state's best in New Trier, Glenbrook North, Evanston, Grayslake North, Barrington, Bartlett, Mundelein and Schaumburg. The addition of senior two-time All-ESCC player and transfer Brandon Espinosa will help anchor the defense. "A relentless, attacking playing style where we can wear down opponents is another strength," Curtin said. McDonald was an All-CSL second team honoree last year and returns for his senior campaign.