dc prep-basketball-preview2012

2012-13 PREP BASKETBALL PREVIEW

2-FOR-12-FOR-1MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2012MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2012

CAN JARED MADDEN AND BERNIE CONLEY LEAD H-BR BASKETBALL TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT AFTER DOING SO IN SOCCER?

Bernie Conley

Jared Madden

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DATE OPPOnEnT TImENov. 13 vs. Harlem 7 p.m.

Waubonsie Valley TournamentNov. 19 vs. TBA 6:30 p.m.Nov. 20 vs. TBA 7:30 p.m.Nov. 23 vs. TBA 10 a.m.Nov. 24 vs. TBA 10 a.m.

Nov. 27 vs. Benet Academy 7 p.m.Nov. 30 at Yorkville* 5:30 p.m.Dec. 4 vs. Ottawa 7 p.m.

DATE OPPOnEnT TImEDec. 7 at Morris* 7 p.m.Dec. 8 at Whitney Young 7 p.m.Dec. 11 vs. Kaneland* 7 p.m.

naperville north / Benet TournamentDec. 13-22 TBA TBA

Dec. 18 at Kaneland* 7 p.m.Jan. 4 vs. Rochelle* 5:30 p.m.Jan. 5 at Montini 4:30 p.m.Jan. 15 vs. Yorkville* 7 p.m.

DATE OPPOnEnT TImEJan.18 vs. Morris* 7 p.m.Jan. 22 vs. United Township 7 p.m.Jan. 25 vs. Sycamore*^ 6 p.m.Jan. 29 vs. Streator 7 p.m.Feb. 2 at Rochelle* 4:30 p.m.Feb. 7 at Sycamore* 7 p.m.Feb. 9 at Geneseo 1:30 p.m.

*Northern Illinois Big 12 East game^ at NIU Convocation Center in DeKalb

dekalb barbs

Coach: Chris Davenport, first seasonLast season: 26-5, 10-0 Northern Illinois

Big 12 East; Northern Illinois Big 12 East champions

Postseason result: Lost, 48-30, to Bar-tlett in Class 4A Elgin Super-Sectional; won DeKalb Regional and McHenry Sectional titles

Key returners: Rachel Torres, sr., G; Courtney Patrick, sr., G; Courtney Bemis, jr., F

Impact newcomers: Brittney Patrick, fr., G; Jasmine Malloy, so., G; Alexis Hammond, jr., F; Jelly Garcia, jr, G; Jade Barber, jr., F

Outlook: After back-to-back Northern Illinois Big 12 East titles, the Barbs return a good amount of talent under first-year coach Chris Davenport. DeKalb made a deep postseason run last season and is ready to make a run at state this year.

DeKalb is preparing itself with a tough schedule. The Barbs will play defending Class 4A state champion Chicago Whitney Young and three-time defending Class 3A state champ Montini, not to mention tough 4A schools such as Wheaton Warrenville South and Geneva.

Davenport’s take: “Expectations across the board is to get to the state tournament, absolutely. Go a little bit further than we did last year, which, one game and we’re there.”

– Steve Nitz, [email protected]

SCOUTInG REPORT

SCHEDULE

Torres able to man any position asked of her

By STEVE [email protected]

DeKALB – First-year DeKalb girls basketball coach Chris Daven-port will put Rachel Torres any-where on defense.

Davenport easily could have the senior defend either the point or shooting guard, or the opposing wing. He’s not afraid to have her defend down in the post either.

“If absolutely necessary, she’s tough enough where she can make that adjustment,” said Davenport, who takes over the Barbs’ program after spending last season as an as-sistant under Ben Bates.

Last year, Torres recorded 6.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals a game for a DeKalb team that made a super-sectional appearance. Davenport said Torres, who has three years of varsity experience heading into 2012-13, will be able to make the adjustment to defending the post, if it’s necessary, because of her physicality.

“She’s strong physically. She’s strong mentally. She can get in and pound. She’s a physical guard when she defends on the perim-eter,” Davenport said. “So, physical contact is something she doesn’t have a problem doing. When you go to the post, you have to make contact, and she doesn’t have a problem doing it.”

While Torres will be key for Davenport on defense, she also is

coming off a season in which she averaged 10 points and 3.7 assists a game. This season, Torres will play primarily at the wing position.

Once again, she’s able to help the Barbs in multiple ways on the offensive end.

“She can handle the ball; I can have her bring it up the floor. She can do that,” Davenport said. “If I need her to go to the wing, she can do that. It’s definitely nice having somebody that can do multiple things.”

One aspect of her game Tor-res feels like she has improved is

making decisions with the ball on offense.

In the past, the coaching staff got on her about her decision-making, but Torres’ turnover total went down last year.

The 2012 Daily Chronicle first-team All-Area selection also said she now has become more of a lead-er after having spent three years on the varsity level already.

“Coming in as a freshman, I didn’t put as much pressure on my-self to do good,” Torres said. “Over these past four years, I’ve taken more of a leadership role.”

A do-it-all defenderRACHEL TORRESPROBABLE STARTInG FIVE

Courtney Patrick

madelyne Johnson

Brittney Patrick

Rachel Torres Courtney Bemis

Kyle Bursaw – [email protected]

DeKalb senior guard Rachel Torres takes a shot at practice Oct. 30 at DeKalb High School. Torres averaged 10 points, 3.7 assists, 6.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals a game last season during the Barbs’ run to a super-sectional appearance.

2012-13 PREP BASKETBALL PREVIEW | Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com

• Monday, Novem

ber 19, 2012 3DeKalb barbs

Coach: Dave Rohlman (eighth season, 102-108)

Last season: 13-17 (7-3 Northern Illinois Big 12 East), NI Big 12 East co-champions

Postseason result: Lost, 40-37, to Huntley in Class 4A Huntley Regional semifinal

Key returners: Jake Carpenter, sr., F; Andre Harris, sr., F; Jake Smith, sr., C; Zach Ottum, sr. G

Impact newcomers: Rudy Lopez, so., G;

SCOUTING REPORT

Dave Rohlman

JAKE CARPENTER


DeKALB – As a freshman, Jake Carpenter spent the postseason with DeKalb’s varsity squad, which won the Western Sun Conference and made it all the way to a sec-tional final.

During his short experience that March, he got to practice with veteran players such as Jordan Threloff, Dylan Donnelly and Pat Rourke. As a sophomore, Carpenter was a varsity player, and two years later the senior is using the valu-able experience he gained early in his career to become one of the Barbs’ top scorers, as well as a key defensive stopper.

“It helps a ton. Just all the expe-riences. Even dressing freshman year, you practiced with those guys every day,” Carpenter said. “Prac-ticing with better talent obviously makes you better as a player. That just really helped me tremendously to where I am now.”

This year, Carpenter will be a lot more than just a practice player, and he’ll be playing a full season. After tearing the posterior cruciate ligmanet in his knee during the 2011 football season, Carpenter wasn’t able to get any game action for the

basketball team until last January.As a senior, Carpenter will be

expected to use his long arms on defense, and get to the basket when the Barbs have the ball.

“I think his strength is how he gets up and down the floor, for a guy his size. We like to hit him on the wing on the break,” DeKalb coach Dave Rohlman said. “He’s really good at getting to the basket.”

As a wing, Carpenter said getting to the hoop is his main strength.

“It’s definitely my strong suit,

and definitely what [Rohlman]’s encouraged me to do, is drive to the basket more,” Carpenter said.

With Carpenter being one of the players who should carry the Barbs this season, Rohlman said his senior can rely on his experiences from the past three years.

“He’s been in those tough losses, those big wins,” Rohlman said. “I’m certainly believing that he’s going to want the basketball in those situ-ations when the game’s on the line as well.”

An experienced leaderAndre Harris Jake

CarpenterJake Smith

Rudy Lopez Patrick Aves

PROBABLE STARTERS

See SCOUTING THE BARBS, page 16


DeKalb’s Jake Carpenter hustles down the court during practice Nov. 7 in DeKalb.

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DEKALBBARBSSpirit Wear andLetterman Jackets Here!

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Andre HarrisDeKalb • Senior • Forward

8TERRIFIC 10 – THE AREA’S TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH

Rob Winner – [email protected]


• Monday, Novem

ber 19, 2012 5

DATE OPPOnEnT TImEAshton-Franklin Thanksgiving Tournament

Nov. 19 TBA TBANov. 20 TBA TBANov. 23 TBA TBANov. 24 TBA TBA

Nov. 29 at Keith Country Day 7 p.m.Nov. 30 vs. Westminster Christian 7 p.m.Dec. 7 vs. Earlville 6:45 p.m.Dec. 10 vs. Mooseheart 7:15 p.m.

DATE OPPOnEnT TImEDurand Holiday Classic

Dec. 13 TBA TBADec. 15 TBA TBA

Dec. 14 at Indian Creek 6:45 p.m.Jan. 7 at Milledgville 7 p.m.Jan. 8 vs. Harvard 7:15 p.m.Jan. 10 at Rockford Christian Life 7 p.m.Jan. 11 vs. Paw Paw 6:45 p.m.Jan. 15 at LaMoille 6:45 p.m.Jan. 22 vs. Hinckley-Big Rock 6:45 p.m.Jan. 24 at Christian Liberty Academy 6:30 p.m.

DATE OPPOnEnT TImEJan. 25 at Newark 6:45 p.m.

LTC Tournament (at Somonauk)Jan. 28 TBA TBA Jan. 29 TBA TBAJan. 31 TBA TBAFeb. 1 TBA TBA

Feb. 5 vs. Ashton-Franklin 7:10 p.m.Feb. 8 vs. Somonauk 6:45 p.m.Feb. 15 at Serena 6:45 p.m.

HIAWATHA HAWKS

Coach: Danny Klein (first season)Last season: 3-18 overall, 0-7 Little Ten

ConferencePostseason result: Lost to

Pearl City, 59-39, in Class 1A Eastland Regional quarterfinals

Key returners: Ed Canchola, sr., G/F; Dakotah Quimby, sr., F; Pancho Gar-cia, jr., G; Donald Giebel, sr.

Impact newcomers: Jordan Miles, jr.; Derek Ross, sr., F; Alex Flores, so.

Outlook: After another difficult season for Hiawatha in 2011-12, first-year coach Danny Klein takes over the program. It’s Klein’s first experience as a head basketball coach, but noted he has learned a lot as an assis-tant coach in Sycamore’s football program under the tutelage of Joe Ryan.

Hiawatha is struggling with numbers, but the Hawks received a boost when Derek Ross decided to play basketball during his senior year. Ross tore his ACL before last season and was unable to play as a junior.

Ross and Quimby provide some much-needed size and athleticism for Hiawatha, which will rely on a number of multi-sport athletes. Garcia will give the team more athleticism after splitting time between the sophomore and varsity squads last year.

There probably will be an adjustment pe-riod early on as Hiawatha adapts to Klein’s motion offense, and the LTC still is strong. But there should be definite improvement over last year’s three-win season.

Klein’s take: “From what I’ve been told, the past few years here it’s been rough for the boys program. So I’m trying to get it re-ener-gized, throw in this new offense at them.”– Ross Jacobson, [email protected]

SCOUTInG REPORT

SCHEDULE

ED CAnCHOLA

By ROSS [email protected]

Only two practices into the season, Hiawatha boys basketball coach Danny Klein had a pretty good vision of how he was going utilize Ed Canchola.

Klein called him “an energy guy,” someone he saw setting up in the post and on the wing.

“I think he’s pretty athletic ... could play multiple positions,” Klein said. “He’s very athletic and quick, and it seems like he could probably play some pretty good hard-nosed defense.”

Canchola, a senior and starting his second year on the varsity team, is exactly the type of player Klein

was looking for in his first year as coach at Hiawatha.

Hiawatha has had a rough stretch over the past six seasons and Klein is trying to re-energize the program. His offensive and defensive schemes are designed to take advantage of quickness and versatility, something this Hawks team has throughout its lineup.

Throughout the preseason, Klein was in the midst of installing a motion offense, involving a lot of movement, cuts and screens.

“If we can run it right, we can get some good looks off of it,” Canchola said. “We don’t really have size, so we like to move around, everyone has the ball and can react off what the defense is doing.”

On the defensive end, Klein emphasizes help defense, something he’d like to emulate from Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau’s system. Klein said he would try to press, but isn’t sure if the Hawks’ small roster will allow them to do so.

Like many of Hiawatha’s players, Canchola is a two-sport star. Cancho-la was part of the Hiawatha soccer team that lost in a regional final to Genoa-Kingston. And Klein’s hoping the same work ethic that resulted in good football and soccer records car-ries over into the winter season.

“I just want the kids in here just busting their butt, giving it their all,” Klein said. “That’s the main thing i’m really trying to establish here.”

‘An energy guy’

Dakotah Quimby

Ed Canchola Pancho Garcia

Derek Ross Alex Flores

PROBABLE STARTERS

Danny Klein

Hiawatha’s Ed Canchola grabs a rebound during a drill at practice nov. 6 in Kirkland.


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Dani ClarkHiawatha • Senior • Center



• Monday, Novem

ber 19, 2012 7hiawatha hawks

Coach: Franz Schumacher (second season)Last season: 17-12 overall, 6-3 Little Ten

ConferencePostseason result: Lost

to Aquin, 54-32, in Class 1A Eastland Sectional semi-finals; won South Beloit Regional championship.

Key returners: Dani Clark, sr., C; Ashley Tamraz, sr., G/F; Savannah Campbell,

sr.; Desiree Andujar; sr., GImpact newcomers: Alana Sterling, so.,

C; Lauren Watson, fr.; Madison Marshall, fr.

SCOUTING REPORT

Franz Schumacher

ASHLEY TAMRAZ


KIRKLAND – Franz Schumacher calls Ashley Tamraz part of Hia-watha’s “Dynamic Duo.”

Since seeing her play as a fresh-man, Schumacher knew big things would happen with Tamaraz and her graduating class.

“When I first walked into the gym and saw these girls out there, the two that stuck out were Ashley and Dani [Clark],” Schumacher said. “You go through the process and you’re watching certain drills and just the overall hustle of every-thing, but then as you start to see the athleticism, it basically stands out among certain players.”

Schumacher took over as the varsity coach last season and helped lead Hiawatha to its first ever regional title. A big reason for the Hawks’ success was Tamraz’s adaptability to different situations.

“I pretty much do whatever is needed,” Tamraz said. “If coach needs someone to step up and play a position, he comes to me usually. I usually play guard, but sometimes I have to play down low.”

Schumacher says Tamraz’s athleticism and defensive mentality

make her an obvious choice. “She is the best defensive player

on our team, there’s no doubt about it,” Schumacher said. “I’ve asked her numerous times in different scenarios: “I need you to learn two to three different positions.’

“I told her, ‘You might never play post, but you’re going to learn post because if something happens you’re my next person to go to.’ ”

At only 5-foot-6, Tamraz doesn’t mind battling down low for posi-

tion, something she might have to do a little more of this year.

“We lost a lot of height, but I think our goal is to do as much as we can with what we have,” Tamraz said. “We’ll run the floor because we’re pretty quick, all of us.”

And according to Schumacher, that suits Tamraz just fine.

“She has the leadership skills, the drive, the determination, the ever-willingness to hustle,” Schumacher said. “She’s the constant hustle kid.”

Dani Clark Ashley Tamraz

Savannah Campbell

Desiree Andujar

Alana Sterling

PROBABLE STARTERS

See SCOUTING THE HAWKS, page 27

‘The constant hustle kid’


Hiawatha’s Ashley Tamraz talks to coach Franz Schumacher during practice Oct. 29 in Kirkland.

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EW8 8TERRIFIC 10 – THE AREA’S TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH

Andrea StrohmaierGenoa-Kingston • Junior • Forward



• Monday, Novem

ber 19, 2012 9GENOA-KINGSTON COGS

Coach: Kyle Henkel (first season)Last season: 8-15 overall, 2-8 Big North-

ern Conference East Postseason result: Lost

to Byron, 54-35, in Class 2A Oregon Regional quarter-finals

Key returners: Dan-ielle Engel, sr., F; Andrea Strohmaier, jr., F; Shannon

Schumacher, sr., G; Tori Hensley, sr.; GImpact newcomers: Alanna Carroll, jr., G;

Katie Thurlby, jr., G; Courtney Winters, jr., COutlook: Henkel is looking to take the

SCOUTING REPORT

Kyle Henkel

DANIELLE ENGEL AND TORI HENSLEY


GENOA – As high-energy, hustle players, Danielle Engel and Tori Hensley were missing something during last year’s basketball season.

Enter first-year Genoa-Kingston coach Kyle Henkel, who has in-stilled a bit of youthful enthusiasm into the Cogs’ daily practices, ac-cording to the two seniors.

“We definitely think our new coach this year will help us more,” Hensley said. “He keeps us going, he pushes us more.”

With the graduation of Rachel Ellstrom, an All-Area honorable mention selection last season, both Engel and Hensley are being count-ed on to do a little more in 2012-13.

Henkel wants Engel to think more offensively, in addition to her defensive responsibilities that usually include shutting down the opposing team’s best player.

“Danielle is more of a defensive specialist, but this year we’re trying to get her to go to the bucket more as well,” Henkel said. “Have her use that athletic ability that she’s got.”

Hensley will be asked to step away from the basket more often after improving her jump shot from

last season.“Tori can play both inside and

outside, and she’s used to being more inside,” Henkel said. “She’s kind of developed a nice mid-range to outside jump shot, so we’d like to let her use that this year.”

Additionally, both Engel and Hensley are taking more of a leader-ship role as seniors. As multi-sport athletes – Engel also plays softball while Hensley plays volleyball and softball – they’re both used to set-ting an example and being vocal.

“If we’re up and the rest of the

seniors are up, it definitely shows those juniors, ‘Hey, I need to get in the game, I need to get working harder towards this,’ ” Engel said.

Last year was a struggle as G-K finished with an 8-15 record and lost in a regional quarterfinal. But with a couple returning starters, includ-ing junior Andrea Strohmaier, the Cogs have hopes of stopping a re-gional title streak that’s older than anyone on the roster.

“It’d be nice to get our name back on the board for regionals,” Hensley said. “We haven’t won it since 1989.”

Leading the turnaroundShannon

SchumacherAlanna Carroll Danielle Engel

Tori Hensley Andrea Strohmaier

PROBABLE STARTERS

See SCOUTING THE COGS, page 16


Genoa-Kingston’s Danielle Engel shoots during practice Oct. 29 in Genoa.

Tammy Engel & Amy Smith(815) 482-3726 & (815) 761-6933

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Coach: Cory Jenkins (11th season)Last season: 11-16 overall, 4-6 Big North-

ern ConferencePostseason result: Lost

to Northridge Prep, 57-42, in Class 2A Genoa-Kingston Regional quarterfinal

Key returners: Mason Lucca, Sr., PG; Adam Price, Sr., G; Eli Thurlby, Jr., F

Impact newcomer: Tommy Lucca, Fr., G Outlook: It was an up-and-down season

for G-K last year, a sleeper pick that couldn’t quite put it together. But the Cogs return a deep core of experienced players.

One question mark for G-K will be on the interior. The Cogs don’t possess a ton of height, but Jenkins doesn’t seem too concerned about it and said it hasn’t been a problem for smaller G-K teams in the past.

Jenkins has high expectations for Tommy Lucca, the younger brother of Mason Lucca. Only a freshman, Jenkins praised Tommy’s basketball IQ and called him a “difference-maker” for G-K.

Jenkins’ take: “We’ve always been able to defend well. We’ve always come up with schemes in the past and our kids buy in and they’ll play for one another.”

– Ross Jacobson, [email protected]

SCOUTING REPORT

Cory Jenkins

Mason Lucca Tommy Lucca Eli Thurlby

Adam Price Sal Lopez

PROBABLE STARTERS

GENOA-KINGStON COGS


GENOA – Mason Lucca imme-diately knew the punishment after missing his first attempt in a free-throw drill near the end of practice.

Along with a handful of other Genoa-Kingston basketball team-mates who experienced similar mis-fortune at the charity stripe, Lucca toed the sideline ready to sprint eight widths of the court, up and back.

An assistant coach’s whistle blew and everyone took off. Lucca was the only one sprinting while dribbling a basketball.

“That’s Mason,” G-K coach Corey Jenkins said. “He wants to improve

each part of his game every day. He wants to be the best player he can be.”

Now a senior, Lucca’s work ethic has him entering his third year on the varsity and is projected to be the start-ing point guard. He says his drive likely developed from years of back-yard games with his three brothers.

“I think a lot of it was just the competition, growing up through the years with my two older broth-ers and younger brother, just play-ing in the driveway,” Lucca said. “It was just cutthroat, so you just had to work hard all the time.”

Lucca was the Cogs’ primary ball-handler much of last year, his first in the starting lineup. But with an ex-perienced group back from last year

and the addition of a strong junior class along with Lucca’s younger brother, Tommy, Mason won’t have to shoulder as much this season.

“He’s our leader by example, and this year we want him to be a vocal leader for us,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins says Mason is one of his favorite kids in the school, and it’s easy to see why. The Cogs return four key members of last year’s team, but Lucca insists there still is work to do.

“We need to come to practice every day ready to play, same with games,” Lucca said. “Last year we had a couple games where we just didn’t have it some nights and we need to be more consistent with that.”

MASON LUCCA

Improving every day

SChEdULE

dATE OPPONENT TIMEOregon Tournament

Nov. 19-24 TBA TBA

Nov. 29 at Stillman Valley 7 p.m.Dec. 4 at Woodstock North 7 p.m.Dec. 11 at Rockford Christian 7 p.m.Dec. 13 at North Boone 7 p.m.Dec. 18 vs. Burlington Central 7 p.m.

dATE OPPONENT TIMEPlano holiday Classic

Dec. 22-29 TBA TBA

Jan. 5 at Indian Creek 6:45 p.m.Jan. 8 vs. Hinckley-Big Rock 7 p.m.Jan. 11 vs. Richmond-Burton 7 p.m.Jan. 15 at Marengo 7 p.m.Jan. 23 vs. Somonauk 7 p.m.

dATE OPPONENT TIMEJan. 25 vs. North Boone 7 p.m.Jan. 29 vs. Byron 7 p.m.Feb. 2 at Burlington Central 7 p.m.Feb. 5 vs. Marengo 7 p.m.Feb. 12 at Richmond-Burton 7 p.m.Feb. 15 vs. Rockford Christian 7 p.m.Feb. 19 at Harvard 7 p.m.


G-K’s Mason Lucca (right) tries to get around teammate Blake Munro and grab the ball during practice Nov. 5 in Genoa.


• Monday, Novem

ber 19, 2012 118TERRIFIC 10 – THE AREA’S TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH

Bernie ConleyHinckley-Big Rock • Senior • Guard


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Jared MaddenHinckley-Big Rock • Senior • Guard


• Monday, Novem

ber 19, 2012 13


HINCKLEY – When he began his basketball career, Hinckley-Big Rock senior Mitch Ruh did a lot of his work in the post.

As he got older, Ruh suddenly stopped growing, which forced him to develop into more of a guard. Ruh has played guard since his high school ca-reer at H-BR began, but his work down low isn’t done.

He still will guard the opposing team’s post player, depending on the situation, and will get the ball down in the paint, as well. This season, Ruh, who plays either at shooting guard or wing, will see more time in the post.

“I know I have it in me,” Ruh said. “But it doesn’t really bother me that much because I’m used to playing everywhere, and I just like the chance to play.”

It’s Ruh’s third year on varsity, working as a guard for a Royals team that has been playing together since grade school. He said he really started to get used to the position his junior season, but it never was too much of a problem making the adjustment.

Having someone who can bring the ball up the court, or play in the post isn’t common, especially in Class 1A.

“Probably pretty rare. I haven’t thought about it,” H-BR coach Bill Sam-brookes said. “He doesn’t play point all the time, but he’ll play a wing, he’ll shoot 3s, and he can get inside, he’s a good free-throw shooter.”

One of the main reasons Sambrookes wants to use Ruh in different ways is so the three-year varsity player can get to the free-throw line more often. Last sea-son, Ruh said his free-throw percentage was around 85 percent.

“That’s one thing we talked about this summer, we’ve got to get him to the line more often,” Sambrookes said. “He didn’t get to the line near enough last year with his touch.”

DATE OPPONENT TImESeneca Tournament

Nov. 19-24 TBA TBA

Nov. 30 at Leland-Earlville 7 p.m.Dec. 5 vs. Mooseheart 7 p.m.Dec. 7 vs. Somonauk 7 p.m.Dec. 11 at Kaneland 7 p.m.Dec. 13 at Stillman Valley 7 p.m.Dec. 15 vs. IMSA 6 p.m.

DATE OPPONENT TImEPlano Tournament

Dec. 22, 26-29 TBA TBA

Jan. 4 vs. Eastland 7 p.m.Jan. 8 at Genoa-Kingston 7 p.m.Jan. 11 vs. Newark 7 p.m.Jan. 15 vs. Indian Creek 7 p.m.Jan. 19 at Amboy 6 p.m.Jan. 22 at Hiawatha 7 p.m.

DATE OPPONENT TImEJan. 25 at LaMoille 7 p.m.

LTC TournamentJan. 29-Feb. 1 TBA TBA

Feb. 8 vs. Serena 7 p.m.Feb. 12 vs. Plano 7 p.m.Feb. 15 at Paw Paw 7 p.m.

hinckley-big rock royals

Coach: Bill Sambrookes (11th season, 164-117)

Last season: 24-7 overall, Little Ten Conference champions (8-0); Little Ten Conference tournament champions

Postseason result: Lost, 64-58, to Chicago Hope Academy in Class 1A Mooseheart Sectional semifinal; won Hinckley-Big Rock Regional title

Key returners: Zach Michels, sr., C; Bernie Conley, sr., G; Jared Madden, sr., G; Mitch Hemesath, jr., F; Mitch Rue, sr., F

Impact newcomers: Jacob Ryan, jr. G; Tom Sanders, jr., G; Andy Van Landnyt, jr., F; Tyler Runge, jr., F

Outlook: The Royals return a lot of talent from last year’s team, which won Little Ten Conference regular-season and tournament championships before capturing a regional title in the postseason. This season, H-BR is looking to go further.

Sambrookes’ team returns all five starters from last season, and every player in the starting lineup is in his third year of varsity competition.

Sambrookes’ take: “I think if the kids work hard, keep focused and stay away from all the other stuff people are going to get in their ears about, I think we can have a pretty successful year.”


SCOUTING REPORT

Bill Sambrookes

SCHEDULE

mITCH RUH

He can go inside or outZach michels mitch

HemesathBernie Conley

mitch Ruh Jared madden

PROBABLE STARTERS


Hinckley-Big Rock’s mitch Ruh participates in a dribbling drill during practice Nov. 7 in Hinckley.

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Ashley ProstKaneland • Senior • Forward



• Monday, Novem

ber 19, 2012 15

By STEVE [email protected]’

HINCKLEY – Last season, Hinck-ley-Big Rock forward Abbie Tosch was stuck in the shadow of Kaitlin Phillips and Katie Hollis.

In 2011-12, Phillips was the Royals’ go-to scorer, earning Daily Chronicle Player of the Year honors while averaging 17.5 points per game. Katie Hollis was the Royals’ second offensive threat, and the player H-BR really tried to get the ball to down in the post.

This season, H-BR, a program coming off six consecutive regional championships, is in a transition year, and Tosch is facing a change

herself.A year ago, she was focused on

playing defense and getting the ball to the Royals’ two stars. This sea-son, Tosch is going to have to worry about getting some baskets herself for a young H-BR squad. She’ll also be focused on getting the ball to her teammates, as she did a year ago.

“I think I’m going to have to score some big points,” Tosch said. “Work on that, stay focused.”

Playing defense wasn’t a prob-lem for Tosch last season. Royals coach Greg Burks said there were times last year when he would put Tosch up against the opponent’s best post player, and H-BR’s fifth-year coach said the forward did an

“admirable” job. This year, Tosch will be counted

on defensively once again while being one of the team’s offensive weapons.

Burks said the year of experi-ence on the varsity will help Tosch during her senior campaign.

“For her, it’s kind of just a year older, or year more mature, type thing,” Burks said. “You see that every team deals with that in every sport, you get players that mature as they come through the ranks. ... That’s what every team does every year. They have players that had one role the year before, and now step into a differ-ent role.”

DATE OPPONENT TImENov. 12 vs. Sandwich* 7 p.m.Nov. 14 vs. Westminster Christian* 5:30 p.m.Nov. 15 vs. Wheaton Academy* 7 p.m.Nov. 16 vs. Aurora Central Catholic* 5:30 p.m.Nov. 26 vs. Rosary 7 p.m.Nov. 29 vs. Earlville-Leland 7 p.m.Dec. 3 at Somonauk 7 p.m.Dec. 6 at Byron 7:15 p.m.Dec. 8 at Stillman Valley 3:30 p.m.

DATE OPPONENT TImEDec. 10 vs. Hiawatha 7 p.m.Dec. 13 at Indian Creek 7 p.m.Dec. 19 at Marquette 7 p.m.Dec. 27 TBA^ TBADec. 28 TBA^ TBADec. 29 TBA^ TBAJan. 3 at Newark 7 p.m.Jan. 5 at Seneca 6 p.m.Jan. 7 vs. LaMoille 7 p.m.

DATE OPPONENT TImEJan. 10 at Serena 7 p.m.Jan. 14 TBA# TBAJan. 15 TBA# TBAJan. 17 TBA# TBAJan. 18 TBA# TBAJan. 22 vs. Lisle 7 p.m.Jan. 24 vs. Paw Paw 7 p.m.Jan. 29 vs. St. Edward 7 p.m.Feb. 2 vs. Lena-Winslow 4:30 p.m.

hinckley-big rock royals

Coach: Greg Burks (5th season, 114-17)Last season’s record: 22-8 overall, 7-1

Little Ten Conference; LTC co-champions

Postseason result: Lost, 53-32, to Annawan in Class 1A Varna Sectional semifinal; won Indian Creek Regional title.

Key returning play-ers: Lauren Paver, jr., G; Abbie Tosch, sr., F; Jacqueline Madden, so., G; Bridgette Edmeier, sr., F; Karrigan Cowan, so., F

Impact newcomers: Andrea Binkley, jr., G; Caitlin Flanigan, jr., G;, Anne Klein, so., G

Outlook: H-BR enters the 2012-13 sea-son coming off six consecutive regional championships. However, this year’s team returns just two starters, and loses two-time Daily Chronicle Player of the Year Kaitlin Phillips and two-time All-Area selection Katie Hollis.

Burks said his team should be strong de-fensively. Right now, the Royals’ question mark is being able to score.

Burks’ take: “The nice thing is, of the eight players on the roster, I’m confident to play everybody. We can play everybody and we will play everybody.”


SCOUTING REPORT

Greg Burks

PROBABLE STARTERS

*– at Lady Bobcat tournament, Somonauk; ^–at Prophetstown tournament; #–at Little Ten tournament, Serena

SCHEDULE

ABBIE TOSCH

Rebooting with ToschKyle Bursaw – [email protected]

Hinckley-Big Rock’s Abbie Tosch prepares to shoot at practice on Oct. 31

Karrigan Cowan

Jacqueline madden

Bridgette Edmeier

Lauren Paver

Abbie Tosch

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SYCAMORESPARTANSpirit Wear andLetterman Jackets Here!

DATE OPPOnEnT TImELaSalle-Peru Tournament

Nov. 20 vs. LaSalle-Peru 7:30 p.m.Nov. 21 vs. Rochelle 6 p.m.Nov. 23 vs. Dunlap 4:30 p.m.Nov. 23 vs. Glenwood 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 30 at Yorkville 7 p.m.Dec. 1 vs. Peoria Richwoods 6:30 p.m.Dec. 8 at Morris 7 p.m.Dec. 14 vs. Kaneland 7 p.m.Dec. 15 at Dundee-Crown 6 p.m.

Chuck Dayton TournamentDec. 20-22, 26-28 TBA TBA

DATE OPPOnEnT TImEJan. 4 vs. Rochelle 7 p.m.Jan. 8 vs. Dixon 7 p.m.Jan. 12 vs. Morris 6:30 p.m.

Hononegah InviteJan. 19, 21 TBA TBA

Jan. 25 vs. Sycamore* 8 p.m.Feb. 2 at Rochelle 6 p.m.Feb. 5 at Elgin 7:15 p.m.Feb. 8 at Kaneland 7 p.m.Feb. 12 at LaSalle-Peru 7 p.m.Feb. 15 vs. Yorkville 7 p.m.Feb. 16 at Streator 6 p.m.Feb. 22 at Sycamore 7 p.m.

*-At the NIU Convocation Center in DeKalb

Patrick Aves,Jr., GOutlook: The Barbs will have

to work hard to replace point guard Brian Sisler, the 2012 Daily Chronicle Player of the Year, but Rohlman does have two players who can handle the ball in Lopez and Aves.

DeKalb has good depth throughout the entire program this season. At the varsity level, Rohlman plans to have a rota-tion of 10 players.

Rohlman’s take: “I would say the one thing I’ve noticed already, is these guys are willing to play defense. They want to play defense.”


• scouting the barbsContinued from page 3

DeKaLb boYs scouting rePort

barbs scheduLeDATE OPPOnEnT TImE

Harvard TournamentNov. 14 TBA TBANov. 15 TBA TBANov. 16 TBA TBANov. 17 TBA TBA

Nov. 27 at Stillman Valley 7 p.m.Nov. 30 vs. Harvard 7 p.m.Dec. 1 vs. Burlington Central 2:30 p.m.Dec. 4 at North Boone 7 p.m.Dec. 6 at Marengo 7 p.m.

Pecatonica TournamentDec. 10 TBA TBADec. 11 TBA TBADec. 12 TBA TBA

DATE OPPOnEnT TImEDec. 13 TBA TBADec. 14 TBA TBA

Dec. 17 vs. Rockford Christian Life 7 p.m.Dec. 20 at Somonauk 7 p.m.Jan. 4 vs. Richmond-Burton 7 p.m.Jan. 5 at Indian Creek 6:30 p.m.Jan. 8 at Rockford Christian 7 p.m.Jan. 10 vs. Sycamore 7 p.m.Jan. 15 vs. North Boone 7 p.m.Jan. 18 at Burlington Central 7 p.m.Jan. 22 vs. Marengo 7 p.m.Jan. 24 at Winnebago 7 p.m.Jan. 29 at Richmond-Burton 7 p.m.Feb. 1 vs. Rockford Christian 7 p.m.Feb. 7 at Harvard 7 p.m.

program in a positive direction and inherits a mix of young and experienced players.

Defensively, G-K will play mostly man-to-man, but could mix in some zone and full-court pressure. On the other end of the floor, Henkel is installing a motion offense and would like to get the ball in the post to Strohmaier on a consistent

basis. That was a positive for G-K last season as Strohmaier was an All-Area Honorable Mention pick as a sophomore.

Henkel’s take: “The program really has not been the greatest lately, but we’re really looking for progression throughout the year. Get the girls to realize that we do have talent on this team, go out there with a positive at-titude and get better each day.”


• scouting the g-K girLsContinued from page 9

genoa-Kingston girLs scouting rePort

cogs girLs scheduLe


DeKalb’s Andre Harris dunks during practice nov. 7 in DeKalb.

genoa-Kingston’s Andrea Strohm-aier signals as she makes a cut past coach Kyle Henkel during practice oct. 29 in genoa.



• Monday, Novem

ber 19, 2012 17

Rachel TorresDeKalb • Senior • Guard

8TERRIFIC 10 – THE AREA’S TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH


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Bailey GilbertSycamore • Sophomore • Guard



• Monday, Novem

ber 19, 2012 19sycamore spartans

Coach: Brett Goff (second season, 12-15)Last season: 12-15 overall, 2-8 Northern

Illinois Big 12 EastPostseason result: Lost

to Sterling, 51-23, in Class 3A Rochelle Regional semifinal

Key returners: Jessica Mollman, Sr., F; Julia Moll, Jr. G; Bailey Gilbert, So., G

Impact newcomers: Baylee Foresman, Jr., F; Paige Wogen, So. G; Jenee Carlson, So., G; Kayley Aase, Fr. C; Lauren Goff, Fr. G

Outlook: Sycamore returns an inexperienced

SCOUTING REPORT

Brett Goff


SYCAMORE – Jessica Mollman always had been a post player.

As one of the taller girls through-out elementary school and middle school, Mollman developed an affin-ity for playing inside.

Then Mollman stopped growing, and other girls passed her up in height. At 5-foot-6, Mollman main-tained the same skill set, but the perspective is different in high school.

“I still have the post instincts, so sometimes getting rebounds and box-ing people out is difficult,” Mollman said. “But it’s a good challenge.”

Along with sophomore Bailey Gil-bert, Mollman is one of only two re-turning players who played valuable minutes for Sycamore last season.

Mollman is slotted as the start-ing power forward for the Spartans and will see more minutes this year after being a role player off the bench in 2011-12.

Sycamore coach Brett Goff plans to use Mollman in a variety of ways because of a couple improvements to her game. An improved mid-range jumper and ball-handling abilities should draw opponents’ post players away from the basket, opening up driving lanes for Syca-

more’s perimeter players. “She can hit the 15-foot jump shot.

She can put the ball on the floor when she needs to,” Goff said. “She gives the coaching staff a nice alter-native in mixing up the game a little bit and creating some mismatches.”

Goff said Mollman’s coming out party last year was at the Rockford Harlem Tournament. She came off the bench to score 10 points against Belvidere in a 54-32 win.

“Right after that you could see the confidence in her grow,” Goff said. “We could put a little more trust into her, give her some more minutes.”

Now as a senior and in her second year on varsity, Mollman expects to be ready from the start.

“It was a little [difficult] because the pace of the game was so much different,” Mollman said. “I think this year will be good because I have a feel for it.”

Julia Moll Bailey Gilbert Paige Wogen

Baylee Foresman

Jessica Mollman

PROBABLE STARTERS

See SCOUTING THE SPARTANS, page 27

JESSICA MOLLMAN

Creating mismatches


Jessica Mollman (left) guards teammate Julia Moll during practice Nov. 1 in Sycamore.

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DATE OPPOnEnT TImELeland G. Strombom Holiday Tournament

Nov. 19-21, 23-24 TBA TBA

Nov. 27 at Byron 7 p.m.Nov. 30 at Rochelle 7 p.m.Dec. 8 vs. Kaneland 6 p.m.Dec. 14 vs. Yorkville 7 p.m.Dec. 15 at Glenbard South 7 p.m.

DATE OPPOnEnT TImEEG nichols Tournament


Jan. 4 vs. Morris 7 p.m.Jan. 5 at Rock Falls 8:30 p.m.Jan. 11 vs. Burlington Central 7 p.m.Jan. 19 at Dixon 6 p.m.Jan. 22 at Kaneland 7 p.m.Jan. 25 at DeKalb# 8 p.m.

DATE OPPOnEnT TImEJan. 26 at Ottawa 6 p.mJan. 29 vs. IMSA 7 p.m.Feb. 1 at Morris 7 p.m.Feb. 5 at Sterling 7 p.m.Feb. 8 at Yorkville 7 p.m.Feb. 15 vs. Rochelle 7 p.m.Feb. 22 vs. DeKalb 7 p.m.

#–at NIU Convocation Center

SYCAMORE SPARTANS

SCHEDULE

Sycamore senior moves into starter’s role this season


For Kyle Buzzard, the word “pest” is a term of endearment.

Used by Sycamore boys bas-ketball coach Andrew Stacy to describe his senior guard’s style of play, the word refers to the constant defensive pressure and energy Buzzard brings to the court.

“I like that. I kind of play with a chip on my shoulder, I guess. I don’t know why,” Buzzard said. “Just because I’m smaller than most. I like being that guy, it’s fun.”

New to the varsity team last year as a junior, Buzzard started in a reserve role, but was inserted into the starting lineup near the end of the season. Although the Spartans finished with a 9-20 record, Buzzard’s increased role coincided with a small winning streak at the end of the season.

This season, Buzzard will be a starter and again will be depended on to get the game into a more up-tempo style.

“We’re really going to count on him being a pest defensively, making us go with the press and applying pressure to the other teams’ point guards and perimeter players,” Stacy said. “Both him and his [twin brother Curt] out there together wreak a little bit of havoc out there and ... allow us to feed off our defense, which is some-thing we want to try to do a little more this year.”

Buzzard admitted he wasn’t a confident offensive player last season. He spent a lot of the off-season in the gym, working with The Gun, a basketball shooting machine that allows players to attempt more shots in a shorter time.

“I’ve tried to work on [my shoot-ing], trying to make some more 3s than last year,” Buzzard said. “My ball-handling, needed to get better at that, too.”

Sycamore returns an expe-

rienced group this season, and one that is familiar with Stacy’s coaching style in his second season as the Spartans’ coach. Buzzard hopes different results will follow as he continues to bring the same energy.

“It’s hard to switch one whole system to another,” Buzzard said. “We switched plays and every-thing, but so far it’s been a good transition. Last year was kind of a building year, but hopefully this year it’ll be different.”

Providing the sparkKYLE BUZZARD

Coach: Andrew Stacy (second season)Last season: 9-20, 2-10 Northern Illinois

Big 12Postseason result: Lost

to Kaneland, 55-45, in Class 3A Rochelle Regional semifinal

Key returners: Devin Mottet, jr., G/F; Scott Nel-son, sr., C; David Compher,

sr.; Kyle Buzzard, sr., G; Curt Buzzard, sr.Impact newcomers: Nick Feuerbach, jr.;

Jake Winters, jr.; Ben Niemann, jr.; Mark Skelley, jr.; Logan Wright, jr.

Outlook: The 2011-12 season was a transi-tion year for Sycamore as the Spartans adjusted to a new coach and a relatively inexperienced group at the varsity level.

But expectations will rise for Sycamore this year with the Spartans returning five of their top eight players from last season. That includes junior wing Devin Mottet, who was Sycamore’s leading scorer as a sophomore and named All-Area honorable mention.

Sycamore will add a number of talented juniors. Skelley transferred to Sycamore from outside the area and Niemann spent last year on the sophomore team.

Buzzard said the team is more comfort-able with Stacy in his second season and is expecting a big jump from last year.

Stacy’s take: “They are very excited about the season, and so am I. They know what to expect, and I’m certainly hoping that turns into some wins and success on the floor.”


SCOUTInG REPORT

Devin mottetand David Compher

photographs were not available.

Kyle Buzzard

Curt Buzzard Scott nelson

PROBABLE STARTERS

Andrew Stacy


Sycamore’s Curt (left) and Kyle Buzzard make their way back down the court after practicing a defensive drill on nov. 5 in Sycamore.


• Monday, Novem


Devin MottetSycamore • Junior • Guard/Forward


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DATE OPPOnEnT TImEImmaculate Conception Tournament

Nov. 17, 19-20, 23-24 TBA TBA

Nov. 30 at Morris 7 p.m.Dec. 6 vs. Sycamore 7 p.m.Dec. 11 at DeKalb 7 p.m.Dec. 13 at Antioch 7 p.m.

DATE OPPOnEnT TImEOttawa Tournament


Dec. 18 vs. DeKalb 7 p.m.Jan. 4 vs. Yorkville 4 p.m.Jan. 5 vs. Burlington Central 4 p.m.Jan. 8 vs. Rochelle 7 p.m.Jan. 12 at Ottawa 2:30 p.m.

DATE OPPOnEnT TImEJan. 15 vs. Morris 7 p.m.Jan. 18 at Sycamore 7 p.m.Jan. 19 vs. LaSalle-Peru 6 p.m.Jan. 26 vs. Sterling 4 p.m.Feb. 1 at Yorkville 6 p.m.Feb. 2 at IMSA 1:30 p.m.Feb. 5 at Marengo 7 p.m.Feb. 7 at Rochelle 7 p.m.

KANELAND KNIGHTS

Coach: Ernie Colombe, (sixth season, 62-98)

Last season: 20-10, 7-3 Northern Illinois Big 12 East (second place)

Postseason result: Lost, 43-31, to Belvidere North in the Class 3A Sycamore Sectional final

Key returners: Emma Bradford, sr., F; Lexee Guerra, sr., PG; Ashley Prost, sr., F; Allyson O’Herron, sr., G

Impact newcomers: Caroline Heimerding-er, jr., G; Ally VanBogaert, so., C; Vanessa Gould, fr., F

Outlook: The Knights looked on as Belvidere North celebrated their 43-31 Class 3A Sectional final win over Kaneland and saw possibilities for the 2012-13 season. Kaneland brings back several contributors, including four seniors who will bolster their starting lineup. They knew at that point they’d have a chance to make a deep run this season.

It won’t be an easy road for Kaneland to dethrone DeKalb, but Colombe said his team has the depth to hang with anyone in the NI Big 12 East.

Colombe’s take: “I think we’re even more versatile now in terms of the lineups we can run out there. We were deep last year; I think we’re deeper this year. … Our confer-ence is really tough in girls basketball and we’re going to have a tough schedule, but we’re going to have to compete night in and night out.”– Anthony Zilis, [email protected]

SCOUTInG REPORT

Ernie Colombe

SCHEDULE

EmmA BRADFORD

Senior can play point guard and on low block

By AnTHOnY [email protected]

MAPLE PARK – Year by year, Kaneland senior Emma Bradford started moving away from the basket.

When the four-year varsity player was younger, she was one of the tallest girls on the court. Then, Bradford stopped growing and kids around her sprouted up, but she developed her low-post skills so much that she still played down low as a freshman.

“We started moving her little by little,” Kaneland coach Ernie Colombe said. “As a freshman, she played the 4 (position). Towards the end of her freshman year, we played her at 3. Then as a sophomore, she played the 4 and 3. As a junior, she’s played the 4, 3 and the 2.”

This season, Bradford might even bring the ball up the floor every so often, and she mostly will play as a guard who slashes to the basket.

That experience on the low block has helped Bradford develop into an all-around player as her perimeter game has improved over the years.

“I know how the posts feel and when they have the ball, and when they want me to pass it to them,” she said. “It really helped me on offense and on defense. It taught me to body up and push the bigger

girls, but once I got to high school I had to move my feet.”

Her ability to play different posi-tions will help the Knights shift into different styles of play throughout the season, when they’ll try to best last season’s run to the sectional championship game.

Bradford is a unique player on the Kaneland roster who can get to the basket and draw fouls. That ability will be crucial as the Knights try to dethrone defending Northern Illinois Big 12 Conference East champion DeKalb.

“I don’t really feel like I have a distinct position,” Bradford said. “I know that I have to be a guard, but I like to take it down in the post and use my moves down there. Some-times, I don’t know what to do until I get there, and I see an open spot and I take it.”

Emma Bradford

Sarah Grams Ashley Prost

AllysonO’Herron

Lexee Guerra

PROBABLE STARTERS

Expanding her roleKyle Bursaw – [email protected]

Kaneland senior Emma Bradford waits for her turn in a drill during practice Oct. 30 at Kaneland High School in maple Park.


• Monday, Novem

ber 19, 2012 23KANELAND KNIGHTS

Coach: Brian Johnson (fourth season, 51-30)

Last season: 17-11, 5-5 Northern Illinois Big 12 East (third place)

Postseason result: Lost to Rockford East, 66-54, in the Class 3A Sycamore Sectional semifinal

Key returners: Drew David, jr., PG; Dan Miller, sr., G/F; Matt Limbrunner, sr., F

Impact newcomers: Tyler Carlson, jr.; John Pruett, jr.; Cole Carlson, jr.

Outlook: The Knights will be thin this year after losing four starters, including gradu-ated seniors Trever and Tyler Heinle and Marcel Neil, along with junior Thomas Wil-liams, who moved to Texas. But the Knights do have some experience returning, with David running the point and seniors Miller and Limbrunner coming back after being key contributors last year.

It will be tough for Kaneland to challenge for the conference title without depth, and they’ll need juniors Tyler Carlson, Cole Carl-son and Pruett to step up to have a chance of having another successful season.

Johnson’s take: “We just want to go out and play our game, which hopefully is hard-nosed defense and take care of the basket-ball, making teams work on both ends of the floor.”– Anthony Zilis, [email protected]

SCOUTING REPORT

Brian Johnson

Drew David Tyler Carlson John Pruett

Dan Miller Matt Limbrunner

PROBABLE STARTERS

DATE OPPONENT TIMEBatavia Windmill Classic

Nov. 21, 23-24 TBA TBA

Nov. 30 vs. Morris 7 p.m.Dec. 8 at Sycamore 6 p.m.Dec. 11 vs. Hinckley-Big Rock 7 p.m.Dec. 14 at DeKalb 7 p.m.

Plano TournamentDec. 22, 26-29 TBA TBA

DATE OPPONENT TIMEJan. 4 vs. Yorkville 5:30 p.m.Jan. 5 vs. Burlington Central 5:30 p.m.Jan. 10 vs. Rochelle 7 p.m.Jan. 19 at LaSalle-Peru 6:30 p.m.Jan. 22 vs. Sycamore 7 p.m.Jan. 26 vs. Sterling 5:30 p.m.Feb. 1 at Yorkville 7:30 p.m.Feb. 5 vs. West Chicago 7 p.m.Feb. 8 vs. DeKalb 7 p.m.

DATE OPPONENT TIMEWheaton Academy Shootout

Feb. 9 TBA 6 p.m.

Feb. 12 at St. Charles North 7:15 p.m.Feb. 15 at Morris 7 p.m.Feb. 16 at Dixon 6 p.m.Feb. 22 at Rochelle 7 p.m.

SCHEDULE

DAN MILLER

By ANTHONY [email protected]

MAPLE PARK – Dan Miller al-most always played guard in his ear-ly basketball days, and the Kaneland senior learned the ropes of playing point guard and defending on the perimeter at the high school level throughout his freshman year.

Now, his role is different, but he still uses that experience to his benefit.

Miller will play every position at one point or another for Kaneland this year, and coach Brian Johnson expects him to be a menace on the

defensive side of the floor.“Dan is kind of a do-it-all guy,”

Johnson said. “More times than not, we’ll put him on the best of-fensive player. It could be a 6-foot-4 post player and 5-foot-8 point guard, … he’s versatile. We’ll play him inside-out. He really has a chance to change his game and step up into a bigger role than last year.”

The Knights will need that in-creased production this season after losing four starters, including gradu-ated seniors Marcel Neil, Trever Heinle and Tyler Heinle and junior Thomas Williams, who moved to Texas at the beginning of the year.

For a team light on experience, Miller’s extended time on the floor last season will be of great value to the Knights.

“We’re kind of short on guys, so everyone needs to step it up on offense and contribute a lot more than we did last year,” Miller said.

It also will be crucial for play-ers to be able to play a vast array of positions on a thin team.

Miller has no problem with that.“It’s fun to mix things up a little

bit and see different types of posi-tions, so I enjoy it,” Miller said. “If we need someone to play a position, I’d be happy to play any position.”

A ‘do-it-all guy’Kyle Bursaw – [email protected]

Kaneland’s Dan Miller comes off a screen while working on an offensive drill during practice Nov. 8 at Kaneland High School in Maple Park.

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SHABBONA – Kyle Lieving was not an immediate offensive stud growing up playing basketball.

The now 5-foot-9 senior point guard at Indian Creek made a name for himself on the other, less-popu-lar end of the floor.

“I’ve always been a defensive player. I really like doing it,” Liev-ing said. “When I was younger I really wasn’t much of an offensive threat.”

Yet that started to change for Lieving toward the end of last year. The first-year starting pointing guard shouldered more of the scoring load down the stretch and led Indian Creek to the regional

semifinals. “He kept getting better and

better,” Indian Creek coach Joe Piekarz said. “He was averaging 10-12 points a game in the last five games of the season. He definitely started upping his game and con-tributing in even more ways.”

The added scoring option was a nice surprise for Indian Creek and Piekarz, who already relied on Lieving to do so much on the floor. He was the Timberwolves’ fourth-leading scorer last year, but was still named the team MVP.

“That shows a lot to his versatil-ity,” Piekarz said. “He does so many other things for us that he deserved that award last year.”

In addition to running the of-fense, Lieving was Indian Creek’s

primary ball-handler, carrying a lot of responsibility in break-ing down pressure defenses. He also would match up defensively with an opponents’ best perimeter player in Indian Creek’s man-to-man defense.

The Timberwolves bring back four starters from last year and welcome in a group of juniors who won the Little Ten Conference as sophomores. Lieving says the fa-miliarity with his teammates going into this season is a huge advantage compared to last year.

“Coming in as a new group we really stepped up and did some good things,” Lieving said. “We have pretty much the same squad coming in with a strong bench. There’s a lot to improve though.”

DATE OPPONENT TImEWestminster Christian Tournament

Nov. 19 vs. Luther North 6:15 p.m.Nov. 20 vs. Alden-Hebron 4:30 p.m.Nov. 23 vs. Immaculate Conception 5:30 p.m.Nov. 24 TBA TBA

Nov. 30 vs. Somonauk 6:45 p.m.

Eastland ShootoutDec. 1 TBA TBA

DATE OPPONENT TImEDec. 4 at Dixon 6:45 p.m.Dec. 7 at Serena 6:45 p.m.Dec. 11 vs. IMSA 6:45 p.m.Dec. 14 vs. Hiawatha 6:45 p.m.

Plano Christmas TournamentDec. 26-29 TBA TBA Jan. 5 vs. Genoa-Kingston 6:30 p.m.Jan. 11 vs. LaMoille 6:45 p.m.Jan. 12 at Rockford Christian 7 p.m.

DATE OPPONENT TImEJan. 15 at Hinckley-Big Rock 6:45 p.m.Jan. 22 at Leland 6:45 p.m.

LTC TournamentJan. 28-29, 31-1 TBA TBA

Feb. 5 at Mooseheart 6:45 p.m.Feb. 8 at Paw Paw 6:45 p.m.Feb. 9 at North Boone 7 p.m.Feb. 12 vs. Polo 6:45 p.m.Feb. 15 vs. Newark 6:45 p.m.

INDIAN CREEK TIMBERWOLVES

Coach: Joe Piekarz (seventh season)Last season: 14-16 overall, 5-2 Little Ten

ConferencePostseason result:

Lost to Newman Central Catholic, 59-50, in Class 1A Newman Central Catholic Regional semifinals

Key returners: Jaron Todd, sr., G; Kyle Lieving,

sr., PG; Tyler Reynolds, sr., G; Jake Bjorneby, sr., F; Garrison Govig, jr., C

Impact newcomers: Stephen Muetze, jr., G/F; Nick Baldwin, jr., G/F; Noah Holm, jr., G

Outlook: Indian Creek returns four starters back from a team that had a solid showing in the Little Ten Conference, but was tripped up early in the postseason. The lone starter who graduated was Shaquille Crayton, an All-Area selection for 2011-12.

The Timberwolves’ starting five will be experienced, led by point guard Kyle Lieving, who started to pick up more of the scoring responsibility later on in the season. It will likely be a combined effort to replace the scoring prowess of Crayton.

Indian Creek also welcomes in a very strong junior class that had a lot of success as underclassmen. The Timberwolves won the conference title at the sophomore level last year and Piekarz is expecting a good mix of kids to contribute this year.

Piekarz’s take: “We have a team that has worked incredibly hard, about as hard as I’ve seen a team work here. I think we want to definitely improve on what we did last year and hopefully compete in every game. I think they are well on their way to doing that.”


SCOUTING REPORT

Joe Piekarz

SCHEDULE

TImBERWOLVES

Jake Bjorneby

Garrison Govig

Todd Jaron

Kyle Lieving

Tyler Reynolds

PROBABLE STARTERS

Core four back for ICRob Winner – [email protected]

Indian Creek coach Joe Piekarz has his players run during practice Nov. 7 in Shabbona.


• Monday, Novem


Jaron ToddIndian Creek • Senior • Guard


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DATE OPPOnEnT TImEImSA Hoops Happenings

Nov. 13 Aurora Christian 7 p.m.Nov. 16-17 TBA TBA

Nov. 20 at Plano 6:45 p.m.Nov. 26 vs. Putman County 6:45 p.m.Nov. 29 at Somonauk 6:45 p.m.Dec. 3 vs. Serena 6:45 p.m.Dec. 4 at Morris 6:45 p.m.Dec. 6 at Hiawatha 6:45 p.m.

DATE OPPOnEnT TImEDec. 10 vs. Earlville 6:45 p.m.Dec. 12 at Immaculate Conception 7:15 p.m.Dec. 13 vs. Hinckley-Big Rock 6:45 p.m.

Amboy Holiday TournamentDec. 26-29 TBA TBA

Jan. 3 at LaMoille 6:45 p.m.Jan. 5 vs. Genoa-Kingston 5 p.m.Jan. 8 at Mooseheart 5:340 p.m.

DATE OPPOnEnT TImEJan. 10 vs. Paw Paw 6:45 p.m.

LTC TournamentJan. 14-15, 17-18 at Serena TBA

Jan. 21 vs. Woodstock 5:45 p.m.Jan. 24 at Newark 6:45 p.m.Jan. 28 vs. Pecatonica 6:45 p.m.

indian creek timberwolves

Coach: Paul Muchmore (18th season)Last year: 6-21 overall, 2-6 Little Ten

ConferencePostseason result: Lost

to Hinckley-Big Rock, 65-12, in the Class 1A Indian Creek Regional semifinals

Key returners: Ariel Rus-sell, sr., G; Alyssa Arends, sr., G; Samantha Mosley, jr., F; Kate Thuestad, sr., G/F;

Kristen Hermon, jr., GImpact newcomers: TBDOutlook: Last year Indian Creek played

hard, just without success. Last season’s results were hard on the girls and on the coaches. This year they are looking to carry the same work ethic, and attitude on the court while executing and scoring more consistently. They want to be confident and are hopeful that the hard work will translate into more victories.

Muchmore said he will bring a number of players up from the frosh-soph level to join the varsity.

muchmore’s take: “One thing I expect all the time is to play hard. Really what I want is for us to continue working hard and execute. If you do those two things, the rest will take care of itself. We hope to get back to an up-tempo team and be able to play man to man with some success.”

- Amber Walker, [email protected]

SCOUTInG REPORT

Paul muchmore

SCHEDULE

SAmAnTHA mOSLEy

By AmBER WALKER [email protected]

SHABBONA – Sprinting down the court in a three-man weave, Samantha Mosley dribbles the ball, passes, then calls out her team-mates name to make the shot. When the play is done, she hustles back to the end of the line, high-fiving her teammates.

As the season begins, Mosley will be one of only five upperclass-men returning for the 2012 season. What separates her from the rest? Versatility.

Sam is hoping to take a leader-ship role at Indian Creek, leading with actions more than words. As a sophomore last season, Mosley start-ed on the frosh-soph team. That was until varsity coach Paul Muchmore

asked her to take a huge step up and play full time with the varsity.

“It was challenging,” Mosley said. “But it was fun. It was good experience for this year.”

Right away she was an asset to the team with her versatility, as well as her coach-ability. Mosley is prided in her willingness to do the work that most don’t want to do. When it comes to loose balls, rebounds, hustling down the court and scoring on putbacks, Mosley will be the one leading the way.

“For the hard work she has put in from her sophomore year to her junior year, she deserves some rec-ognition,” Muchmore said. “She is that kind of player that doesn’t com-plain. She’ll fall down and she’ll get up. You ask her to push and shove, she’ll battle with them. She’s not

going to complain about not getting shots, she’s happy with her role.”

Over the summer and into the fall Mosley has been determined to improve her game and prepare for this season. She did extra workouts and practiced with the boys team as well, proving to the guys that she can hang in their workouts that included a training program that incorporated weighted vests.

“Just playing with the guys team and practicing with them helps a lot because it challenges you,” Mos-ley said. “It makes you work a lot harder.”

During the fall, Mosley contin-ued to train so that nothing stopped her from being prepared for the preseason, where she stands now with her teammates working each day to get better.

Not backing down

ArielRussell

KatieThuestad

Samantha mosley

AlyssaArends

KirstenHermann

PROBABLE STARTERS


Indian Creek’s Samantha mosley runs sprints during practice Oct. 31 in Shabbona.


• Monday, Novem

ber 19, 2012 27

DATE OPPOnEnT TImEElgin Academy Tournament

Nov. 14 TBA TBANov. 15 TBA TBANov. 16 TBA TBANov. 17 TBA TBA

Nov. 19 at Mooseheart 5:30 p.m.Nov. 20 at Rockford Christian 7 p.m.Nov. 27 vs. Ashton-Franklin 7:15 p.m.Nov. 30 at Harvest Christian Academy 6:45 p.m.Dec. 3 at Earlville 6:45 p.m.Dec. 6 vs. Indian Creek 6:45 p.m.Dec. 10 at Hinckley-Big Rock 6:45 p.m.Dec. 11 at Paw Paw 6:45 p.m.Dec. 13 vs. LaMoille 6:45 p.m.Dec. 17 vs. Christian Liberty Academy 6 p.m.

DATE OPPOnEnT TImEProphetstown Holiday Tournament

Dec. 27 TBA TBADec. 28 TBA TBADec. 29 TBA TBA

Jan. 7 vs. Newark 6:45 p.m.Jan. 8 at Harvard 7:15 p.m.Jan. 10 at Somonauk 6:45 p.m.

LTC TournamentJan. 14 TBA TBAJan. 15 TBA TBAJan. 17 TBA TBAJan. 18 TBA TBA

Jan. 24 vs. Serena 6:45 p.m.Jan. 25 vs. Durand 7 p.m.Jan. 29 vs. Christian Life Center 7:15 p.m.

Outlook: Last year was a historic sea-son for Hiawatha as the Hawks raised the school’s first regional championship with a 38-28 victory over Durand.

Center Randi Maynard certainly will be missed after graduating last year. Not only did she provide much-needed height inside, but also was a skilled shooter, advancing past the regional round in the state three-point shoot-ing contest. She had 12 points and 10 rebounds in the regional title game.

Yet Schumacher, now in his second season, still is excited about the possi-bilities of another deep postseason run. He’s coached the senior group of Clark, Tamraz, Campbell and Andujar since they were freshmen and calls them the

“Core Four.” Schumacher’s take: “This senior

class, I have had them since fresh-men. The last four years we’ve all been together.”


• SCOUTING THE HAWKSContinued from page 7

HIAWATHA GIRLS SCOUTING REPORT

HAWKS SCHEdULE

group, including only one starter. Gilbert started as a freshman and was named All-Area honorable mention.

Mollman saw a lot of minutes off the bench as a junior and now will step into a permanent starting role.

It’s an unusual position for Goff, in his second year as coach. Although he was new to the program last year, he

worked with a more experienced team and had a better idea of what to expect at the start of the season. This year, Sycamore’s early season tournaments will take on more importance.

Goff’s take: “We’ll be a very young team this year, very inexperienced, but we’ll take our chances. We got a good group. They’re working hard so far, so I like what I’ve seen.”

– Ross [email protected]

• SCOUTING THE SPARTANSContinued from page 19

DATE OPPOnEnT TImEBurlington Central Thanksgiving

Nov. 16-17, 19-21 TBA TBA

Nov. 30 at Rochlle 7 p.m.Dec. 4 vs. Streator 7 p.m.Dec. 6 at Kaneland 7 p.m.Dec. 11 vs. Yorkville 7 p.m.

Harlem TournamentDec. 13-15 TBA TBA

Jan. 4 vs. Morris 7 p.m.Jan. 5 at Hampshire 2:30 p.m.

DATE OPPOnEnT TImEJan. 11 at Genoa-Kingston 7:15 p.m.Jan. 12 at Dixon 6 p.m.Jan. 15 vs. Rochelle 7 p.m.Jan. 18 vs. Kaneland 7 p.m.Jan. 24 at Yorkville 7 p.m.Jan. 25 at DeKalb 6 p.m.Jan. 26 at Ottawa 4:30 p.m.Jan. 31 vs. Marian Central 6:30 p.m.Feb. 1 at Morris 7 p.m.Feb. 4 at IMSA 7 p.m.Feb. 5 at Aurora Central Catholic 7:30 p.m.Feb. 7 vs. DeKalb 7 p.m.

SPARTANS SCHEdULE

SyCAmORE GIRLS SCOUTING REPORT

Sycamore’s Bailey Gilbert makes a move around teammate Julia moll (left) as soph-omore coach neilly Berger (back-ground) watches over the drill during practice nov. 1 at Sycamore High School in Sycamore.



Hiawatha’s desiree Andujar looks for a shot during practice Oct. 29 in Kirkland.

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