Girls basketball: Scouting Mundelein

MUNDELEIN

Coach: Brian Evans (15th season)

Last season: 9-18, 4-8 in NSC Lake, lost to Lake Forest in Class 4A Mundelein regional opener

Key players lost: F Becca Woit

Returning players: Sr. G Lauren Rouse, Sr. C Taylor Lintner, Jr. G Natalie Busscher, Jr. G Maggie Mahar, So. G Amy Richards, So. F Madison Davis

Newcomers: Jr. G Maddie Zazas, Jr. G Maria DeVito, Jr. F Jamie Hemmer, so. G Kendall Wald

Outlook: The Mustangs don’t lack athletes. Nor varsity experience. Of the 10 players on their roster, six logged heavy varsity minutes last season. Plus, newcomers Maddie Zazas and Maria DeVito have been the varsity softball team’s starting double-play combination the last two springs. “Everybody has athletes,” coach Brian Evans said. “We need basketball players.” The Mustangs have those, too. Senior Lauren Rouse was a varsity rookie last winter, but the athletic, hardworking guard earned a scholarship to NAIA Olivet Nazarene. Juniors Natalie Busscher and Maggie Mahar represented the Mustangs on the all-conference team last season. They earned varsity spots as freshmen, although Mahar, a legitimate three-point threat, missed the entire season with a broken ankle. The 5-10 Busscher has the athleticism to run the floor well and score. Rouse and 6-foot post Taylor Lintner are the only seniors. Junior newcomer Jamie Hemmer is another 6-foot post who looks like she’ll contribute a lot. Sophomores Madison Davis (5-10) and Amy Richards (5-9) both played on varsity last season. Evans’ starting five Opening Night featured Rouse, Busscher, Mahar, Davis and Richards.“They’re all out of their diapers now,” joked Evans, whose Mustangs began the season with wins over Grant and Prairie Ridge in their own tournament. “Last year we said, ‘You’re diaper dandies. Now, you’re big girls.’ ”