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Girls basketball: Scouting Grayslake Central

GRAYSLAKE CENTRAL

Coach: Steve Ikenn (fifth season)

Last season: 19-11, 10-2 in FVC Fox, lost to North Chicago in Class 3A North Chicago regional final

Key players lost: C Morgan Dahlstrom (Southern Indiana), PG Carson Sparkman, G/F Maddy Miller

Returning players: Sr. G Lauren Spalding (5-8), Jr. G Kelly Moroney (5-6), Jr. G Quin Garbett (5-5), Sr. F Kayley Larson (5-9), Sr. G Rachel Effa (5-7), Sr. F/G Juliana Frusolone (5-6), Sr. F Connor Eschrich (5-8)

Newcomers: So. G Amanda Larson (5-8), So. F Lindsay Brust (5-8), So. G Ruvie Gloria (5-3), F G/F Ania Barnes (5-9)

Outlook: There's no replacing Morgan Dahlstrom, whose fourth varsity season was her best, as the 6-foot-1 center easily led the Rams in both scoring (20.2 ppg) and rebounding (12.2 rpg) in 2013-14. It was the second year in a row that she averaged a double-double. The Southern Indiana recruit was the team's leading scorer in 27 of its 30 games. The Rams also graduated three-year varsity starting point guard Carson Sparkman. "The key this year is we have to play really good team basketball in every aspect," coach Steve Ikenn said. "It's going to be about getting used to a different style of play. The pieces are there. We just got to be patient and put it together. I think we'll be OK." Sharpshooting senior guard Lauren Spalding is in her fourth varsity season and third as a starter, while junior guard Kelly Moroney is the Rams' only other returning starter. "I expect a nice all-around season from (Spalding)," Ikenn said. "I think sometimes people think of Lauren as just a scorer, but I think she's a very solid all-around player. She's a good on-the-ball defender, she plays good help-side defense, she handles the ball and sees the floor well. I think she does a lot of things that sometimes go unnoticed." Quin Garbett, Kayley Larson, Connor Eschrich and Juliana Frusolone all played coming off the bench last season. "Those kids will be playing bigger roles this season," Ikenn said. Senior guard Rachel Effa missed the first half of last season while recovering from an ACL injury. She then did the same damage to her other knee in soccer. Ikenn is hoping to get Effa back a little sooner this winter. Ania Barnes is a 5-9 freshman who can play forward or guard. "She's a good young player," Ikenn said. "We'll bring her along slowly and see what she can contribute. But she's definitely got some skills and has a really good future in front of her." Guard Amanda Larson (Kayley's sister) and forward Lindsay Brust are a pair of sophomores on the team. The Rams' ability to rebound the basketball might be a concern, as they lack height. Barnes is their tallest player. "And she's a wing," Ikenn said with a laugh. "We have to rebound as a team. We can't depend on one person."

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