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Larkin names Knapp new girls basketball coach

Larkin High School has turned to one if its own to lead the Royals' girls basketball program.

Steve Knapp, a 2002 Larkin graduate who has been coaching with Larkin's boys basketball program under Deryn Carter the past four years, was named Thursday as the new head girls basketball coach.

Knapp replaces Ruben Flores, who was not retained after three seasons and a 20-67 record, which included a 6-21 mark this past season.

Knapp played baseball and basketball at Larkin and was the Royals' 2002 Male Athlete of the Year. He went on to play baseball at Elgin Community College and Western Illinois University.

“I'm really looking forward to it,” Knapp said of taking over the girls' program. “Being a Larkin grad and being loyal to the program and the school I couldn't see a better fit for me. Being with the boys' program and seeing the success of the past few years, I want to see the same for the girls' program.”

After graduating from Western, Knapp came back to Larkin in 2007 as a building substitute and part-time teacher as well as a football, basketball and baseball coach.

He also taught and coached at Hampshire High School from 2009-2012 before returning to Larkin to teach physical education and coach all three sports again.

“Steve is an alum and he bleeds Royal blue,” said Larkin Athletic Director Mark Ribbens. “He's been an integral part of the boys basketball program the last four years and he's been a part of all the processes of coaching. He hasn't been a head (varsity) coach but it's been a desire of his.”

Knapp did serve as interim head coach of the Larkin boys basketball team for a handful of games in 2010 when Carter was suspended over an administrative issue centered around certification.

Ribbens said an important part of the hiring is that Knapp is in the building.

“He's internal and it was really a no-brainer,” Ribbens said. “He's in the building and there are a lot of pros to having an in-building person. We're very lucky to have Steve. He loves coaching here, he loves the kids here and he's a Larkin guy. It's important to have that passion and a connection to the history here and be willing to give back to the kids, the school and the community.”

Knapp inherits a team that has struggled for wins as well as participation numbers the past several seasons. The Royals' top returning player is one of the best in the Fox Valley, all-area sophomore Marlee Kyles.

“I know we have some talent coming back and I'll just stress the hard work they have to put in everyday,” Knapp said. “I'm planning on taking a lot that I learned from Deryn and bringing it to the girls' program. I want us to be an up-tempo team that plays hard every game and everyday at practice. You gotta work hard to be successful.”

Knapp also sees the importance of being a teacher in the building and hopes to build a staff of the same kind.

“I'm planning on having a staff that will all or mostly all be in the building,” he said. “I believe that's one way the program can flourish.”

Knapp is married to the former Lindsey Crichton, also a 2002 Larkin grad and a former standout athlete for the Royals. The Knapps have one son, Austin.

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