Scouting Vernon Hills

CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH

VERNON HILLS

Coach: Paul Brettner (18th season)

Last season: 13-16, 7-3 in CSL North, lost to St. Viator in Class 3A Vernon Hills regional final

Key losses: G Becky Bahlmann, G Katie Burrows, G Sarah Demas, G Emma Pappano, G Sophia Lehocky (North Park), G Sammie Biede

Returning players: Jr. F Kayla Caudle (6-0), Jr. G Piper Bedell (5-7), Sr. G Nicole Pieper (5-6), Sr. F Tatiana Guletsky (5-10), So. G Kylie Bunning (5-10), Sr. F Rachel D'Argo (5-5)

Newcomers: Fr. G Daniella Jarrell (5-9), So. G Abby Brown (5-6), So. G Emily Singer (5-5), Jr. F Mackenzie Mahler (5-8), Jr. G Julia Neary (5-3)

Outlook: The Cougars lost six of their last eight games last season but still finished with double-digit wins for the 10th year in a row. "We weren't far from single-digit wins and we weren't far from having 16 or 17," said Paul Brettner, who's the only head coach in program history. "We didn't shoot the ball well, so we had too many games that were close. We'd lose by three and you'd look at the stat sheet and we were 1 of 9 from 3." If the Cougars can shoot better this season, that will give them an outside-inside game that will be the envy of many teams, as they boast one of the top post players in the county in 6-foot junior Kayla Caudle. A two-time all-area and all-conference selection, Caudle averaged 12 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots per game last season. "Hopefully we got a couple of kids who can shoot from the outside and take a little pressure off Kayla," Brettner said. "That would make a big difference." Caudle has received Division I interest but remains uncommitted. "She had a great summer," Brettner said. "Got a lot of looks (by colleges) and a lot of interest. She looks great." The Cougars' only other returning starter is guard Piper Bedell. Tatiana Guletsky, who got minutes off the bench last season, is recovering from a torn ACL suffered at the end of the spring softball season. Kylie Bunning got playing time as a freshman last winter. Freshman Daniella Jarrell opened the season this week as a starting guard and is expected to share the ballhandling duties with Bedell. Sophomore guards Abby Brown and Emily Singer both earned varsity spots after playing freshman ball last winter. Seniors Rachel D'Argo and Nicole Pieper are back and provide senior leadership along with Guletsky. "I like the group," Brettner said. "They work hard at practice every day with a good attitude, and I think we can become a pretty good defensive team. A lot of the guards are pretty quick. They can help guard the ball and (defend) off the ball. Hopefully that will make a big difference, so in a close game, if we're not shooting, at least maybe we can hold the other team and get an extra stop."