Scouting Grant
GRANT
Coach: Kevin Geist (second season)
Last season: 22-8, 13-1 in NLCC, lost to Lake Zurich in Class 4A Grayslake North regional semifinals
Key losses: C Mallory Harrity, G Roxanne Temple, G Kennedy Kiesgen
Returning players: Sr. G Ally Mahinay (5-10), Sr. F Brooke Karpinske (5-10), So. C Jazzlyn Linbo (6-2), Jr. G/F Katelyn Dupree (5-9), Sr. G Carly Burgeson (5-4),
Newcomers: Jr. G Katelyn Flader (5-5), Fr. G/F Ashlyn Santos (5-7), Fr. G/F Kylie Whyte (5-9), Fr. G MaCalyn Flores (5-0), Fr. F Cora Hughs (5-6), Jr. G Nicolette Kouvelias (5-5), Jr. F Brin Robinson (5-8),
Outlook: As the Bulldogs' fourth head coach in four years and a new teacher in the building, Kevin Geist admittedly didn't know what to expect from his new team a year ago. It turned out about as well as he could have hoped. The Bulldogs expected to win, and did on most nights. Their 22 wins were their most since 2007-08, when they went 25-5 under coach Tom Oeffling, and they earned a share of the NLCC championship with Grayslake Central. "They just really worked well together and were an amazing group," Geist said. "We had some good leadership, and everything was understood. The girls had endured some struggles from years prior. They were just delighted to play, and they were a pleasure to coach." Center Mallory Harrity, an all-area and First Team All-NLCC selection, graduated, but ample talent returns along with a promising freshman group. Senior guard Ally Mahinay (all-area, First Team All-NLCC) averaged 11.7 ppg and made 39 3-pointers in her third year as a varsity starter. Geist said Mahinay does not plan to play college basketball as she pursues a nursing degree. "She can shoot, she can dribble, she's tall (5-10), she's athletic, and her defense is getting much better," Geist said. "She's a pleasure to coach." While Harrity is gone, the Bulldogs still have a low-post presence in 6-2 Jazzlyn Linbo, who started last season and was an all-conference volleyball player this fall. Athletic forwards Brooke Karpinske and Katelyn Dupree also played plenty last season. Geist promoted four freshmen in MaCalyn Flores, Cora Hughs, Ashlyn Santos and Kylie Whyte. "They are up because in the summer they did very well," Geist said. "They're going to play." And the Bulldogs will look to build on last season's success. "I hope last year was not just a fluke," Gesit said. "I think we got some good leadership, (players) who know what to do and how to compete at this level."