A-3 Boys Basketball

Lakeside Knights

1999-2000 record: 5-17

Coach: Brian Hall

Years coaching, record: 2nd, 5-17

Key players: Justin Hendrickx, junior, 5-8, guard; L.J. Trottier, jr., 5-7, point guard; Joseph Matt, sr., 6-1, forward; Brandon Pluff, sr., 5-10, g; Leonard Johnson, sr., 5-7, g; Jeremy Schulz, sr., 6-1, post.

Returning starters: 4; Hendrickx, Matt, Johnson, Pluff

Bonus shot: The Knights averaged about 45 points per game last year. Hall figures they must score 70 or more to win more than they lose.

Coach’s comments: “We have high hopes. Last year, our expectations weren’t real high. If we don’t win at least 12 games, the kids would be pretty upset.”

Outlook: Lakeside’s strengths will have to be speed and offensive balance. The Knights don’t want anything to do with a slow tempo. The faster the pace, the more Lakeside will flourish.

Wallace Miners

1999-2000 record: 15-9

Coach: Cal Ketchum

Years coaching, record: 2nd, 15-9

Key players: Brooks Carver, jr., 6-6, p; Cory Miller, sr., 5-10, pg; Chase Bennett, sr., 6-1, f; Joe Ramierez, jr., 6-1, f; Tony Caron, sr., 5-10, w.

Returning starters: 1; Carver

Bonus shot: Graduation hit the Miners hard. Wallace must replace eight players, three of whom had three years of varsity experience each.

Coach’s comments: “We can be competitive. It’s going to come down to whether we can put the ball in the basket. We have to play tough defense. If we don’t, we’re not going to be in many ballgames.”

Outlook: Wallace graduated 85 percent of its offense. Carver was the team’s third-leading scorer (12.5 ppg) last year. Several players will need to step up and share in the offensive load.