2008-09 Boys Basketball Capsules

Hinckley-Big Rock Royals

Coach: Bill Sambrookes.
Last season: 17-12, 5-3 Little ten conference; lost in regional semifinal to Somonauk.

Projected starters
Ryan Salazar, senior, G
Brian Michaels, junior, G
Kyle Burks, senior, F
Ryan Korth, senior, C
Kyle Michael, senior, G

Key reserves
Alex Hemesath
Matt Laurie
Colton Craig
Rob McKenzie
Jared Harper
Bryan Blume
Travis Chase

Season outlook: The Royals want to push the ball up the court, but Sambrookes also wants his team to show patience when the fast break is not there. They have seasoned veterans in three-year starters Salazar and Michaels and two-year starter Kyle Burks. Hinckley-Big Rock will employ a defense built from strong man-to-man fundamentals.

Opponent's take: "Coach Sambrookes is a great competitor on the court and brings an intensity to the sideline that transfers to the court. His teams always play hard. He is also a great defensive coach. They make it difficult to do the things you want. This year they will have three of the best players in the conference in Salazar, Michaels and Burks. I expect they will challenge for the conference crown again."

— An anonymous Little Ten Conference coach

Schedule 

Nov. 24-26, 28, 29 Seneca Tournament TBA
Tue 12/2 Sandwich
Fri 12/5 Newark
Sat 12/6 @ Amboy Shootout
Fri 12/12 @ LaMoille
Fri 12/19 Serena
Dec. 26, 27, 29, 30 @ Plano Tournament
Thu 1/8 @ Oregon
Fri 1/9 @ Paw Paw
Tue 1/13 @ Hampshire
Fri 1/16 @ Leland/Earlville*
Tue 1/20 Somonauk
Mon 1/26 IMSA
Fri 1/30 Mooseheart
Feb. 2-6 @ Little Ten Tourney (at Somonauk)
Tue 2/10 @ Aurora Christian
Fri 2/13 @ Hiawatha
Fri 2/20 Indian Creek