Grayslake Central basketball looking to winter ball

Despite losing four starters, including three-year varsity players Mike Brumm and Alex Anderson to graduation, Grayslake Central High boys basketball coach Brian Moe is looking to challenge for the Fox Valley Conference Fox Division championship next winter.

The team is rounding into shape, playing "a little over .500 ball" this summer and "getting to know each other," said the coach.

Moe, a second-year head man, said that about 23 players came out for the summer team, which is participating in leagues at College of Lake County and Stevenson High, as well as in three shoot-outs.

The Rams, second in their conference last season and IHSA Class 3A regional champs for the second year in a row, will be led by lone returning starter, 6-foot-3 Josh Rappaport, a two-year varsity player who averaged about 13 points per game and was the team's best rebounder.

Also returning from last year's team will be backup point guard Darius Dacanay; 6-3 Matt Murphy, a good outside shooter; and Cameron Nelson.

But Moe recognizes that Grayslake Central's fortunes will rise or fall with the successful return to the team of 6-2 swing man Andrew Sipes, who can rebound, score and defend.

Sipes saw significant action on the varsity as a freshman, was a double-digit scorer while starting as a sophomore, but lost all but three games of his junior year to a serious knee injury. He has been cleared to play for the Rams in the summer and Moe is using him sparingly thus far, playing him eight minutes, then sitting him four.

"We're hoping that by November, he'll be pretty close to 100 percent," said Moe. "Getting him back is like getting back a fifth-year senior."

Sipes, who has an ability to score inside against much taller opponents, will play forward and some "2" guard for the Rams.

The Rams also expect to get major contributions from 5-6 sophomore point guard Jordan Taylor, who, as a freshman, was the leading scorer for the sophomore team.

During Saturday's Zion-Benton six-team shoot-out, Taylor ran the familiar motion offense for the Rams, helping to lead the team to a 3-0 sweep of the competition.

The Rams were without Rappaport and Sipes, but Taylor's 17 points led the team to a 45-41 final-game victory over the host Zee-Bees.

Lest the Grayslake Central faithful get too excited, however, it should be pointed out that the Bees were missing Ohio State-bound all-stater Lenzelle Smith as well as starters Paul Williams and Owen Worthington.

Still, Taylor impressed with a good outside shot, slashing drives to the hole and good passing.

Moe believes C.J. Stempeck will also be in the mix, giving the team some height with his 6-5 size.

"He's athletic and runs the floor well," said the coach. "He's still figuring out how to use his body inside to get some points."

"I think we're going to be able to score," Moe said. "The thing we're working on and finding out this summer is whether we'll be able to stop anybody."

Like season's past, Grayslake Central will play hard man-to-man defense.

MICHAEL SCHMIDT•MSCHMIDT@SCN1.COM

Grayslake Central High hoops coach Brian Moe talks with his players at halftime of a huge over a team from Zion-Benton on Saturday.

RAM HOOPS 2009-2010

NON-FVC FOX GAMES

• Late November -- at Mundelein Thanksgiving tourney

• Dec. 4 -- at Lakes

• Dec. 11 -- host Jacobs

• Dec. 15 -- at Cary-Grove

• Late December -- at Bloomington/Normal Christmas tourney

• Feb. 2 -- at Glenbrook South

• Feb. 16 -- at Vernon Hills

• Feb. 23 -- host Elgin