I walked into high school gyms and the first thing I look at are the banners. I check them out to see if there are any for boys basketball. There's an 1981 Class 2A State title for Girls Basketball. Elk Grove has really no boys basketball history to speak of. Elk Grove went 4-26 last season. They hired a new Head Coach. His name is Chris Rugg. He's been in coaching for 27 years in some capacity. He hopes to make history at the school for the Grenadiers. He's bringing the Grinnell Sysytem to the school: https://thesandb.com/44827/article/the-grinnell-system-mens-basketballs-defining-trait/. It's fast pacd basketball, and a lot of threes being shot. You have to be in shape to run it. I was allowed to speak to the players last night, and I told them lots of running in the preseason. I also told them to get extra time in the gym to hone their shooting. Here's some of the top players:
JAYDEN LORENZ, Class of 2025 6'6" wing is the best player on the team. He blocked a few shots in the scrimmage. Can take it off the defensive glass and push the ball setting up the offense. Lefty shoots from all three levels of the court. Loves to pass, so much he penetrated deep with a chance for layups and kicked out to three point shooters. That's the Grinnell system.
ALEX ORTLOFF, Class of 2025 6'7" center is a big time volleyball player as an outside hitter. He runs the floor well, can block shots, and gets baskets on the block. Attempted a couple of three pointers in the scrimmage. Will help on the glass on both ends of the court.
COOPER CASTERTON, Class of 2027 5'8" point guard loves to penetrate into the paint and make plays from there. He's a very good three point shooter whether off the catch or off the bounce. Made some nice passes in the scrimmage. Gets after it on the defensive end.
NOLAN BRAND, Class of 2026 6'6" wing runs the floor well, finishes off cuts to the basket and drives to the rim. Didn't attempt many threes in the scrimmage. Hits the glass on both ends well. Lots of potential.
DARYL HUNT, Class of 2025 5'10" point guard only played one game in the scimmage as he's a foootball player. He's quick, fast, can get to any spot on the court. Did some shot creation for his teammates and scored on a driving layup. Took one three pointer and missed. Will be a key cog on the team this year.
MATTHEW KARAM, Class of 2027 5'9" point guard made some nice plays off the bounce. Had some nice passes for assists to shooters and cutters to the basket. Hit multiple three point shots in the scrimmage.
CONCLUSION: Coach Rugg has to get the young men to buy into the fast paced system. He lost his point guard to a torn ACL in football, so he'll have multiple ball handlers to set the pace. Lorenz, Casteron, and Hunt will be key. Karam may play either sophomore or varsity. Could be needed as another ball handler who can shoot. Grenadiers are looking to have double the wins they had last year. The players said they played at a slow pace last season. This one could be fun for them.
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