Wolves Season Ends, But Late Rally Brings Optimism For Next Year

Here's a few wishes for the 2011-12 basketball season. First of all, no concussions please. And that means you, Conner Perry.

boys basketball awaited the arrival of several players from that juggernaut of a football squad, but it was slow going when hoops season opened. Corky Card's squad lost 10 of its first 11 games.

And then in a late-season loss to a very good Lake Forest Academy squad, Card witnessed a light go on in the gym: his team was making progress.

The Wolves (7-19) won four of its last seven games. On regional night at home on Monday, Sean Valentine scored 24 points. The Wolves dug a big hole but caught Cary-Grove late.  However, free throws at the end gave CG a 52-48 victory.

"We had a good atmosphere here,'' Card said. "We got down by 14 and changed our press. It's always easier to play when you are behind."

Valentine led the Wolves in scoring this season and is an important player coming back next year.

"He's got that scorer's mentality,'' Card said. "He's got good size (6-foot-3) and is a decent ballhandler. I'd like to see him get to the free throw line more."

Five of PR's seven wins came in conference play. That bumped the Wolves into a tie for fourth place in the Fox Valley Fox Division. Three of those wins came late in the season.

Recap: This seemingly lost season came alive late in the campaign. A sweep of the Woodstocks helped. A sure upset came on Feb. 15. That's when center James Stawarz brought out his 3-point shooting skills in a 49-48 road win over Grayslake North.

On Feb. 25, Valentine had 19 points and Stawarz added 10 points in a  54-46 win over Woodstock North. Woodstock also fell to the late-surging Wolves. On Feb. 18, Valentine had 20 points in the 36-31 win.

Peaking Ahead: Graduation will take away the tall Stawarz. Shane Cullian gave the team some good inside play. He graduates along with Mac Curtis and Scott Truit.

Card is enthusiastic about a strong freshman class. The sophomore team grabbed a few of those freshman but the freshman team (15-9) still won the conference.

"We'll be young next year,'' Card said.

Add the young players to Valentine and Nick Margiotta and Perry. This guard suffered two concussions. He is a strong candidate at guard.

And keep an eye out for Luke Keller. The junior can also score.

"He can shoot the three,'' Card said.