Top Team Preview: Lawrence North

In an effort to get geared up for the (already started) IHSAA Boy's Basketball season, I will be previewing some of the top Indianapolis area teams. These teams are projected to compete for postseason honors in their respective classes. For the first entry, traditional 4A powerhouse Lawrence North will get the spotlight. With no state titles to their credit since the 2005-2006 season, after which Greg Oden and Michael Conley, Jr. departed for Ohio State University, LN looks to rebound in 2008 as a preseason favorite for the 4A crown. The Wildcats are coming off two disappointing years by their standards, last year losing to North Central in sectionals, and the previous year losing in the first round of regionals to JuJuan Johnson's Franklin Central Flashes. Coach Jack Keefer hopes this years' LN team will restore the glory to the storied high school, and looking at their roster, there's every reason for optimism.

LN is lead by four year varsity star Stephan Van Treese, a 6'9" Louisville recruit, signed by Rick Pitino this fall. SVT is a true post banger with a developing touch from outside. He is surprisingly athletic and finishes and rebounds above the rim. His biggest weakness is a lack of aggressiveness, which may be in part to dealing with nagging injuries and sickness, like the mono he battled during their regoinal loss two seasons ago, throughout his career. Most Indiana high school teams would kill for one kid of that size and skill, but has the luxury of abundant height at all positions. Van Treese is joined by a bevy of D1 talents on the starting five, as well as coming off the bench. One such star is another senior, 6'9" power forward Jeff Robinson, a Purdue recruit. Robinson can dominate a game defensively and on the glass, and his offense, while a little raw, is improving. Five star junior Dominique Ferguson, a 6'9" small forward, is already committed to Billy Gillespie's Kentucky Wildcats. Ferguson has limitless talent and offensive ability, but disappears for stretches and seems uninterested at times. He has the potential to dominate games. LN has another top 50 junior in 6'7" forward Justin Martin, another kid who will take his game to Pitino at Louisville. Martin's offensive game is solid, but developing, but his real strengths are being able to guard virtually any position, rebounding, and hustle. There is some speculation that Martin may need time at a prep school after graduation to get his grades in order. The hits keep on coming with two sophomore studs: 6'10" center Michael Chandler and 6'6" forward Ryan Taylor. Both of these kids are big time recruits, claiming offers from IU and many others. More size and great experience comes off the bench in 6'6" senior, and four year varsity player, Chris Read. Read has been around during the LN glory days, so he knows what is takes to be a champion. LN boasts more size in 7'0" junior Jan Maehlen. Jan can help in a pinch, and he just about clogs the entire lane with his mere presence. The backcourt is the Wildcat's main area of weakness. Larry Smith, a 6'4" senior point man, will run the show. He was considered a D1 recruit as an underclassman, but has dealt with injuries, including a torn ACL, throughout his LN career. The guard spot is a question mark from there. Kyree Jones has reportedly transferred to a school in Texas, which marks his fourth school in four years of high school. Keefer will miss his shooting touch from the outside. Most opposing teams will choose to double and triple team the LN big men, as there is no real deadeye threat from the outside. Despite the questions at guard, this team is truly loaded, with at least seven D1 talents on the roster. Expect them there at the end, competing for the 4A State Crown.

Check back later for previews on other Indy area top teams, including Franklin Central, North Central, Cathedral, and Heritage Christian!