MaxPreps 2013-14 Preseason Xcellent 25 Basketball preview: No. 8 La Lumiere

While much was made over the summer about the flow of talent to La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.), head coach Alan Huss thinks one of two returners will be the key to success for the Lakers in 2013-14.

Sam Logwood, a well-built 6-foot-5 wing headed to Auburn next year, will be counted on to produce and lead.

"He's really undervalued nationally," Huss said. "He played center as a freshman and has made the transition into becoming a really solid wing player. He can still play on the block and we will ask him to do that some but he scores in a variety of ways and can really finish."



Logwood helped La Lumiere notch a signature win over storied Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) last December at the Iolani Classic in Hawai'i (the Lakers also beat Findlay Prep during the 2011-12 season). In order for more wins like that to occur, a talented cast of newcomers will need to get comfortable in a hurry.

"We have a lot of young, hungry kids that are really fighting for spots," Huss said. "It's a competitive environment and a great mix."

The backcourt looks to be in good hands with Jo Jo Anderson (a transfer from Houston), Drew Cayce (Edwardsville, Ill.), Jalen Coleman (Indianapolis) and Munis Tutu – another returner.

Joseph Toye, a star on the court and in track and field (jumps) at Chicago's Whitney Young last year, joins Logwood on the wing.

Coleman was a standout as a sophomore at Indianapolis Cathedral, ironically leading the Fighting Irish to a 70-59 win over La Lumiere last February. The junior guard will be joined at his new school by freshman brother Isaiah, who Huss expects to see minutes this year.

Alex Olesinski is an intriguing player at 6-9 with the ability to do damage from the outside. The New Mexico native has a chance to significantly raise his stock with a productive two years at La Lumiere.



"He's added 14 or 15 pounds already since he has been here," Huss said. "Still got to get physically stronger but he's a stretch four who could be very difficult to deal with."

View gallery of La Lumiere preseason photo shoot

La Lumiere last five years:
2012-13 (Alan Huss) – 26-6, No. 7 final Academy Top 10 national ranking
2011-12 (Alan Huss) – 25-3, No. 7 final Academy Top 10 national ranking
2010-11 (Alan Huss) – 21-4
2009-10 (Delray Brooks) – 10-11
2008-09 (Delray Brooks) – 14-9 {PAGEBREAK}

Classification/Division:
Independent private boarding and day school

Enrollment:
200 (9-12)

Head coach:
Alan Huss (Fourth year as head coach at La Lumiere)

Career record:
72-13 at La Lumiere, 164-50 in 10 years overall including six seasons at Culver Military Academy (Culver, Ind.)



Former Lakers in college basketball:

Obij Aget (New Mexico freshman center)

Matej Buovac (New Mexico State sophomore forward)

Raphael Davis (Purdue sophomore guard)

Jalen James (San Jose State freshman guard)

Torren Jones (Missouri freshman forward)



Hanner Mosquera-Perea (Indiana sophomore forward)

Detrick Mostella (Pittsburgh freshman guard)

Jay Simpson (Purdue freshman forward)

Johnathan Wilkins (New Mexico State freshman forward/center)

Other notable alumni:

Paris Barclay (Produced music videos for LL Cool J, New Kids on the Block, Janet Jackson and Bob Dylan)



Jim Gaffigan (Actor)

John P. Hiler (United States Representative 1981-1991)

John G. Roberts (United States Supreme Court Chief Justice){PAGEBREAK} Key returners:

Sam Logwood (6-6, Sr., G/F), Auburn verbal commitment

Munis Tutu (6-0, Jr., G)

Newcomers:



Jo Jo Anderson (6-2, Jr., G)

Drew Cayce (6-1, Jr., G)

Isaiah Coleman (5-10, Fr., G)

Jalen Coleman (6-3, Jr., G)

Sadiq Inuwa (6-6, Sr., F)

Alex Olesinski (6-8, Jr., F)



Joseph Toye (6-7, Jr., G/F)

Circle the date:

La Lumiere will be part of the nation's top high school basketball showcase in January at the Spalding Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. Five star forward Cheick Diallo and Our Savior New American (Centereach, N.Y.) will be the opponent.

Huss and his program will also return to the Mike Miller Classic at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D., where they will face the hometown Kernels and West Oaks (Orlando, Fla.) on back-to-back nights.

Tournament time:

The Lakers will compete in two "tournaments" — though neither will follow a traditional bracketed format. First up later this month is the State Farm Tournament of Champions of Washington, Ill., where La Lumiere will cross paths with Christian Brothers (St. Louis), St. Louis Christian (Mo.) and No. 20 Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.).

In December, the Tarkanian Classic will be a major test with No. 2 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.), No. 7 Prime Prep (Dallas), Our Savior New American and Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.) joining La Lumiere in the event's prep division.