Highly-touted junior point guard Jalen Coleman and freshman brother Isaiah transferred to La Lumiere over the summer. Jalen starred at Indianapolis Cathedral last season.
Photo courtesy of adidas
Alan Huss
2012-13 record: 26-6, No. 7 final Academy Top 10 national ranking
Players to watch: Jo Jo Anderson (6-2, Jr., G),
Jalen Coleman (6-3, Jr., G),
Sadiq Inuwa (6-6, Sr., F),
Sam Logwood (6-6, Sr., G/F, Auburn verbal commitment),
Alex Olesinski (6-9, Jr., F),
Joseph Toye (6-7, Jr., G/F),
Munis Tutu (6-0, Jr., G)
Breaking down the Lakers
While much was made over the summer about the flow of talent to La Porte, Huss thinks one of his few returners could be the key to success for the Lakers in 2013-14.
Joseph Toye was a key contributor at Whitney Young as a sophomore.
Photo by Jim Redman
Logwood, a well-built 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 Oak Hill Academy last December at the Iolani Classic in Hawai'i. In order for more wins like that to occur, the Lakers will need a talented cast of newcomers 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 Anderson, Coleman and Tutu – another returner. 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.
Stepping upOlesinski 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."
Key datesNov. 26-30 – State Farm Tournament of Champions
Dec. 18-22 – Tarkanian Classic
Dec. 28 – vs.
West Oaks (Orlando, Fla.) at Mike Miller Classic
Jan. 19 – vs.
Our Savior New American (Centereach, N.Y.) at Spalding Hoophall Classic
Jan. 25 – vs.
Cleveland Central Catholic at Dunk 4 Diabetes Shootout
