North Shore prepares for new season

BOYS BASKETBALL -Austin Curren came close to history last season at

North Shore Country Day.

As a freshman starter, Curren scored a team-best 19, but the Raiders

were unable to upset Westminster Christian for North Shore's

first-ever regional title in Class 1A.

The 6-foot-2 Curren, arguably the team's second-best player last

season behind Eric Van Wart, has three more seasons to add his name to

the record books at the Winnetka school.

"He's talented," said first-year coach Rashid Smith, who takes over

for Omar Mance, now an assistant at Army. Mance went 22-27 in two

seasons with the Raiders. "He's an all-purpose player. He shoots the

ball well, has nice speed and nice touch around the hoop. He can go

off in some games."

North Shore, which finished 6-16 last season, was scheduled to start

the season Wednesday against Yeshiva. The Raiders play Elgin Academy

on Friday and Morgan Park Academy on Saturday.

"Most guys who are returning saw action as a freshmen," said Smith, a

first-time head coach and North Shore's third in four seasons. "So we

have experience. We also have three guys who can play three

positions."

Along with Curren, senior Ryan Nolan and junior Jake Bruce all got

significant minutes last season. Bruce is coming off multiple hand

operations during the offseason, but Smith said the guard's ready to

go.

"He looks fine," the coach said.

Senior Eric Anderson and sophomores Jamie Swimmer and Riley Hall also

return with varsity experience. Swimmer joined Curren as

all-conference honorable mention last season.

Smith said the team's biggest concern, at least early on, is depth. He

hopes to use an eight-player rotation.

"I'd like to be able to do that consistently," he said.

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