Lake Forest College Men's Basketball
1999-2000 Season Preview


"Foresters Have Their Sights Set High"
     In 1998, Head Coach Chris Conger took Lake Forest to the Midwest Conference championship tournament for the first time in school history. With that taste of success still in their mouths, the Foresters feel they are ready for even more unprecedented success. "We've made a commitment as a coaching staff and a team to not just get back to the conference tournament, but to win it and earn an NCAA bid," Conger explains. "We're committed to putting Lake Forest College on the basketball map."
     The return of 87% of the scoring, over 91% of the rebounds, and 80% of the assists from last year's team is a big step towards reaching the team's goals. Second-year co-captain Joe Wysocki, a 6-3 senior guard/forward from New Berlin, WI (Waukesha Catholic Memorial H.S.), made tremendous strides last season during his transition from sixth man to primary scoring option for the Foresters. He led last year's team in scoring at 17.0 points per game and has been in the conference's top seven for three-point shooting accuracy each of his first three seasons. In 1997-98 he helped the Foresters to the sixth highest three-point percentage in the nation by hitting 43.6% of his shots from beyond the three-point arc. Wysockie was named Honorable Mention All-MWC last year. "Joe is a tremendous example of what hard work and dedication can produce," Conger added. "His work ethic is remarkable."
     The Foresters will also rely heavily on the broad shoulders of 6-7, 225 pound junior center J.R. Jurecko, a local product of Libertyville, IL (Libertyville H.S.). Jurecko was an All-MWC pick last year, as well as, a Conference Player of the Week and Division III Basketball Online National Team of the Week selection. Joining the team at mid-season didn't prevent Jurecko from leading the league in rebounding by nearly two boards per game. He notched double-doubles for points and rebounds in seven of the Foresters' final eight games and averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds over that stretch. "J.R. gives us one of the best low post threats in the nation and his size is unmatched," comments Conger. "The truly exciting aspect of having J.R. on the court is his unselfishness. He sees the court and finds the open man. Joe and J.R. will give us great inside/outside scoring capabilities."
     Despite his small stature (standing just 5-10), Brian Bruha (Hillsboro, WI/Hillsboro H.S.) put up big numbers in his rookie season. This 'stat stuffer' finished fourth in the conference for assists, sixth for rebounds and also added 10 points per game and a team-high 29 steals. "Brian is one of the most athletic players I've coached at Lake Forest," Conger adds. "His athletic ability enables him to make plays that others can't even think about making. He's still got a lot of work to do in order to be a great player, but if he can improve his decision making and become a more consistent outside shooter, he will be one of the top players in the conference."
     In Jurecko, Wysocki, and Bruha, the Foresters have two of the top five returning conference leaders for scoring and rebounding, as well as, one returning leader for three-point shooting percentage, assists, and free throw percentage. "I feel really good about the nucleus of our team," Conger adds. "They're mentally tough and extremely talented. But we'll need to have some other players step up and fill holes around them in order for us to meet our goals in the conference and on the national scene. There are a lot of intangibles not only on our team, but within the league that should make it an exiting 1999-2000 season."
     Senior co-captain Mike Maloney, a 5-10 guard from Chicago, IL (Loyola Academy), will give the Lake Forest back court experience and toughness, while a pair of sophomores - Bryan Bertola (Green Bay, WI/Bay Port H.S) and Tyler Tofson (Wisconsin Dell, WI/Wisconsin Dells H.S.) - are returnees looking for break-out seasons. Bertola joined the team for the second semester last year after tranferring from Washington (MO) University and appearred in all 15 games in which he was eligible. Tofson played in 21 of the Foresters' 22 games last season as a guard, but will make the move into the post for the 1999-2000 season.
     The coaching staff will also look to a talented and deep group of newcomers for depth on this year's team. "This is easily the best freshman class we've brought in here at Lake Forest," Conger explains. "They're not only talented, but have a strong work ethic. They will give us quality minutes at every position and will be special to watch."
     This year's freshman and the entire Forester team will enter a Midwest Conference in which three of last year's four conference tournament teams graduate at least four of their starters. The Foresters will be looking for not only a return trip to the conference tournament, but according to Coach Conger, much bigger accomplishments, "After going to the conference tournament, our goals have changed. We won't be satisfied to just be playing for a conference title, we're driven to win the whole thing and go to the NCAA Tournament."