***High school coaches can continue to fill out the Season Preview Form to provide information on their teams. This is not required to be featured, but it does help provide context to put together the previews.
Cary Grove
Outlook:
Cary Grove lost some multi-year starters but is excited about a strong, deep junior class. Adam Bauer (8 ppg, 5 rpg) and AJ Berndt (7 ppg) will lead the way after playing large roles as sophomores. Bauer is a physical, efficient interior scorer who is a plus athlete. Berndt is a very good outside shooter who is crafty with the ball and forces turnovers with his active hands. Fellow juniors Dylan Dumele, Conner Strike, Brady Bauer, and Brady Elbert also give reason for optimism for the 2026 group. Senior Justice German is set for a starting role after having a solid junior year where he progressively improved while Landon Nawracaj and Ryan Boutwell could help round out the lineup after seeing decent minutes a year ago. The junior-heavy group will have players looking to take on new roles for a team who could play a lot of guys in the rotation this year.
Key Players:
Jr – Adam Bauer (Forward)
Jr – AJ Berndt (Guard)
Sr – Justice German (Guard)
Sr – Landon Nawracaj (Guard)
Sr – Ryan Boutwell (Forward)
Jr – Dylan Dumele (Guard)
Jr – Conner Strike (Guard)
Jr – Brady Bauer (Forward)
Jr – Brady Elbert (Forward)
Prospect For College Coaches To Keep An Eye On:
AJ Berndt (6’1 PG/SG, 2026)
Berndt is a solid three-point shooter with volleyball line range and an understanding for how to operate off of the ball to get clean looks. He will take on a heavier ball-handling role this year and projects as a combo guard at the next level who can initiate offense when necessary. The junior averaged around two steals a game last year and has the instincts defensively to be a net positive on-ball and help side defender.
Adam Bauer (6’7 PF, 2026)
One of the more under-the-radar forwards in the area, Bauer is a powerful athlete who excels as a rebounder and finisher inside. Around 6-foot-7, he has the size and strength to score consistently on the block, challenge shots inside, and rebound in traffic. He shot it well from three as a sophomore and has shown signs of expanding his range as well. Look for Bauer to emerge as a standout post player this year.