With limited opportunities to practice with the Rochelle Township High School basketball program, Adam Kemp and a few of his teammates competed over the summer through the Players Advantage AAU program. That experience and the chemistry formed between Kemp and his junior teammates will be beneficial when the Hubs take the court next season.

Kemp started in the backcourt for a sophomore team that went 24-5 and won an Interstate 8 Conference Championship this past season. One of several players on the team with size and length, the 6-foot-3 guard played sparingly on the varsity team. Kemp said he’s been working to improve his ball handling abilities as he prepares for his first season as a full-time varsity player.

“That AAU experience really helped us a lot,” Kemp said. “A lot of us have been playing together since we were young and we’ve blended well together. We’re going to have a young varsity team this year, but I think we have a chance to be really good. I was a role player last year, but I’m hoping to get more minutes, earn a starting spot and be a top player this year.”

The Hubs will certainly need more guards who can handle the ball. Rochelle graduated two starting guards from last year’s roster including point guard Austin Brown, who led the team in assists. With a high-level scorer and shooter in Garrett Burdin returning this year, Kemp is one of a few juniors including Noah Brown and Tanner Lager who are vying for backcourt duties.

“I’ve really grown in my ball handling ability and getting to the hoop,” Kemp said. “I want to continue improving my shooting and I think we’ll be really good as a team if I can do that. I want to be a starter and really help the team win games. It would be really nice for us to have another 20-win season and hopefully compete for a regional championship this year.”