Each Monday, we'll introduce a team participating in the IlliniHQ Shootout at the Hall presented by State Farm Insurance, our annual boys' basketball extravaganza which this year takes place Dec. 12 at the Assembly Hall.

Today: Waukegan High School, home of Illinois recruit Jereme Richmond, the News-Gazette's 2009 All-State Player of the Year

Here's the scoop:

Waukegan High School

City: Waukegan

Enrollment: 4,300

Nickname: Bulldogs

Shootout appearance: Third

Three things to know about Waukegan High School, courtesy staff writer Paul Klee:

1.

Waukegan's run to the Class 4A state championship game last season bound the community. The Bulldogs won a school-record 26 games before losing to Chicago Whitney Young in the final. Coach Ron Ashlaw returns four starters: senior Mike Springs, senior Quan Conner, junior Aaron Johnson and senior Jereme Richmond. The lone starter that's missing is Colin Nickerson, a News-Gazette All-Stater and a freshman guard at Fairfield University, a Division I program in Connecticut. Ashlaw said he still wants to play the run-and-jump, up-tempo style that put the Bulldogs one win from their first state title. "We had a lot of success with that style," Ashlaw said Thursday. "Jereme was the guy that would anchor and protect the basket while our perimeter guys were out pressuring the ball and causing havoc. That's what we want to do."

2.

These Bulldogs are Shootout at the Hall veterans. Making its third appearance, Waukegan is 1-1 in the Shootout, with a loss to Peoria Manual (47-44) and a win against Rock Island (65-55). Richmond has averaged 18.5 points and 12 boards in two Shootout games. The longtime UI recruit, who can sign a letter of intent on Nov. 11, was part of the memorable 2007 Shootout. Future Illini Richmond, Joseph Bertrand, D.J. Richardson, Brandon Paul and Crandall Head that day combined for 119 points, and none had fewer than 19. Richmond will be asked to play more on the perimeter next season, Ashlaw said. "He's more dangerous now," Ashlaw said. "That's just from me watching him play in open gym. He's making open shots. He's doing more."

3.

Entering his senior season – almost three years after he committed to Illinois – Richmond is the favorite to claim the state's Mr. Basketball honors. Last season he finished second in voting to UI freshman Brandon Paul. His profile has allowed Waukegan to piece together an ambitious schedule. Waukegan also is scheduled to play in events at Pontiac, Springfield and Marion. Ashlaw said there's also a rematch with Whitney Young in the City-Suburban Showdown. But the highlight is an ESPN-televised matchup at Ames (Iowa) High School on Dec. 17. Ames is led by 2010 super-recruit Harrison Barnes, a 6-foot-6 wing. "It's the Richmond factor," Ashlaw said. "He's a national kind of a player on a team that had some success last year. That was attractive (for ESPN)."

The 2009 field

1. Brehm Prep - link

2. Quality Education Academy - link

3. Rock Island - link