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| SATURDAY MARCH 11 | SUNDAY MARCH 12 2017
THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
SPORTS
ARC MADNESS
Shooting from way beyond the three-point line proved to be a specialty for NT’s Peltz BY KEVIN REITERMAN, SPORTS@NORTHSHOREWEEKEND.COM
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hooters who fire up threes the way this kid does usually aren’t so grounded. They’re not all that big on the humility spectrum. But that’s not the case with Aaron Peltz. Where’s the ego with this guy? Can’t find it. With the way he shoots the long ones, the New Trier senior guard could be dripping with arrogance. But his unpretentiousness precedes him. Peltz’s shots might be a little flamboyant at times — especially when he lets ’em fly from faraway places — but that’s about as far as it goes with him. He had a Hey, watch this moment in NT’s 43-40 loss to Loyola Academy in the Class 4A Zion-Benton Regional championship game on March 3. With a 1:22 left in the third quarter, the 6-foot Peltz stayed within his comfort zone and hit a tape-measure three-pointer — 27 feet out, at least — that boggled the mind. “That,” said NT’s James Connors, a very good three-point shooter himself, “was insane.” Peltz hardly reacted. He made a mental shrug and kept playing. New Trier head coach Scott Fricke saw it — and nodded. “I was pretty happy he took it.” Peltz, who was New Trier’s lone all-CSL South selection this winter, played the 2016-17 season with a passport. The kid with the well-worn white Kyrie Irving shoes and GQ haircut basically had clearance to shoot from any distance on the court. Warning: Don’t play H-O-RS-E with this guy. Being out of range is a misnomer with him. “He had the green light [all season],” said Fricke. “He’s not real tall. So he needs a little time to get the shot off. “And I think he prefers to shoot a couple of steps off the arc,” the coach added. Most teams, especially Loyola Academy in the regional final, smartly game-planned against him. The Ramblers limited him to just four shots (eight points). “Loyola spent a lot of effort keeping him from shooting,” said Fricke.
during the 2007 season. And, there’s this. In a 56-48 victory over visiting Niles West on Feb. 17, Peltz went 13-for-13 from the charity stripe. And that was good enough to tie the school record held by Rick Hielscher. “I just tried to stick with a routine,” Peltz said. “You just have to get into a rhythm and be confident.” Peltz counts two former Chicago Bulls —Kyle Korver and Doug McDermott — as his NBA favs. Which is hardly a surprise. “I like guys who can shoot and guys who have a high basketball IQ,” said Peltz. Like those guys, having the ability to shoot and create mismatches is what got Peltz on the court. But it was learning how to play tough ‘D’ that kept him on it. As a junior, Peltz got minutes, but it was more of a cameo role. He wanted more this season. “I went to Coach Fricke and asked him what I needed to do to take the next step,” said Peltz. Only three words had to be spoken: Play better defense. “Defense is all about determination,” he said. “And I decided to take it more serious than ever before.” “I think with Aaron, what I’m most proud of is the transformation he made on defense,” said Fricke. “He transitioned into a complete player. He became a two-way player.” Instead of playing in AAU tournaments, Peltz resumed his training in the offseason with Mike Ipjian. “I’ve been with him since the sixth or seventh grade,” said Peltz. “I’m not an AAU player. I’m not New Trier’s Aaron Peltz tries to strip the ball away from Maine South’s Fillip Bulatovic during regular-season play this winter. The allagainst AAU. But I chose to get CSL South selection came up with a record-setting season. PHOTOGRAPHY BY TING SHEN ready for the season by working Other teams paid for allowing “My teammates did a great job this season, when he opened the He downplayed the feat. on specific skills. I think both him to roam freely. Peltz popped of finding me,” said Peltz. “I didn’t season by hitting 33 straight free “I never thought about breaking options are good.” in five three-pointers — including really force up a lot of shots. I just throws, breaking a record (30) held the record,” said Peltz. “I just Peltz still is looking at his one that he banked in with 1:44 tried to be a spark.” by Brendan Pierce. thought about what I could do to future options. He has yet to pick “Pretty crazy. Pretty cool,” said help the team win.” left in the fourth quarter — in Peltz finished the season shoota college, but he has picked a path. NT’s thrilling 50-48 over host ing 38 percent from three-point Connors. “And the weird part is Fun fact: Peltz and Pierce know “I just know that I’d like be Zion-Benton in a regional semi- range (57-150). Last season, he that every one of them was a each other well. Pierce, who heads involved in sports in some way,” final on March 1. shot 49 percent (42-86) from swish.” up the New Trier Feeder program, he said. “Maybe a general Maine South, by the way, paid beyond the arc. manager of an NBA team. I Peltz’s first miss came in Game coached Peltz a few years ago. for it — twice. Peltz hit six threes “He’s one of the best shooters No. 27, in a 47-35 regional quarMeanwhile, his .971 free-throw would love to draft players and against the Hawks during the ever at New Trier,” said Fricke. terfinal win over Lakes on Feb. 27. percentage (34-for-35) also is a talk trades.” And that’s not just an opinion. No doubt, he’d have an eagle 2015-16 season and then matched “It was time to miss one,” said school record, surpassing the mark that total on Feb. 11. Peltz set a school record earlier Peltz, pushing out a smile. (86.8 percent) Patrick Romey set eye for three-point shooters.