KCC Preps Basketball Preview

WEDNESDAY

November 19, 2014 St. Charles North’s Claire Jakaitis

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

Transfers look to make difference this season / 14

PLAYING WITH PIZZAZZ

2014-15 PREP BASKETBALL PREVIEW SECTION

FLASHY BALL-HANDLING, PASSING, HAS ITS PLACE, BUT PLAYERS WISE TO PROCEED WITH CAUTION / 12-13

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, November 19, 2014

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Measuring up to Geneva boys hoops won’t be easy PREP ZONE Jay Schwab Geneva boys basketball coach Phil Ralston has to go back two decades to his time at Northwestern University to recall being around a team with comparable size to this year’s Vikings.

Yes, things are looking up for the Vikings’ program these days.

Way up.

The Vikings, coming off a Class 4A sectional final appearance last season, are coming back bigger.

Whether it’s bigger and better is the question that likely will determine the Upstate Eight Conference River race this season and unravel the mysteries of March.

“Phil’s a winner and he’s got a proven system,” St. Charles North coach Tom Poulin said. “Now you’re going to be running that system with 6-6 to 6-10 kids who know how to play basketball, and that’s a scary thought for everyone else.”

It’s easy to gaze at Geneva’s roster – behold, 6-foot-10 transfer Chandler Fuzak and a quartet of 6-7 players, Bennett Fuzak, Loudon Vollbrecht, Mike Landi and the Division-I bound Nate Navigato – and figure Geneva is going to run roughshod over the conference this season.

Not necessarily so.

For one, this conference is Larkin’s playground until proven otherwise, and the Royals have the conference’s most explosive big – by a longshot – in super-soph Christian Negron.

Perhaps more pertinently, the age-old roundball wisdom holds that guards dictate play, and the Vikings have more questions there than some others, particularly St. Charles East and St. Charles North.

“In the high school game, the guard controls the game,” Saints coach Pat Woods said. “In the high school game, you can have a great big player, but if you can’t get him the ball, how effective is he going to be?”

The Vikings’ major graduation losses from last year’s 25-win squad were starting guards Chris Parrilli and Cam Cook. Pace Temple returns as a dynamic combo guard,

Shaw Media file photo

Geneva junior Loudon Vollbrecht is one of five players on this year’s Vikings roster who stands 6-foot-7 or taller. although an apparent MCL injury suffered in Saturday’s football playoff loss to Cary-Grove will put additional heat on what already projected to be an inexperienced backcourt. On Monday, Temple indicated he expects to be sidelined 6-8 weeks.

Ralston recognizes that as promising as Geneva’s deep and daunting frontcourt appears, developing trustworthy guardplay likely will settle the Vikings’ upside.

“I’ll be the first one to tell you we’ve got a long way to go to get to where I think people think we are or where we want to be,” Ralston said. “We’re going to try to address each challenge one thing at a time and try to get better each day, and hopefully we’re playing our best basketball in March.”

Elsewhere on the Tri-Cities scene, East and North each can make strong cases for contention.

If you flip a little deeper into this section, there’s some breaking news – Cole Gentry can handle the rock. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better floor general, and Gentry has plenty of shooters to find after shredding his man. Woods wisely targeted improved defense as a focal point this season, and whether the Saints deliver on that objective will determine whether East becomes a legit contender.

North brings a formidable leadership tandem in guard Jake Ludwig and forward Jack Callaghan

to the mix. Junior guard Mike Schroeder announced himself with a great summer of AAU ball, and if that translates to varsity play – and a few other North Stars become sturdy role players – the North Stars can challenge for the top spot.

Based on Batavia’s recent struggles, the Bulldogs aren’t viewed by most as a conference contender, but coach Jim Nazos’ team should be poised for significant improvement, especially if senior Chasen Peez can stay healthy and team with Canaan Coffey for a quality 1-2 scoring punch. Under Nazos, the commitment to salty defense is always in place.

Which brings us back to those towering Vikings. Ralston expects to see plenty of full-court pressure and packed-in zone defenses as opponents try to minimize damage in the paint. That alone probably won’t be enough to derail the Vikings, who don’t figure to surrender many close-range buckets at the other end.

“You might have to shoot the ball decently against them and really work your tail off to keep them all off the offensive boards, because those guys aren’t just big, they’re big and skilled,” Nazos said.

Sounds like a big challenge.

• Jay Schwab is sports editor of the Kane County Chronicle. He can be reached at 630-845-5382 or jschwab@shawmedia.com.

Kane County Chronicle’s 2014-15 PreP BasketBall Preview Hustle and flow

Coaches seek the extra energy and the strong work ethic from their players.

“We don’t really tally [hustle-play stats], but you can see kids’ effort,” Geneva girls basketball coach Sarah Meadows said.

PAGE 3

Sandy Bressner – sbressner@shawmedia.com

Batavia’s Eddie Golden steals the ball during a recent practice at the school.

Terrific 10

A photographic look at some of the top girls and boys players to keep an eye on this season.

PAGES 4-8

Boys scouting reports

Previews and analysis of the 11 area teams’ upcoming seasons.

PAGES 9-11, 15

‘It’s got to be effective’

COVER STORY: Coaches like some of the athletic, crowd-pleasing plays, but prefer for players not to experiment during a game.

PAGES 12-13

Girls scouting reports

Previews and analysis of the 11 area teams’ upcoming seasons.

PAGES 16-19

Names and games

Local boys, girls schedules and rosters.

PAGES 21-23

Cover photo – St. Charles East’s Cole Gentry drives to the basketball for a layup.

Photo illustration by Sandy Bressner – sbressner@shawmedia.com Team preview capsules by Kevin Druley, Jay Schwab and Ian Matthews Design by Kevin Murphy

No matter how measured, hustle plays resonate with coaches

By JAY SCHWAB

jschwab@shawmedia.com

M

Shaw Media file photo

Whether it’s through charting hustle-based statistics or simple observation, coaches take note of the kind of all-out effort shown on this battle for a loose ball during a game last season between Marmion and St. Francis.

“I do not think it’s something that can just appear when it’s game time. I think there are habits that need to be formed and you try to develop those in practice.”

Jim Nazos, Batavia boys basketball coach on hustle plays

Sandy Bressner – sbressner@shawmedia.com

Batavia varsity basketball players scrap for a rebound during a recent practice at the school. that can just appear when it’s game time. I think there are habits that need to be formed and you try to develop those in practice.”

Considering effort-focused drills can be especially grueling, Nazos said it would be impractical to do them daily,

but he said the Bulldogs work on nuances such as properly taking charges and scrapping for loose balls enough to keep them in the forefront of players’ minds.

It can be tricky to apply a one-size-fits-all eye test in assessing players’ effort, said Ge-

neva boys coach Phil Ralston, noting that certain guys move more efficiently than others and that reserves who come in for a short burst naturally have extra energy to burn.

Still, players that clearly are willing to dig deep to make a hustle play are practically assured of avoiding a coach’s doghouse.

“We don’t really tally [hustle-play stats], but you can see kids’ effort,” Vikings girls coach Sarah Meadows said. “Even if they’re not as skilled of a player, if they take a charge or dive on the floor for a loose ball, they’re going to get more minutes just because they play with so much heart.

That’s huge for us, for sure.”

Kaneland boys coach Brian Johnson doesn’t exempt himself from demanding high energy, saying “we as coaches try to bring a lot of energy [to practices and games], and hope that the boys can model it.”

Ralston takes an especially broad view of evaluating players’ effort, extending his emphasis to how thoroughly Vikings reserves scout opponents’ plays and tendencies to assist in practice preparations.

“It’s something we just kind of tell the kids, ‘This is how you can help us be successful,’ ” Ralston said.

• Sports reporter Kevin Druley contributed to this report.

• Wednesday, November 19, 2014

aking an ill-advised pass can turn into an opportunity for an Aurora Christian boys basketball player to increase his standing with coach Pat McNamara.

That might seem counter-intuitive, but that’s how much McNamara – and many other coaches – value hustle and maximum effort.

“You want to get in my good graces, when you make a mistake, when you throw that pass at the top of the key to the wing [and it’s stolen], if you break it [downcourt] as fast as you can trying to get that guy to rush his shot or pull up, that’s the best play you can make, in my opinion,” McNamara said.

While feverish hustle is universally lauded, some coaches put more premium on quantifying effort through various statistical categories, while others are content eyeballing games and practices, figuring it’s easy to tell which players consistently are giving their all.

Burlington Central boys coach Brett Porto said a large board in the Rockets’ locker room tracks performance in various hustle categories – deflections, offensive rebounds, battles for loose balls – and Porto drives home the correlation between how the Rockets performed in those areas on a given night and the final score.

“It’s a great way for our kids to see what those statistics actually mean when it comes down to the win-loss column,” Porto said.

Practices set the tone in prioritizing diving for loose balls, taking charges, sprinting back on defense and other hallmarks of basketball tenacity.

Certain programs design specific drills to crank up the heat on demanding effort, while others consider preaching hustle woven into the fabric of each practice drill.

“It’s got to be emphasized every, single day,” Batavia boys coach Jim Nazos said.

“I do not think it’s something

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SUREFIRE STOCK-BOOSTER

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TERRIFIC 10: AREA’S TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, November 19, 2014

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SHIFTY

Katie Claussner SCE • Senior • G

Claussner excels at breaking down defenses behind a strong ability to penetrate and distribute.

WORK HORSE Jack Callaghan SCN • Senior • F

Callaghan is a skilled scorer and passer, but his extra effort crashing the glass is especially valuable for the North Stars.

Portraits by Sandy Bressner – sbressner@shawmedia.com

TERRIFIC 10: AREA’S TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH

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Nichole Davidson SCN • Senior • G/F The veteran Davidson aims to lead the experienced North Stars to a breakthrough season.

MAESTRO

Cole Gentry SCE • Senior • G Gentry’s elite ball-handling and creative flair make him the ideal point guard, and he’s also deadly from beyond the arc.

Portraits by Sandy Bressner – sbressner@shawmedia.com

• Wednesday, November 19, 2014

PRIMED

TERRIFIC 10: AREA’S TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, November 19, 2014

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PILLAR

Hannah Frazier Batavia • Junior • F

Bulldogs’ emerging inside force has been asserting herself down low since her freshman season.

ATTACK MODE Jake Ludwig SCN • Senior • G

Ludwig is dangerous from deep but can be close to unstoppable when he makes a beeline for the rim.

Portraits by Sandy Bressner – sbressner@shawmedia.com

TERRIFIC 10: AREA’S TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH

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JUDICIOUS

Grace Loberg Geneva • Soph. • F/C

Nate Navigato Geneva • Senior • F

A go-to player on the volleyball scene, as well, Loberg knows teams will key on her but still finds a way.

Navigato is known for his unselfishness, efficiency and ability to fill it up from all over the floor.

Portraits by Sandy Bressner – sbressner@shawmedia.com

• Wednesday, November 19, 2014

UNDAUNTED

TERRIFIC 10: AREA’S TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, November 19, 2014

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TESTED

Janie McCloughan Geneva • Senior • F If you think of a big Vikings game of the recent past, you think of McCloughan helping the cause in a major way.

PRODUCTIVE Chasen Peez Batavia • Senior • F

Peez was a scoring and rebounding force as a junior – when his back cooperated – and the Bulldogs are hopeful a season of full health will keep the output flowing.

Portraits by Sandy Bressner – sbressner@shawmedia.com

BOYS BASKETBALL SCOUTING REPORTS

Hot handles: McNamara Jr. “wasn’t ready” to run the point as a sophomore last year in his father’s estimation, but is much better equipped to be a lead guard.

Bottom line: Even after losing standout Johnathan Harrell to graduation, the deep Eagles are poised to push toward a 20-win season.

Look for Lutze to turn in a banner season and lead the way.

BATAVIA About coach Jim Nazos: Nazos enters his third season at Batavia with a 20-33 record.

Last year’s record: 8-18 overall, 2-10 Upstate Eight Conference River. Lost, 73-56, to Bolingbrook in 4A Plainfield East Regional semifinal.

Returning starters: Canaan Coffey, Jr., G; Chasen Peez, Sr., F; Danny Pieczynski, Sr., F Scouting the Bulldogs: Batavia seeks a bounce-back season after a year of deep struggles last year, especially offensively. Coffey and Peez could be a strong 1-2 punch, with Coffey physically stronger and more versatile this winter and Peez hoping for better health after back problems dogged him last year and during much of the offseason. … Pieczynski was an asset on the glass last year and should be primed to shoulder a larger load offensively. … Point guard

Tyler Lovestrand struggled with the speed of the game last year, Nazos said, but should play more confidently as a seasoned, varsity player. … Jacob Roberts played sparingly last season and hopes to carve out a bigger niche on the perimeter. … Several members of last year’s sophomore team are in the mix to help. Nazos said 6-3 forward John Fitch impressed during the summer, and guards Michael Fee, Brett Bowman, Carter Eberhardt, Kamontez Thomas and Tyler Tamplin also will have their chances. … Football standout Eddie Golden has returned to the program after a one-year hiatus and figures to help on the interior. … As usual, defensive grit is a focal point for Nazos, and he likes the team’s defensive ingredients. “I think we’re more advanced right now defensively than we have been in the past so I do like where we’re at there,” Nazos said.

Hot handles: Lovestrand can navigate traffic effectively and has strong floor vision; if he can hold down the point guard spot, it would allow Coffey freedom to hunt open shots.

Bottom line: The Bulldogs need a big senior season and better health for Peez, who was a productive scorer and rebounder as a junior.

If that happens and guys such as Pieczynski, Lovestrand and Fitch chip in offensively, the Bulldogs can return to UEC River respectability.

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• Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Returning starters: R.D. Lutze, Jr., F; Zach Singer, Sr., F; Wes Wolfe, Sr., G; Pat McNamara Jr., Jr., G Scouting the Eagles: Aurora Christian returns four starters, but the catch is coach McNamara isn’t sold that all four will remain in the starting mix. That’s a good thing for the Eagles, who have plenty of depth and several up-and-comers who will push the team’s returnees for playing time. … Still, McNamara is high on the returning cast, which includes his son, a 6-foot guard who started the last 10 games as a sophomore. … Wolfe, a threeyear varsity player and perimeter sniper, broke his wrist earlier this fall and missed much of preseason practice. … Lutze might be the team’s most dynamic player and is attacking the basket more aggressively than last year. … Undersized but gritty forward Juwan Sisco was a pleasant surprise in regionals last year and could be a weapon on the glass. … Jeremiah Wright, the 5-foot-8 younger brother of former Eagles standout Jason Wright (who AURORA CHRISTIAN went on to play at Eastern Illinois About coach Pat McNamara: in the early 2000s), is the Eagles’ McNamara enters his third speediest player, “and that’s saying season with the something,” said McNamara, referencing football standout Jacolby Eagles with a Maxwell’s presence on the squad.

35-24 overall … Blackhawk Christian (Ind.), record.

Last year’s record: 16-12 overall, coached by former ACS coach 5-5 Suburban Christian Conference. and Eagles legacy Marc Davidson, will bring his team to town for a Lost, 62-57, to IC Catholic Prep in 2A Aurora Christian Regional final. reunion night on Jan. 24.

way his starting lineup projects, but cultivating reliable depth will be a challenge. “There’s going to be zero experience on the bench,” Drye said. “We’ll just have to see.

It’s going to be kind of who steps up and does it. It’s going to have to be kind of sorted in practice and whatnot.” Especially given the questions on the bench, Drye said he’s not sure what to expect early on, but is hopeful there is upside to be tapped as the season unfolds.

Hot handles: Cowen is the Chargers’ top ball-handler and needs to stay healthy for the Chargers’ offense to function the way they’d like.

Bottom line: It wasn’t long ago that ACC was one of the area’s top programs, but the Chargers have hit a rut the past couple seasons.

This year’s team might be too reliant on underclassmen to fully restore the program’s winning ways, but there is enough talent to make headway.

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AURORA CENTRAL CATHOLIC About coach Nate Drye: Drye enters his 11th season with the Chargers with a 148-142 record.

Last year’s record: 3-21 overall, 1-9 SCC Blue. Lost, 88-57, to Glenbard South in first round of 3A Kaneland Regional.

Returning starters: Mac Cowen, So., G; Evan Schuetz, Jr., F; Nick Faltz, Jr., F Scouting the Chargers: Aurora Central Catholic will field a young starting lineup this season – just not as young as last season.

Progress should be afoot after the underclassmen-heavy Chargers took their lumps last season. …

Returning sophomores Cowen and Brett Czerak return to the mix after seeing time as freshmen, while juniors Schuetz and Faltz also established themselves as varsity players last season. … Cowen started about half of ACC’s games last season but missed time with a pair of injuries. He should lock down the starting point guard spot. … At 6-foot-4, Mario May – the team’s lone senior – will be asked to anchor the Chargers in the paint. But ACC’s strongsuit is expected to be on the perimeter.

“I’m hoping we shoot it well,” ACC coach Nate Drye said. “We need to shoot it well, I’ll put it that way. If we don’t shoot it well, we’re going to be in trouble.” … Drye likes the

BURLINGTON CENTRAL About coach Brett Porto: Porto enters his sixth season with the Rockets with a 77-60 overall record.

Last year’s record: 18-9 overall, 8-4 Big Northern Conference East.

Lost, 45-44, to Wheaton Academy in 3A Genoa-Kingston Regional semifinal.

Returning starter: Luke McCurdy (Jr., G).

Scouting the Rockets: After absorbing heavy graduation losses, Central will try to recalibrate under the leadership of junior point guard Luke McCurdy, who will be more of a featured scorer this season after having the luxury to let the game come to him as a sophomore.

“Throughout the year [McCurdy] had some really good moments and also times we had a lot of other guys scoring where he did a lot of distributing … when we needed him to make shots he did, and when we needed him to distribute, he did that,” Porto said. … Junior big man Ryan Fitzgerald has “wonderful offensive post moves,” according to Porto, and also quick reflexes honed by his work his fall as the Rockets soccer team’s goalkeeper. … Off guards Drew Wiss and Stefan Jochum both saw time last season and will aim to amplify their scoring punch. The team’s lone freshman, Zach Schutta, also should have a

BOYS BASKETBALL SCOUTING REPORTS look-see in the backcourt. … Porto is optimistic senior forward Nathan Moxness will fortify the Rockets’ rebounding and interior defense.

Hot handles: McCurdy is Central’s alpha guard at the point.

“He has a nice skill set,” Porto said. “He’s going to have the ball in his hands most for us. Whatever moves necessary for him to get the ball in the lane, get the ball into our sets and our offense and distribute it, he definitely has my confidence and has done pretty well with that in his career so far.”

Bottom line: Central will need Fitzgerald and Moxness to quickly make themselves comfortable in the paint and tap new scoring sources on the perimeter because the Rockets must account for heavy graduation losses.

Player of the Year, is an efficient scorer inside and out, but the 6-foot-7 Buffalo recruit figures to do more of his damage from the wing given the Vikings’ embarrassment of riches in the paint. “I’ve worked on my ball-handling a lot, my shooting, everything that I need to play the wing position,” Navigato said. “It’s going to be a little test for me.” … Temple’s late-season offensive emergence was instrumental in the Vikings’ postseason roll last year but he is expected to miss 6-8 weeks after an MCL tear suffered in Saturday’s football playoff loss against Cary-Grove. … Guardplay already was a question with the graduations of stalwarts Chris Parrilli and Cam Cook. As Geneva seeks to plug holes in its backcourt rotation, junior Tyler Schleicher and senior Jack Dreyer are among the GENEVA alternatives to lend assistance. …

About coach Phil Ralston: In Navigato, Vollbrecht, Mike Landi Ralston enters his and the Fuzak brothers – Chandler seventh season and Bennett, transfers from Wheawith the Vikings ton Academy – the Vikings wield with a 113-62 five players who stand 6-7 or taller, overall record. topping out with senior Chandler Last season’s Fuzak, who is 6-10. “I used to judge record: 25-6 overall, 8-4 Upstate the dunk contest for the IHSA, Eight Conference River. Lost, and [in Chandler Fuzak] we’re 60-41, to Benet in 4A East Aurora talking about a kid looking to place Sectional final. downstate if they still had the dunk Returning starters: Nate Navcontest,” Ralston said. “He’s had igato, Sr., F; Pace Temple, Sr., G; some nice rim-rattlers. I’m almost Loudon Vollbrecht, Jr., F/C going to worry between him and Scouting the Vikings: Navigato, Loudon about them bringing down the reigning Kane County Chronicle one of these baskets the way they

bring it down with such force.”

Hot handles: Geneva’s newlook backcourt figures to be on the spot as opponents likely will apply plenty of full-court pressure, especially while Temple is sidelined.

Bottom line: With so many big bodies and the arrival of the Fuzak brothers, don’t forget – this is Navigato’s senior year. One of the greatest Vikings of all time has several talented teammates to work with, but in the big moments of the big games, look for Navigato to continue lifting the Vikings to grand heights.

Pruett from last year’s Class 3A regional champion squad, several role players will need to be more productive. Better health for big man Jacob Gomes and outside sniper Dylan Vaca – both of whom missed extended time with injuries last season – would help, too.

Johnson said he’s “really excited” to have the burly, 6-5 Gomes in the mix down low. … Senior guard Connor Fedderly will look to parlay the momentum from his breakout football season to the hardwood. …

The Knights will play “probably the toughest schedule we’ve had since I’ve been to Kaneland and probably one of the toughest schedules KANELAND Kaneland has seen in the last 10 to About coach Brian Johnson: 15 years,” Johnson said, including Johnson enters their own shootout matchup his seventh with Larkin and a downstate trip season with the to a shootout in O’Fallon. … With Knights with an David’s older brother, Drew, having 85-52 career graduated, a key opening exists at record. point guard, with juniors Mark Lilly Last year’s record: 18-10 overall, and Tanner Robertsen jockeying 7-3 Northern Illinois Big 12 East. for minutes.

Lost, 76-61, to Rockford Lutheran in Hot handles: Lilly brings plenty 3A Hampshire Sectional semifinal. of pizazz to the point guard spot, Returning starter: Ryan David, including “really nice stop-and-go Jr., F quickness,” according to Johnson.

Scouting the Knights: Forging Bottom line: Kaneland has been an identity with a new-look cast a consistent contender in the might take a while for Kaneland. division under Johnson. This year’s “Some years I kind of have a team isn’t going to fall off the really good idea of what we are, map, but keeping pace with the and this year, I just don’t know,” conference’s upper echelon might Johnson said. … After graduating be a stretch considering the lack of stalwarts Ty Carlson and John proven offensive firepower.

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Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, November 19, 2014

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rebounding and defense won’t just come like the offense will. It’ll take more work.”

Hot handles: Gentry has moves and shiftiness that are much more common on urban playgrounds than around the Tri-Cities.

Bottom line: Gentry’s dynamic point guard play, multiple outside shooters and solid size give the Saints plenty of ingredients.

How responsive the Saints are to Woods’ pleas for amped-up defense will tell East’s tale.

ST. CHARLES NORTH About coach Tom Poulin: Poulin enters his ninth season with the North Stars with a 132-99 record.

Last year’s record: 16-10 overall, 8-4 Upstate Eight Conference River. Lost, 65-50, to St. Charles East in 4A St. Charles North Regional semifinal.

Returning starters: Jake Ludwig, Sr., G; Jack Callaghan, Sr., F. Scouting the North Stars: On the surface, losing three starters and having to deal with formidable competition at the top of the UEC River seems like an uphill battle, but Ludwig and Callaghan provide a quality foundation, and encouraging offseasons from others gives North cause for optimism. … Junior guard Mike Schroeder flourished on the AAU circuit with the Tri-City Thunder, and could team with Ludwig to give North a potent

backcourt scoring combination. …

Poulin likes his pool of guards so much, he said he likely will play a four-guard lineup at times. Lefty junior guard Armon Osborne “is our microwave,” according to Poulin, capable of scoring in bunches, and David Pozna and Jarod Karom also fit into Poulin’s vision of a deep backcourt. … Callaghan is an inside-outside offensive threat but his greatest asset to the North Stars – especially with a somewhat undersized team – is his rebounding prowess. … Forwards Brendan McCarthy and Johnny Davern will be needed to solidify North’s interior defense and rebounding efforts. … Sophomore Griffin Hammer gives North an athletic, 6-5 forward who could add a dimension if he can acclimate quickly enough to the varsity game. … While North has plenty of firepower, Poulin acknowledged defending the paint and a size deficit are potential concerns.

Hot handles: Ludwig “had his foot on the pedal this summer,” Poulin said, and he’s unlikely to let off when he has a head of steam in the open court.

Bottom line: North should be fun to watch with a small but skilled lineup and the potential to punish teams in transition. Callaghan is a quality glue guy, and if one or two others step forward to provide support in the paint, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the North Stars rip off a 20-win season.

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• Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Charles East,” Woods said. “Scoring hasn’t been an issue. We have to get better at stopping people, and that’s one of our focuses this year.” Woods thinks junior guard Evan DiLeonardi can be especially stout defending the perimeter, and another guard searching for more minutes – Jeremy Champine – could earn them through defensive tenacity. … Gentry is a strong on-the-ball defender, but he’s best known for his high-end point guard skills and shooting prowess. Gentry shot 53 percent from beyond the 3-point line as a junior, and might call his number more often with Dom Adduci having graduated. …

A pair of Jakes, Jake Asquini and Jake Clodi, are other dangerous 3-point threats, and Woods is ST. CHARLES EAST looking for both to make strides in About coach Pat Woods: other areas. … On the interior, the Woods enters his 6-foot-5 Vyzral plays solid positional fourth season with defense and is equally comfortthe Saints with a 48- able facing the basket as scoring 37 mark. from point-blank range. He might Last season’s slide out of the paint more given record: 18-12 overall, 8-4 Upstate the emergence of 6-8 senior Jack Eight Conference River. Lost, 76-62, Bronec, who played little last year to South Elgin in 4A St. Charles but “has come such a long way,” North Regional final.

Woods said. … McQuillan has been Returning starters: Cole Gentry, on varsity since freshman year and Sr., G; Mick Vyzral, Sr., F; James is capable of big-scoring nights. But McQuillan, Jr., F East’s mission is clear. “Last year I’d Scouting the Saints: East is say we were more offensive-mindeager to make a more serious run ed,” Gentry said. “This year we’re at a conference title, and to do so, trying to be more defense- and Woods believes it must begin with rebounding-minded because we improved defense. “We haven’t had have a lot of weapons on offense, issues scoring in my time here at St. so it’ll come no matter what, but

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BOYS BASKETBALL SCOUTING REPORTS

when he returns. … Richie Jarnell, back in the program after sitting out last year, as well as guards Josh Ruddy, Hunter Weber and Jon Young are also candidates to slide into Currie’s rotation.

Hot handles: Young played point guard for the Cadets at the lower levels the past two seasons and will see how his skill set translates to the varsity game.

Bottom line: The Ryan Paradise era ended in gut-wrenching fashion last year as a buzzer-beater from Kaneland’s Drew David cost Marmion a regional title. Depending on their postseason draw, this year’s team has the size and go-to scorer (Esp) to again be a tricky out once the postseason arrives.

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MARMION About coach Joe Currie: Currie enters his first season coaching the Cadets.

Last year’s record: 16-15 overall, 5-5 Suburban Christian Conference Blue. Lost, 62-60, to Kaneland in 3A Kaneland Regional final.

Returning starters: Jake Esp, Sr., F; Jordan Glasgow, Sr., G. Scouting the Cadets: After spending 16 years coaching at the lower levels for Marmion, Currie, who also was an assistant at Waubonsee Community College, steps in to replace Ryan Paradise, who resigned. “I’m a graduate of Marmion as well (class of 1982) so the opportunity to come back and represent the school and just be a part of it. … It was an opportunity I felt I fit in with, and I’m excited to get the opportunity to do it,” said Currie, who favors a motion offense. … Esp should ease Currie’s transition. A skilled forward, Esp can score inside and out but is likely to see more time on the wing this season due to increased depth in the paint. … Football linemen John Gauthier (6-foot-6) and Luke Juriga (6-4) came out for hoops this season, and should complement returning contributor Matt Fletcher and Evan Pickard in the frontcourt. … Glasgow is the Cadets’ tone-setter in the backcourt. … Senior Jack Doroff might not be available until near Christmas with an injury but could bolster Marmion’s guard play

Flashy play can energize crowds, agonize local boys basketball coaches

By JAY SCHWAB

them off balance and then hit them with the move that really gets you by them.”

jschwab@shawmedia.com

A

weaving drive through traffic or behind-the-back pass in transition is more likely to make a coach wince than lead to wins, yet the temptation for players to make crowdpleasing plays can be tricky to suppress.

When players act on the impulse, it’s high risk, high reward. The result could be thunderous cheers or an extended stay on the bench.

Smart, fundamentally sound basketball and playing with flash don’t have to be mutually exclusive, but few high school players are able to marry the two. That doesn’t stop many from trying – often to their coaches’ chagrin.

TAKING THE AIR OUT OF THE BALL

TURNED TO TOAST

Jeremy Champine has gone toe-to-toe with Cole Gentry since their elementary school days.

That chore has grown increasingly daunting in recent years as Gentry blossomed into one of the state’s slickest ballhandlers. Champine enjoys watching Gentry’s vaunted crossover from the bench much more than when he’s charged with defending him during practice.

“After he’s got you, he’s so skilled that he takes advantage of it nine times out of 10,” Champine said. “That one time you might be able to catch up and play solid defense, but at that point you’re usually toast.

You’re roasted. You’re done.”

Gentry’s mastery of handling the ball started early.

Former Saints coach Brian Clodi helped hook him on two-ball dribbling drills as a boy, and

Sandy Bressner – sbressner@shawmedia.com

St. Charles East’s Cole Gentry runs a drill with his teammates during a recent practice. Gentry loves working his crossover moves. hours spent dribbling the ball between his legs, behind his back and in different patterns and tempos afforded him an advanced feel for manipulating the ball.

Gentry has grown increasingly brazen on the attack, sensing few defenders can keep him out of the lane. Whether it’s a quick-twitch surge to the rim or a spin move leading to a bullet pass to a teammate, Gentry’s highlight reel is extensive, with only a handful of bloopers mixed in.

“Obviously you kind of feel silly when [mistakes] happen, but when it works out for you and you make a really nice move and the crowd gets going, it’s just kind of a good feeling

for me,” Gentry said. “It kind of gets the whole team going and the whole crowd going into it, too. The practicality of it is in the sense it’s not just to show off or to make the guy look bad that’s guarding you – a really good crossover move and nice pass into a finish can really change the whole momentum.”

Plenty of high school players uncork crossovers, but Gentry’s knack for shifting gears and directions devastates defenses in a way seldom replicated.

“You can make a crossover but not a lot of people can make a crossover that’s going to get you a basket a lot of times,” Gentry said. “That’s what I

worked on most to try to perfect, not a basic crossover but kind of more of a killer crossover where it’s a scoring move every time you make it.”

While Gentry’s ballhandling theatrics – and the proverbial broken ankles from overwhelmed defenders – often have the Saints’ student section buzzing, Batavia coach Jim Nazos said Gentry is not perceived as a hot-dogging player. Turns out basketball poetry is appreciated by teammates and opponents alike.

“He can do a lot of things with the ball,” Nazos said. “I’ve never really thought of him as a showman. I think of him as a really good guard who’s hard to guard. He’s fluid and

his passing is fluid. You can see with him it has a purpose.

He has something he’s trying to accomplish. It might be keeping a defender off balance or being able to drive and kick and find guys. It’s very smooth to him.”

Key to Gentry’s penchant for puncturing defenses is his ability to react to defenders’ footwork rather than force a premeditated move. And if his man is wobbling even just a bit after his initial foray, an easy basket is probably seconds away.

“If a good defender is on you, most of the time, one move isn’t enough,” said Gentry, who has yet to make a college commitment. “You need to get

Not every team has a deluxe point guard.

Most coaches prefer to see their ball-handlers make a swift, straight-line move to their destination, or better yet, swing the ball before defenses have time to dig in.

But it seems to St. Charles North coach Tom Poulin that’s happening less reliably these days as guards become consumed with the dribble.

“When I was growing up, it was about how few dribbles you could take to get to where you want to be,” Poulin said.

“A lot of kids nowadays, the first thing they do when they catch a basketball is dribble, or dribble 300 times to go six inches to your left.

“That’s a pessimistic view.

There are very skilled ballhandlers out there. I don’t care with our kids how flashy it is as long as it’s functional and you have intent or reason why you’re doing what you’re doing.”

Geneva coach Phil Ralston also has detected an uptick in players seeking to create baskets off the dribble, and thinks fundamental play has slipped as a result.

“It’s really becoming more of a dribble-oriented game, and I think that’s where certain things like passing the ball have really fallen off,” Ralston said. “Kids are not really focused on that. They’re focused on ‘I’m going to beat my man off the dribble and take my guy to the rack.’ There are so many other phases of the game of basketball, especially in a team-oriented setting, that I think certain things like that get overlooked.”

It’s not just over-dribbling that has made the modern game more flamboyant.

While textbook chest passes and bounce passes remain pillars of the sport, many players are perfectly willing

to try whipping a no-look pass through traffic or float a pass off the backboard for a fastbreak dunk.

St. Charles East coach Pat Woods said there is a higher threshold for a play to be considered unsportsmanlike these days.

“Throughout the years it’s really evolved because I can remember when going between your legs used to be considered fancy and showmanship, and now as coaches we teach it as an effective move, so I think a lot of it is perception,” Woods said.

CHASING THE SPECTACULAR

How much creative license coaches extend varies player by player and depends on game situations.

A failed alley-oop pass up by 20 points likely leads to chuckles. The same busted play trailing by three in the fourth quarter meets a frostier reception.

“There’s nothing that’s 100 percent right or 100 percent wrong in basketball,” Ralston said. “That’s why I think certain kids, if we had a Cole Gentry in our program, there are certain things we’d probably let him get away with that other guys we wouldn’t, just because of the fact Cole can do things with the ball that a lot of other kids can’t. So I think as a coach, you have to give some of your better players some leeway as long as they’re doing things that can make them the most efficient player they can be.”

Kaneland coach Brian Johnson said he prefers disciplined play to stabs at grandeur.

“The best passer I’ve coached at Kaneland was probably Ryley Bailey,” Johnson said. “ … He made a ton of nolook passes, did some very nice behind-the-back passes. He had a feel where he could be a little flashier, but [most of our players] have a hard enough time with a 10-foot pass, passing with the outside hand and not having it be deflected by the

defense, so we try to make it as basic as possible.”

Aurora Central Catholic coach Nate Drye’s directive to ball-handlers is to go “north and south, not east or west.”

But beyond that, Drye has no qualms with players looking to make a statement, saying a thunderous dunk or ferocious swat can galvanize a team.

“We want our kids to do stuff like that,” Drye said. “It’s an excitable play. It can really get kids going. Kids want to do special things on the floor.

We’re not sitting there ordering them to throw two-handed chest passes every time. We want them to be special. We encourage that probably more than other people. … We say, be spectacular when you have the chance to be spectacular.”

Woods is all for his Saints playing with pizzazz, so long as games aren’t used for experimentation.

“The key is it’s got to be effective, so if you can’t do something effectively and you haven’t done it in practice, I should never see it in the game,” Woods said. “The other thing is we don’t do things to show people up. To me, the job is to go out and win the game.

There’s no reason to embarrass people intentionally. Now sometimes, unintentionally, guys get embarrassed.”

Whatever their philosophical leanings on flashy play, most coaches have a practical side.

Mundane or miraculous, coaches usually will keep an open mind if the result is favorable.

“If there’s a 2-on-1, I think it’s pretty much every coach’s philosophy, I want the basket,” Nazos said. “If you can be creative and it has purpose, hey, that’s fine, that’s good. If you get a steal and you can go in and dunk it, that’s fine, go ahead and dunk it. If you can two-handed dunk it, go ahead.

“But at the end of the day, if this game is a tight game, we better come away with two points.”

Sandy Bressner file photo – sbressner@shawmedia.com

Batavia’s Shea Bayram drives toward the basket in February during an IHSA Class 4A Addison Trail Sectional Final against Geneva. Her coach, Kevin Jensen, preaches “keep the ball moving.”

Pass it around

Girls hoops coaches preach swift movement

Flashy guard play is more prevalent in the boys game than in girls basketball, and area girls coaches are fine with it staying that way.

Although select players possess the skill sets to dazzle off the bounce or with an explosive jump-stop – recent Division-I recruits Ashley Santos (Geneva) and Liza Fruendt (Batavia) come to mind – girls basketball players are generally more content to make the responsible play.

“Anybody can handle the ball, but what we believe and what we preach is the ball has got to get out of your hands,” St. Charles North girls coach Sean Masoncup said. “We don’t really want to put the ball on the deck that much. We want to get the ball, we want to pass, we want to set screens and

run.”

Masoncup said an absence of playground-style basketball isn’t necessarily a byproduct of players’ inability to pull off fancier moves.

“We have some girls that are pretty athletic,” Masoncup said. “Nichole Davidson can do a lot of those things. We try to limit what we do with the basketball in terms of dribbling and going 1-on-1.”

Batavia girls coach Kevin Jensen said swift ball movement is the best path to breaking down a defense.

“If anything, we’re preaching more keep the ball moving with the pass, whether it’s to push the fast break or just keep it in the air,” Jensen said. “That’s just kind of the way we operate.”

– Jay Schwab and Kevin Druley

• Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Sizzling moves sometimes too hot to handle

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Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, November 19, 2014

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Transfers discovering new roles North’s Jakaitis, Geneva’s Fuzak brothers headline newcomers

By KEVIN DRULEY

C

kdruley@shawmedia.com

laire Jakaitis’ first season with the St. Charles North girls basketball team only started two weeks ago, and yet she can’t keep from beaming about endings.

Along with the optimism that comes with joining an experienced North core and wondering what might be this winter, the junior transfer from Montini loves what happens when practice is over.

“It’s nice. I get to be home with my family all the time,” Jakaitis said. “Before, I was home at 6 [p.m.], and on the weekends I would be like, ‘Oh, what happened this week, guys?’ because I was never home. So now I’m in the loop all the time.”

A 6-foot-2 post who played alongside a few North Stars as she grew up in District 303 schools, Jakaitis personifies all transfers’ quest for comfort. Sometimes, it’s found in one move. Sometimes, it’s two or more (remember the brothers Cully and Quinten Payne?). In every case, being at ease with your new teammates and surroundings is the goal.

Jakaitis’ background quickened the transition, to be sure.

North Stars coach Sean Masoncup was one of her Haines Middle School physical education teachers. Junior Morgan Rosencrants played alongside Jakaitis in middle school, then in the early stages of AAU ball.

In cases like this, even the incumbents can experience a full-circle feeling that usually is reserved for transfers.

“It’s been a big difference, the steps that we’ve taken and how much our own personal skills have improved,” Rosencrants said. “Coming back together, being able to play together is definitely going to help our team a lot.”

At Geneva, brothers Bennett and Chandler Fuzak transferred to the boys team, adding further depth to a loaded frontcourt.

Like Jakaitis, the Fuzaks came from a private school to their hometown high school. Unlike Jakaitis, the former Wheaton Academy pillars hadn’t lived in this particular hometown very long.

Home-schooled until high school, the Fuzaks – 6-10 senior Chandler and 6-7 junior Bennett – relocated from Naperville to Geneva about a year ago.

They took quickly to their new surroundings, with Chandler Fuzak (D-II

Sandy Bressner – sbressner@shawmedia.com

St. Charles North’s Claire Jakaitis recently transferred from Montini.

West Texas A&M recruit) continuing to multitask as a musical theater participant, prompting Vikings coach Phil Ralston to brand him “kind of a different cat.”

Outside interests notwithstanding, the brothers enter a program that is coming off a banner 2013-14 season

that saw the Vikings eighty-six a 28-year-old regional title drought.

While their addition fuels preseason buzz, it also adds more considerations on Ralston’s part.

“The challenges of having the two young men come in is we did have a group of returning seniors that were

pretty strong and tight-knit after going through the grind of last year,” Ralston said. “You always worry if there’s going to be any jealousy. You worry about rotations, how does their play affect maybe others, how will those kids react. But you take those things on as you come and you try to get people focused on why they’re playing the game – for Geneva – and get them to understand when we all work together, it’s amazing what we can achieve.”

Emily Lasse of the Batavia girls team afforded coach Kevin Jensen more time to ponder her place in the rotation. A junior forward, Lasse and her family moved from Texas midway through the 2013-14 school year.

Ineligible to play down the stretch last season, Lasse still practiced and developed an early rapport with her teammates-to-be.

Jakaitis’ arrival led Masoncup to do some lineup shuffling. Knowing most of his returners could play multiple positions as Jakaitis sets up camp in the post, some forwards became guards and some guards became forwards while “versatility” became a popular camp buzzword.

The moves aren’t fazing the North Stars as they welcome Jakaitis back.

A freshman sister, Kelly, also is in the North basketball pipeline. She’s also part of the carpool, a happy novelty that comes when you transfer to be closer to home.

“I had friends that I had in middle school and I came back and they’re my friends now,” Claire Jakaitis said.

“So it’s not like a completely different place. They’re all really nice.”

The Fuzaks may not be as rooted with their Geneva teammates, but they never hesitated in taking the proper steps to build a base.

Another transfer principle: it’s hard to feel completely at ease if you’re the new player just keeping to yourself.

“I have to say both the boys have been extremely impressive, not just for what I think they can offer the team and their ability to play the game and their size, but they’ve been the type of kids we want in our program,” Ralston said. “They’re good teammates, they’re vocal, they congratulate their teammates, they enjoy being around their teammates. They’re very high-quality character kids, and interesting, too.”

• Sports editor Jay Schwab contributed to this report.

BOYS BASKETBALL SCOUTING REPORTS 2014-2015.… Froedden also has to learn a new league all over again in year two as the Warriors enter their first year in the tougher Metro Suburban Conference. … Smith will be counted on to score more this season, switching over to the 2-guard position. … Despite the key losses, Froedden hopes his motion offense will help put points on the board. Froedden installed the offense last year but the Warriors only ran a limited version. They’ll look to open it up more in 2014-2015. … After the four returning starters, Froedden says at least another eight players are in the mix to see steady playing time… Smith (6-foot-3) and Sandberg could be one of the better guard combos in the conference. … Forwards Evan Williams and Jacob Lindstedt bring experience and should be key cogs this season.

Hot handles: Froedden says Sandberg “has a tremendous feel for the game and sees people and understands where the ball needs to get to.”

Bottom line: Despite absorbing huge losses via graduation and transfer, Froedden is upbeat about the Warriors’ chances. Developing depth will be key if the Warriors hope to compete in what should be a tougher conference slate.

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• Wednesday, November 19, 2014 adno=0296203

we get everyone back, this could be one of our better defensive groups once we put the pressure on,” Ward said. … St. Francis will be thin inside after losing Kilian Brown to graduation but Ward predicts the Spartans will have a good shooting team, and the Spartans will get better as the year goes on based on having to wait for several football players to return after the Spartans’ playoff run comes to a close.

Hot handles: Two-sport athlete Sullivan is a “tough-nosed kid” according to Ward and “is a really good floor-leader. He just kind of leads by having a nice presence and has a lot of competitive experience.”

Bottom line: The Spartans will look to Sandy Bressner file photo – sbressner@shawmedia.com bounce back after a relatively down year Wheaton Academy’s Christian Smith gets a

by Ward’s high standards. Big years from shot up during a Geneva Summer League Shaw and Sullivan will be expected as St. game against St. Charles East in June.

Francis will look to channel its usual grit Returning starters: Christian Smith, and toughness.

Sr., G; Bryce Sandberg, Sr., G Scouting the Warriors: Froedden WHEATON ACADEMY WARRIORS begins year two at Wheaton AcadAbout coach Pete Froedden: Froedemy without his top two scorers in den enters his second season with the Warriors Gordon Behr (Hillsdale College) and Josh Ruggles (transferred to Wheawith a 20-5 record. ton-Warrenville South), along with Last year’s record: towering brothers Chandler and Bennett 20-5 overall, 10-0 SCC Gold. Lost, 59-56, to Sycamore in Class Fuzak (both transferred to Geneva), 3A Genoa-Kingston Regional final. giving the Warriors a whole new look in

PREP BASKETBALL PREVIEW | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

ST. FRANCIS SPARTANS About coach Bob Ward: Ward enters his fourth season with the Spartans with a 57-26 record.

Last year’s record: 15-10 overall, 5-5 SCC Blue. Lost, 73-57, to Marmion in Class 3A Kaneland Regional semifinal.

Returning starters: Jason Sullivan, Sr, G. Scouting the Spartans: Ward has enjoyed an incredible amount of success since joining St. Francis but only returns one starter from a year ago in Sullivan. Despite the team’s lack of experience, Ward believes the current Spartans have the same ‘it-factor’ that his first two teams had that advanced deep into March. …

After losing nine seniors, the Spartans will look to re-load with players like Mike Shaw (6-foot-3) and Clint Bobowski to help pick up the slack. Ward thought Shaw stood out at the end of last season and played exceptional in the summer. …The Spartans’ incoming junior class finished 24-1 at the sophomore level last year. One of those juniors, Dan Malek, might push Sullivan to the two-guard spot. … A trio of 6-3 juniors – Will Purdom, Dan Johnson, Nick Cooney – are all shooters that Ward likes to deploy on the perimeter. … “Once

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, November 19, 2014

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GIRLS BASKETBALL SCOUTING REPORTS AURORA CENTRAL CATHOLIC CHARGERS About coach Mark Fitzgerald: Fitzgerald enters his seventh season with the Chargers with an 85-85 record.

Last year’s record: 11-15 overall, 5-5 SCC Blue. Lost, 55-34, to Hampshire in Class 3A Aurora Central Catholic Regional semifinal.

Returning starters: Gabi Alfaro, Sr., G; Alex Horton, Sr., F; Kalie Soris, Sr., G; Alex Sundberg, Sr., G. Scouting the Chargers: Senior frontcourt staples Natalie Droeske (243) and Horton (228) rank fourth and fifth, respectively, on the program’s career rebounding list. … Droeske (6-2), sophomore center Taylor Harazin (6-3) and 6-2 St. Charles North sophomore transfer Sabrina Ganofsky comprise the Chargers’ biggest front line in the Fitzgerald era. For Fitzgerald, the fun part is having all those options to tinker with, as an experienced core of guards jells with the posts. “We’re trying to establish that inside-outside game with uptempo transition,” Fitzgerald said. “We keep our turnovers down and keep our pressure up defensively, it could be a real fun season for us.” …

Sophomore point guard Alex Johnston, a Wheaton Academy transfer from St. Charles, aug-

ments ACC’s guard play. … Junior forward Veronica LaVia has developed as an outside threat. … Fitzgerald on moving into the Metro Suburban Conference: “A lot of schools to go scout, new schools, but we’re excited about that opportunity, as well.” … ACC tested itself in summer and fall leagues against several bigger schools, including Naperville Central, Fenwick, Lockport and Montini. “That experience of competing and competing favorably is very encouraging,” Fitzgerald said.

Hot handles: Program veterans Alfaro and Soris will share ball handling duties. Fitzgerald said he’s “extremely comfortable” with the way the duo operates Bottom line: ACC migrates to a new conference, but expects to play the same up-tempo brand of ball while getting over .500 for the first time since 2011-12.

Brown, Sr., F; Sami Hultine, Jr., G; Kirsten Madsen, Jr., G. Scouting the Eagles: Seven players have been on the roster for the Eagles’ back-to-back regional championships the past two seasons. … Brown, a rebounding dynamo, has worked on her explosiveness to the basket. ... Wilkie coached the ACS sophomores to a 20-3 record in 2013-14. … Junior Ashley Hochsprung, a product of Kaneland schools, is making the transition to guard. “If she was about four or five inches taller, she’d probably be one of the best post players in the state, Wilkey said. “She’s about a savvy as a post player as you’ll ever see. The problem is, she goes about 5-5.” … Carey Tokars is the niece of the Eagles’ former coach. ... The Eagles will play Suburban Christian Conference holdovers Rosary, St. Francis and Montini in home-and-home AURORA CHRISTIAN EAGLES series before joining the Chicago About coach Burney Wilkie: Catholic League in 2015-16.

The former Ea- “You’re kind of just hoping to gles assistant navigate and go 3-3 or 4-2, and sophoyou know,” Wilkie said. ... Paris more coach Chaney, one of two freshmen on is in his first the team, comes from Batavia’s season guiding the program.

Rotolo Middle School. … Junior Last season’s record: 15-14 post Gabby Galbato will see inoverall, 4-6 SCC. Lost, 62-26, to creased minutes and is expected Byron in Class 2A Aurora Chris- to shoulder some of the leadertian Sectional semifinal. ship load with Brown, Madsen Returning starters: Natasha and senior Alyssa Hernandez.

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Hot handles: Hultine and classmate Tokars – both Geneva Middle School North products, will share ballhandling duties as Wilkie favors a three-guard lineup.

Bottom line: Armed with experienced personnel and plenty of optimism, the Eagles could be a threat in the 2A postseason if they can keep progressing.

season. … Jensen called sophomore guard Mackenzie Foster “a big spark for us” and said she could be elevated into a starter. …

Junior forward Jessica Koch, one of 11 returners overall, is “probably our best shooter,” Jensen said. …

Bayram, Frazier and Orman were among those who flexed their muscles alongside the football team during an offseason “Big Dogs” workout that incorporated BATAVIA BULLDOGS ropes and other non- weightAbout coach Kevin Jensen: based exercises. ... The Bulldogs Jensen enters will play their Thanksgiving tourhis fourth season nament at Trinity after Morton with the Bulldogs officials did not ask them back. with a 52-35 Batavia missed part of the tourney record. slate to watch the football team in Last season’s the 2013 Class 6A state champirecord: 21-10 overall, 10-2 onship game. “I kind of told them Upstate Eight Conference River this is what we’re doing,” Jensen Division. Lost, 48-24, to Geneva in said of tournament officials, “and Class 4A Addison Trail Sectional if it happened 10 more times, final. we’d still do it.” ... Batavia’s roster Returning starters: Shea expanded to 16 players, growing Bayram, Jr., F; Hannah Frazier, Jr., from 11 last season and eight in F; Bethany Orman, Jr., G. 2012-13.

Scouting the Bulldogs: Frazier, Hot handles: Orman, who who has received scholarship moved from the Bulldogs’ top offers from Southern Illinois and reserve as a freshman into a startValparaiso, has started every ing spot last season, takes over as game since her freshman season. full-time point guard. … Junior forward Emily Lasse Bottom line: Even with Liza brings more familiarity than your Fruendt now at Missouri State, average transfer. Lasse moved another 20-win season isn’t out with her family from Texas midof the question. Jensen and Co. way through last school year, and need the program’s growth trend although ineligible to play, practo continue as every player moves ticed during the second half of the into an increased role.

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returns seven of its top eight rotation players, many with starting experience.

The addition of Montini transfer Claire Jakaitis, a 6-foot-2 post, will prompt some lineup shuffling, but Masoncup lauds the team’s adaptability. “I think that’ll be tough for teams to scout, No. 1, and be able to guard against because we have such a versatile lineup,” he said. … Despite some position tweaks, North still favors a wide-open style. “We’re a high-running team,” Davidson said. …

Rosencrants and Jakaitis will have some young reinforcements in the rebounding battle. Sophomore guard/forward Sami Sample is 5-10, sophomore forward Lizzy Olsem is 5-11 and freshman post Anna Davern stands 6-2. “I think that we’re getting better at our rebounding,” Masoncup said. “I don’t think that it was a weak spot last year, but I think we’re improving on that, and we’re really Sean King file photo for Shaw Media St. Charles North’s Sam Novak (right) pushes the ball up the court Dec. 28 against Burlington working on girls changing to different positions.” … Jakaitis had Masoncup Central’s Kayla Ross (left) at the Dundee-Crown Christmas tournament in Carpentersville. as a middle school physical education ST. CHARLES NORTH NORTH STARS teacher. ... North will face Fenwick in the – and Stephanie Hart: “They get the About coach Sean Masoncup: A forgame of basketball. They have great Chicagoland Invitational Showcase at mer North boys assisballhandling skills. They can create.

Fremd on Jan. 10. tant, he’s in his second They can both shoot. They’re going to Hot handles: Masoncup stresses that season at the helm of be good, solid players for us.” each player is adept at handling the ball, the girls program.

Hot handles: Whitley and Hart will including Davidson, who will shift to Last season’s share ballhandling duties for the Vikings, primarily play guard. “In the open floor, record: 14-13 overall, 7-5 Upstate Eight who return most of their experience in Nichole is a pretty good ballplayer,” Conference River Division. Lost, 60-38, the frontcourt. Junior Ashley Shogren Masoncup said. to Bartlett in Class 4A Glenbard East will figure into the mix, as well.

Bottom line: Expect the North Stars Regional semifinal.

Bottom line: Another lengthy run to surge well above the .500 mark and Returning starters: Nichole Davidson, be a factor for a conference title. The through the 4A postseason is on Sr., G/F; Ashling Davern, Sr., G; Sam Nothe Vikings’ itinerary as long as the team seizes on Masoncup’s energy and vak, Sr., G; Morgan Rosencrants, Jr., F. newcomers ably acclimate to game is eager to let that optimism last for Scouting the North Stars: North speed and Geneva’s pace. awhile.

PREP BASKETBALL PREVIEW | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

GENEVA VIKINGS About coach Sarah Meadows: Meadows enters her fourth season with the Vikings with a 69-24 record.

Last season’s record: 26-7 overall, 10-2 Upstate Eight Conference River Division. Lost, 45-34, to Marian Catholic in Class 4A third-place game.

Returning starters: Grace Loberg, So., C; Janie McCloughan, Sr., F. Abby Novak, Sr., F. Scouting the Vikings: Expect a rotation in flux at the start of the season. “We could have 1,000 different lineups, to be honest with you,” Meadows said. “We haven’t nailed anything down yet.” … McCloughan (foot), a Southern Indiana recruit, was limited at the start of practice but is expected to be at full strength when games begin. … Junior forward Taylor Williams likely is out for the season after tearing her ACL during club soccer play in the offseason. … Loberg, also a girls volleyball standout, enjoyed about a week of rest before reporting to practice last week. … Senior guard Kate Rogers “looks great,” Meadows said, while classmate Courtney Reynolds has made strides with her outside shooting.

“We’ve got some kids we’ll need to replace, and the kids we have will be able to do it,” Meadows said. “Just more reps, you know. More practice.” … Meadows on the tandem of freshmen guards Margaret Whitley – the younger sister of former standout guard Taylor

GIRLS BASKETBALL SCOUTING REPORTS KANELAND KNIGHTS About coach Ernie Colombe: He’s 92-190 in eight seasons with the Knights.

Last season’s record: 14-15 overall, 5-5 Northern Illinois Big 12 East. Lost, 40-20, to Sycamore in Class 3A Plano Regional final.

Returning starters: Camri Conley, Jr., G; Aly Van Bogaert, Sr., F Scouting the Knights: Junior forward Vanessa Gould suffered a season-ending knee injury early in 2013-14, but has recovered to become “one of our best allaround players,” Colombe said. … Verstaile junior post Bailey Crimmins, who stands 6-foot-2, is primed for a breakthrough after seeing limited minutes last season. “She has a nice touch,” Colombe said, “but she has a pretty good back-to-the basket game, which is not as common in the girls game.” … Sophomore Morgan Weber adds to the Knights’ deep stable of guards and should be a threat as a longrange shooter. … Speedy senior guard Emily Grams enjoyed a strong summer. … Senior forward Taylor Eaves also should see her minutes go up. The Aurora Christian transfer got a feel for the program last season. … After some conference shuffling enter-

ing the school year left both NI Big 12 Divisions with five teams, the league schedule will expand.

It will now comprise 13 games: a home-and-home series with each division team and one game apiece against each team from the other side. … Kaneland will host a shootout on Feb. 7 that includes West Aurora, Glenbard North, Aurora Central Catholic, Marian Catholic and Marshall.

Hot handles: Conley looks to run the offense after playing shooting guard as a sophomore.

“I think her natural position is the point. She played the point throughout her years coming up,” Colombe said. “She’s an athletic kid and she’s gotten a lot stronger.”

Bottom line: Defense and depth remain the Knights’ buzzwords, but the team is determined to refine its half-court scoring attack to go with its transition game, too.

semifinal.

Returning starters: Megan Conlin, Sr., F; Quincy Kellett, Sr., G; Adrienne Winkel, Sr., F. Scouting the Royals: Conlin, the team’s leading scorer and rebounder when she tore her ACL last December, returns at full strength. In the fall, she was part of a Royals doubles tandem that advanced to the IHSA girls tennis state tournament. “She’s looking strong and playing well,” Terrell said. … Kellett, a multisport standout who also plays soccer, has grown into a knowledgeable floor manager after first relying on raw speed to help her get by. ... 5-foot-7 senior Priscilla Betzelos will fill what Terrell called an “in-between” role, as she works to bring her post physicality up to speed with her finesse moves.

“Priscilla has put a lot of time in her game and improved a lot,” Terrell said. … Winkel will be the team’s “backbone and our vocal leader,” Terrell said. … Rosary ROSARY ROYALS scheduled several traditional About coach Jessie Terrell: small school powers – namely The former Plano and Hinckley-Big Rock – to Jessie Wilcox, help fill the void for a meager married in July, Suburban Christian Conference enters her third slate. “I think we have a pretty season at Rosary with a 29-25 good schedule now put togethrecord. er,” Terrell said.

Last season’s record: 13-14 Hot handles: Terrell is amped overall, 5-5 SCC Blue. Lost, about Kellett’s progression in 60-36, to St. Edward in Class 3A the role as primary ballhandler.

Aurora Central Catholic Regional “She’s kind of our heart of our

team,” Terrell said. “She makes us go and brings a lot of energy both on the offensive and defensive ends.”

Bottom line: With three sophomores and two freshmen on the roster, the Royals are younger than usual. An eclectic schedule will offer them plenty of chances to grow up alongside some dependable veterans.

incredibly hard, and she’s brought an energy to the team that has kind of been contagious.” …

Kelly Rinker will handle most of the Saints’ tougher defensive assignments. ... Sophomore guard Samantha Munroe impressed with her energy during summer league play. … Claussner spent extra time during the summer and fall to correct some shooting yips that sprouted at times last ST. CHARLES EAST SAINTS season. … Washington (Southern About coach Lori Drumtra: Illinois-Edwardsville) and senior Drumtra forward Chloe John (NAIA Ave enters her 10th Maria in Florida) join Claussner as season at East college recruits. … After waiting with a 136-127 until early January to play its first record. home game last season, East Last is scheduled to host St. Charles season’s record: 13-14 overall, North, West Chicago and Geneva 5-6 Upstate Eight Conference in conference play in December. …

River Division. Lost, 58-56, to Drumtra on the conference race: “I Willowbrook in Class 4A Batavia expect us to be right in the mix.”

Regional semifinal.

Hot handles: Claussner, comReturning starters: Katie mitted to NCAA Division III WashClaussner, Sr., G; Kyra Washing- ington University (St. Louis), ton, Sr., G/F. continues a strong line of point Scouting the Saints: The Saints guards under Drumtra. “She’s still boast their usual supply of going to be a hard kid to defend, backcourt athleticism, but now I think,” Drumtra said. “She really tout a quartet of 6-footers to keeps the ball moving.” boot. Washington (6-1) leads the Bottom line: East came fruspack, which also includes juniors tratingly close to getting another Gabriele Butkute and Kathleen crack at Batavia in regionals Townsend and freshman Sara last season. Now the Saints are Rosenfeldt. … Rosenfeldt will primed to compete with the Bulllog consistent minutes. “She’s dogs and the rest of a Tri-Cities going to contribute right off the -led UEC River before embarking bat,” Drumtra said. “She works on a deep playoff run.

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GIRLS BASKETBALL SCOUTING REPORTS the Dundee-Crown tournament at Christmastime and will play in January’s McDonald’s Shootout at Willowbrook. As usual, it’s all in the name of bolstering that postseason resume. “Those are going to be some really top 4A schools that are really great competition for us going forward,” Smith said. … The Rockets have won 25 consecutive Big Northern Conference East games.

Hot handles: Also a defensive force, Ross excelled as the team’s point guard last season before boosting her skills in the challenging Trinity summer league.

Bottom line: From Rocket Hill to Redbird Arena or bust. BC expects no less than a return to state this time around, and is eager to move up the podium by a spot or three.

Hot handles: After taking a year off, Riccolo returns and according to Phillips has a “really high basketball IQ. She’s the kind of kid you’d want to have as your point guard.”

Bottom line: St. Francis has a nice mix of returnees and newcomers to make a serious run at a regional championship in 2014-2015. Sproat is a legitimate scoring threat and is joined by newcomers Walker and Riccolo to anchor a sneaky Spartans squad.

lot of expectations after earning co-Player of the Year honors in the SCC a year ago.… Garrison (6-foot-4) is a true big and has ample varsity experience. The senior is looking to have a big year with hopes of playing at the next level. … A wild-card for the Warriors is sophomore guard Izzy McNally, who sat out her freshman year after tearing her ACL. … Mitchell likes the depth at the guard position with Netzley, McNally and newcomer Liana Ledesma expected to play the bulk of the minutes. … With WHEATON added guard depth, Mitchell ACADEMY wants her team to play fast to WARRIORS turn defense into offense. … The About coach Warriors will see familiar SCC Beth Mitchell: foes St. Edward, Immaculate Mitchell enters Conception and Aurora Central her eighth season with the War- Catholic along with bigger public riors with an 118-78 record. teams like Riverside-Brookfield, Last year’s record: 16-10 Fenton and Glenbard South. overall, 8-3 SCC. Lost, 58-41, to Hot handles: Three-year Nazareth Academy in Class 3A varsity starter Netzley returns Timothy Christian Regional final. for her junior year and Mitchell Returning starters: Jamie is “thankful to have her.” Netzley Netzley, Jr., G; Christina Garrican push the ball but will also be son, Sr., F; Elizabeth Melby, Jr., F. counted on to get the ball inside Scouting the Warriors: to Garrison.

Wheaton Academy returns only Bottom line: The Warriors’ four players from last year’s first season in the Metro Suburteam that advanced to the ban Conference will be a major regional final. With such a young test with just four returning team, Mitchell said key returnplayers with varsity experience. ers Netzley and Garrison will be Speed and quickness defencounted on even more. … Netz- sively will be the major keys to ley enters her junior year with a success, according to Mitchell.

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• Wednesday, November 19, 2014

ST. FRANCIS SPARTANS About coach Mike Phillips: Phillips enters his third season with the Spartans.

Last year’s record: 13-15 overall, 10-0 SCC Gold. Lost, 49-33, to Glenbard South in Class 3A St. Francis Regional final.

Returning starters: Elinor Cycenas Sr., G; Reagan Sproat, Jr., F; Leah Riccolo, Jr., G; Mia

Mazza, So., G. Scouting the Spartans: St. Francis finds itself in a bridge year, playing in the watered-down SCC. Defections have left only four teams – Montini, Rosary, Aurora Christian, St. Francis – to play out the final year of the conference before the Spartans move on to the GCAC. St. Francis has a tough non-conference slate with rival Wheaton Academy on the schedule along with Wheaton North and defending state champion Montini twice. …

Sproat returns after a fantastic sophomore campaign in which she averaged a double-double while drawing plenty of double-teams. … Riccolo gave Phillips ‘one of the best pieces of news he’s had in a while,’ as the junior decided to play basketball again after taking a year off. Phillips called Riccolo an amazing athlete and someone who works on her game all of the time. … Freshman Antwainette Walker (5-foot-10) will start in her first season on varsity and adds scoring punch to the Spartans’ lineup. “She’s a hybrid player that’s real athletic and runs the floor well and gives us scoring presence in the post that we haven’t had in a while.,” he said. … St. Francis is looking to capture its first regional championship in 10 years.

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BURLINGTON CENTRAL ROCKETS About coach Mark Smith: Smith enters his third season with the Rockets with a 55-11 record.

Last season’s record: 27-9 overall, 12-0 Big Northern Conference East. Lost, 64-40, to Quincy Notre Dame in Class 3A third-place game.

Returning starters: Alison Colby, Sr., F; Sam Cruz, Jr., G; Shelby Holt, Jr., G; Sam Pryor, Jr., F; Kayla Ross, Jr., G. Scouting the Rockets: Ten returners are back, as the team graduated just one senior. …

Lingering offseason injuries to Cruz (broken hand) and Pryor (sore knee) will force the Rockets to cultivate their depth early.

Both players are expected back within a month. “No one’s going to feel sorry for us, but we’re a little bit shorthanded right now,” Smith said. … One new face, sophomore guard Kristina Ahlers, is a quick and physical force. “She can really get to the hole and make things happen, but frankly, there’s kids ahead of her,” Smith said. ... A Jan. 31 visit to Montini was scheduled before the programs met in a memorable 3A state semifinal last season, a game the Broncos won, 34-26. … BC again is ticketed for

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, November 19, 2014

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2014-2015 GIRLS BASKETBALL SCHEDULES 6 p.m.

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Batavia Nov. 17 vs. Proviso East at Trinity Tournament 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 19 vs. Christ the King at Trinity Tournament 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 21 vs. Trinity at Trinity Tournament 8 p.m.

Nov. 25 at Elgin 7:15 p.m.

Nov. 28 at Trinity Tournament TBA Nov. 29 at Trinity Tournament TBA Dec. 4 vs. West Chicago 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 6 vs. Geneva 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 9 vs. Streamwood 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 12 vs. St. Charles East 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 13 at Oswego Tournament TBA Dec. 15 at Oswego Tournament TBA Dec. 17 at Oswego Tournament TBA Dec. 20 at Oswego Tournament TBA Dec. 26 at Montini Tournament TBA Dec. 27 at Montini Tournament TBA Dec. 29 at Montini Tournament TBA Dec. 30 at Montini Tournament TBA Jan. 9 vs. St. Charles North 5:45 p.m.

Jan. 11 vs. Marist at Fremd Noon Jan. 15 at West Chicago 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 17 at Willowbrook McDonald’s Classic TBA Jan. 22 at Geneva 5:45 p.m.

Jan. 24 at Streamwood 2:30 p.m.

Jan. 29 vs. Elgin 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 31 at St. Charles East 6 p.m.

Feb. 6 vs. Larkin 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 10 at Larkin 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 12 at St. Charles North 7:15 p.m.

Follow online For updates from the area girls and boys basketball scene throughout the 2014-15 season, follow us on Twitter @ KaneCountyPreps.

Burlington Central Nov. 18 vs. Crystal Lake Central at BC Tournament 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 19 vs. Oak Forest at BC Tournament 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 22 vs. Woodstock at BC Tournament 9 a.m.

Nov. 22 vs. Belvidere North at BC Tournament 3 p.m.

Nov. 24 at BC Tournament TBA Dec. 5 vs. Byron 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 9 at Richmond-Burton 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 13 vs. North Boone 7 p.m.

Dec. 15 at Rockford Christian 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 26 at Dundee-Crown Tournament TBA Dec. 27 at Dundee-Crown Tournament TBA Dec. 29 at Dundee-Crown Tournament TBA Dec. 30 at Dundee-Crown Tournament TBA Jan. 6 at Johnsburg 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 9 vs. Harvard 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 10 at Chicagoland Showcase TBA Jan. 17 at Willowbrook McDonald’s Classic TBA Jan. 21 at North Boone 7 p.m.

Jan. 23 vs. Rockford Christian 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 24 at Genoa-Kingston 6 p.m.

Jan. 27 vs. Johnsburg 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 29 at Marengo 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 31 at Montini 6 p.m.

Feb. 3 at Harvard 7 p.m.

Feb. 6 vs. Genoa-Kingston 7 p.m.

Feb. 9 vs. Richmond-Burton 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 10 vs Marengo 7:15 p.m.

Geneva Nov. 22 vs. Oak Lawn at Glenbard East Tournament 3 p.m.

Nov. 24 vs. Andrew at Glenbard East Tournament 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 25 vs. Downers Grove North at Glenbard East Tournament 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 26 at Glenbard East Tournament TBA Dec. 4 at St. Charles North 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 6 at Batavia 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 12 vs. West Chicago 5:45 p.m.

Dec. 13 at St. Charles East 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 17 vs. Glenbard North 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 19 vs. Streamwood 5:45 p.m.

Dec. 20 at Elgin TBA Dec. 26 at Montini Tournament TBA Dec. 27 at Montini Tournament TBA Dec. 29 at Montini Tournament TBA Dec. 30 at Montini Tournament TBA Jan. 9 vs. Larkin 5:45 p.m.

Jan. 10 at Chicagoland Showcase TBA Jan. 16 vs. St. Charles North 5:45 p.m.

Jan. 17 at Willowbrook McDonald’s Classic TBA Jan. 22 vs. Batavia 5:45 p.m.

Jan. 23 at West Chicago 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 24 vs. St. Charles East 6 p.m.

Jan. 29 at Streamwood 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 6 vs. Elgin 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 12 at Larkin 7:15 p.m.

Kaneland Nov. 22 vs. TBD at IC Catholic Prep Tourn.

Nov. 25 vs. TBD at IC Catholic Prep Tourn.

Nov. 26 at IC Catholic Prep Tourn.

Nov. 28 vs. TBD at IC Catholic Prep Tourn.

Dec. 5 at Morris Dec. 9 at Sycamore Dec. 12 vs. DeKalb Dec. 19 at Ottawa Tournament Dec. 20 at Ottawa Tournament

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Nov. 18 Nov. 20 Nov. 21 Nov. 22 Dec. 1 Dec. 2 Dec. 5 Dec. 9 Dec. 16 Dec. 20 Dec. 26 Dec. 27 Dec. 29 Jan. 6 Jan. 8 Jan. 10 Jan. 17 Jan. 20 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 2 Feb. 3 Feb. 6 Feb. 9

Rosary at IMSA Invitational at IMSA Invitational at IMSA Invitational at IMSA Invitational vs. West Aurora vs. Montini at IC Catholic Prep at Nazareth vs. Aurora C. Catholic vs. Aurora Christian at Dixon Tournament at Dixon Tournament at Dixon Tournament at Kaneland at St. Francis vs. Plano at Regina Dominican vs. Oswego East at Gordon Tech at Montini at Aurora Christian at Hinckley Big-Rock vs. St. Francis vs. St. Edward vs. Plainfield Central

St. Charles East Nov. 18 vs. Wheaton-Warrenville South at Schaumburg Invite Nov. 20 vs. Rockford Boylan at Schaumburg Invite Nov. 22 vs. Evanston at Schaumburg Invite Nov. 25 vs. Schaumburg at Schaumburg Invite Nov. 28 vs. Stevenson at Schaumburg Invite Dec. 4 at Larkin Dec. 6 vs. St. Charles North Dec. 12 at Batavia Dec. 13 vs. Geneva Dec. 18 vs. West Chicago Dec. 20 at Streamwood Dec. 22 at Wheaton N. Falcon Classic Dec. 23 at Wheaton N. Falcon Classic Dec. 26 at Wheaton N. Falcon Classic Dec. 27 at Wheaton N. Falcon Classic Jan. 3 at Evanston Jan. 9 vs. Elgin Jan. 17 at St. Charles North Jan. 20 vs. Conant Jan. 22 vs. Bartlett Jan. 24 at Geneva Jan. 29 at West Chicago Jan. 31 vs. Batavia Feb. 3 vs. Larkin Feb. 6 vs. Streamwood Feb. 12 at Elgin St. Charles North Nov. 17 vs. Washington at Pontiac Tournament Nov. 21 vs. Pontiac at Pontiac Tournament Nov. 22 vs. Champaign Centennial at Pontiac Tournament Nov. 22 vs. La Salle-Peru at Pontiac Tournament Dec. 4 vs. Geneva Dec. 6 at St. Charles East Dec. 12 vs. Streamwood Dec. 13 vs. Elgin Dec. 18 vs. Larkin Dec. 26 at Dundee-Crown Tournament Dec. 27 at Dundee-Crown Tournament Dec. 29 at Dundee-Crown Tournament Dec. 30 at Dundee-Crown Tournament

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Jan. 6 Jan. 9 Jan. 10 Jan. 16 Jan. 17 Jan. 20 Jan. 23 Jan. 24 Jan. 27 Jan. 29 Feb. 6 Feb. 10 Feb. 12

vs. Glenbard North at Batavia at Chicagoland Showecase at Geneva vs. St. Charles East vs. Hoffman Estates at Streamwood at Elgin at West Chicago at Larkin vs. West Chicago vs. Glenbard South vs. Batavia

St. Francis Nov. 20 vs. St. Joseph at Willowbrook Invite Nov. 21 vs. Walther Christian at Willowbrook Invite Nov. 22 vs. Willowbrook at Willowbrook Invite Nov. 25 vs. Plainfield East at Willowbrook Invite Nov. 26 vs. East Aurora at Willowbrook Invite Dec. 1 at Aurora Christian Dec. 6 vs. St. Ignatius Dec. 8 vs. Wheaton Academy Dec. 13 at Wheaton North Dec. 26 at Lisle Holiday Classic Dec. 27 at Lisle Holiday Classic Dec. 29 at Lisle Holiday Classic Dec. 30 at Lisle Holiday Classic Jan. 6 vs. Montini Jan. 8 vs. Rosary Jan. 10 at Walther Christian Jan. 12 vs. IC Catholic Prep Jan. 17 at Manny’s Shootout Jan. 20 vs. Niles North Jan. 23 vs. Aurora Christian Jan. 24 vs. Glenbard South Jan. 27 at Marian Central Jan. 29 vs. Westminster Feb. 3 at Rosary Feb. 5 at Montini Feb. 7 at Glenbard West Feb. 9 at Wheaton Academy Wheaton Academy Nov. 17 vs.

Newark at Somonauk Tournament Nov. 18 vs.

Somonauk at Somonauk Tournament Nov. 19 vs.

Seneca at Somonauk Tournament Nov. 21 vs.

Serena at Somonauk Tournament Dec. 2 at IC Catholic Prep Dec. 4 vs. St. Edward Dec. 6 at Lisle Dec. 8 at St. Francis Dec. 13 vs. Marian Central Dec. 17 vs. Aurora Central Catholic Dec. 26 at Lisle Holiday Classic Dec. 27 at Lisle Holiday Classic Dec. 29 at Lisle Holiday Classic Dec. 30 at Lislle Holiday Classic Jan. 20 vs. IC Catholic Prep Jan. 24 at Fenton Jan. 26 vs. Aurora Christian Jan. 29 at Riverside-Brookfield Jan. 31 at Glenbard South Feb. 3 at Aurora Central Catholic Feb. 5 vs. Fenton Feb. 7 vs. Riverside-Brookfield Feb. 9 vs. St. Francis Feb. 12 vs. Glenbard South Feb. 14 at St. Edward

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• Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Aurora Christian Nov. 18 vs. Reed-Custer at ACS/IMSA Tourn.

Nov. 20 vs. Timothy Christian at ACS/IMSA Tourn.

Nov. 21 vs. Yorkville at ACS/IMSA Tourn.

Nov. 25 at Harvest Christian Nov. 29 at Serena Dec. 1 vs. St. Francis Dec. 2 at Somonauk Dec. 10 at Montini Dec. 13 vs. Indian Creek Dec. 17 at Newark Dec. 20 at Rosary Dec. 26 at Dixon Tournament Dec. 27 at Dixon Tournament Dec. 28 at Dixon Tournament Dec. 29 at Dixon Tournament Jan. 9 vs. Kaneland Jan. 12 vs. Marian Central Jan. 14 vs. Montini Jan. 19 at Plano Jan. 23 at St. Francis Jan. 26 at Wheaton Academy Jan. 29 vs. Rosary Jan. 31 vs. Harvest Christian Feb. 3 at IMSA Feb. 5 at Westminster

5:30 p.m.

Dec. 22 at Ottawa Tournament Dec. 23 at Ottawa Tournament Jan. 6 vs. Rosary Jan. 9 at Aurora Christian Jan. 10 at La Salle-Peru Jan. 13 vs. Plano Jan. 16 vs. Yorkville Jan. 20 vs. Geneseo Jan. 22 at IMSA Jan. 24 at Rochelle Jan. 27 vs. Sycamore Jan. 30 vs. Morris Feb. 3 at DeKalb Feb. 6 at Yorkville Feb. 7 at Kaneland Girls Shootout Feb. 10 vs. Ottawa Feb. 12 vs. Sterling

PREP BASKETBALL PREVIEW | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

Aurora Central Catholic Nov. 18 vs. Serena at Somonauk Tourn.

Nov. 19 vs. Sandwich at Somonauk Tourn.

Nov. 20 vs. Somonauk at Somonauk Tourn.

Nov. 21 vs. Hinckley-Big Rock at Somonauk Tourn Dec. 2 at Glenbard South Dec. 6 vs. IMSA Dec. 9 at IC Catholic Prep Dec. 11 vs. St. Edward Dec. 16 at Rosary Dec. 18 at Wheaton Academy Dec. 22 at Oswego East Tournament Dec. 23 at Oswego East Tourament Dec. 26 at Oswego East Tournament Dec. 27 at Oswego East Tournament Jan. 6 vs. Nazareth Academy Jan. 8 vs. Riverside-Brookfield Jan. 13 vs. Fenton Jan. 16 Metro Suburban crossover Jan. 20 vs. Glenbard South Jan. 24 at Plainfield North Jan. 27 vs. IC Catholic Prep Jan. 29 at St. Edward Feb. 3 vs. Wheaton Academy Feb. 5 at Riverside-Brookfield Feb. 7 at Kaneland Shootout Feb. 12 at Fenton

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, November 19, 2014

| PREP BASKETBALL PREVIEW

22

2014-2015 BOYS BASKETBALL SCHEDULES Aurora Central Catholic Dec. 2 vs. Montini at Aurora Christian Tournament 6 p.m.

Dec. 3 vs. Joliet Catholic at Aurora Christian Tournament 6 p.m.

Dec. 5 vs. St. Edward at Aurora Christian Tournament 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 6 vs. Aurora Christian at Aurora Christian Tournament 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 9 vs. Fenton 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 13 at Riverside-Brookfield 7 p.m.

Dec. 19 vs. St. Edward 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 26 vs. Geneva at East Aurora Invitational 4 p.m.

Dec. 27 vs. Neuqua Valley at East Aurora Invitational 4 p.m.

Dec. 29 vs. Urban Prep at East Aurora Invitational 4 p.m.

Dec. 30 vs. TBD at East Aurora Invitational TBD Jan. 6 at Wheaton Academy TBD Jan. 9 vs. IC Catholic 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 10 vs. Montini 1 p.m.

Jan. 13 at Plano 7 p.m.

Jan. 16 at Glenbard South 7 p.m.

Jan. 18 vs. TBD at Whitney Young Shootout TBD Jan. 23 Metro Crossover TBD Jan. 30 vs. Glenbard South 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 3 at Plainfield Central 7 p.m.

Feb. 10 vs. Riverside-Brookfield 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 13 at St. Edward 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 17 at Wheaton Academy TBD Feb. 20 at IC Catholic Prep 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 21 vs. Marmion 7 p.m.

Feb. 24 at Fenton 7 p.m.

Aurora Christian Dec. 2 vs. St. Edward at Aurora Christian Burney Wilkie Classic 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 3 vs. Joliet Catholic at Aurora Christian Burney Wilkie Classic 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 4 vs. Montini at Aurora Christian Burney Wilkie Classic 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 6 vs. Aurora Central Catholic at Aurora Christian Burney Wilkie Classic 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 12 vs. St. Francis 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 13 vs. Indian Creek 6 p.m.

Dec. 18 vs. Newark 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 23-30 at Plano Christmas Classic TBD Jan. 9 at Marmion 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 13 vs. Serena 7 p.m.

Jan. 17 vs. Winnebago 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 23 at St. Francis 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 24 vs. Blackhawk Christian (Ind.) 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 27 at IC Catholic Prep 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 30 vs. Richards 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 31 at Harvest Academy 2 p.m.

Feb. 3 vs. Montini 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 6 vs. Marmion 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 7 at East Aurora Ernie Kivisto Hoopfest Feb. 12 vs. Harvest Academy 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 13 at Timothy Christian 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 18 vs. Providence St. Mel 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 20 at Montini 7:30 p.m.

Batavia Nov. 24 vs. Wheaton Warrenville South at Windmill City Classic 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 26 vs. Kaneland at Windmill City Classic 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 28 vs. St. Francis at Windmill City Classic 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 29 vs. Chicago Marine Lead. Academy 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 5 vs. West Chicago 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 6 vs. Geneva 6 p.m.

Dec. 11 vs. St. Charles East 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 13 vs. Streamwood 2:30 p.m.

Dec. 17 at Larkin 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 19 vs. Elgin 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 26 at Jack Tosh Holiday Classic TBD Dec. 27 at Jack Tosh Holiday Classic TBD Dec. 29 at Jack Tosh Holiday Classic TBD Dec. 30 at Jack Tosh Holiday Classic TBD Jan. 3 at Quincy 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 9 vs. St. Charles North 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 16 at West Chicago 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 17 at Rockford Jefferson Shootout TBD Jan. 19 at Rockford Jefferson Shootout TBD Jan. 22 at Geneva 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 30 at St. Charles East 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 31 vs. West Aurora at Batavia Night of Hoops 8 p.m.

Feb. 5 Feb. 13 Feb. 20 Feb. 25

at Streamwood at Elgin vs. Larkin at St. Charles North

7:15 p.m.

7:15 p.m.

7:15 p.m.

7:15 p.m.

Burlington Central Nov. 25 vs. Newark at Sycamore Strombom Tournament 5 p.m.

Nov. 26 vs. Dundee-Crown at Sycamore Strombom Tournament 5 p.m.

Nov. 28 vs. Rockford Jefferson at Sycamore Strombom Tournament 3:30 p.m.

Nov. 29 vs. TBD at Sycamore Strombom Tournament TBD Dec. 3 vs. Byron 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 6 vs. Hampshire 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 10 at Harvard 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 12 at Johnsburg 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 16 vs. Richmond-Burton 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 19 at North Boone 7 p.m.

Dec. 22-30 vs. TBD at Plano Christmas Classic TBD Jan. 8 vs. Rockford Christian 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 10 at Marengo 7 p.m.

Jan. 17 vs. Kaneland and Willowbrook at Sterling Shootout 11:30 a.m.

Jan. 19 vs. Dixon and Sterling at Sterling Shootout 1 p.m.

Jan. 24 at Genoa-Kingston 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 27 at Richmond-Burton 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 30 vs. North Boone 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 7 at Rockford Christian 7 p.m.

Feb. 13 vs. Johnsburg 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 17 vs. Harvard 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 20 vs. Genoa-Kingston 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 24 vs. Marengo 7:15 p.m.

Geneva Nov. 24 vs. Huntley at Crystal Lake Central Tournament 6 p.m.

Nov. 26 vs. Rockton Hononegah at Crystal Lake Central Tournament 11:30 a.m.

Nov. 28 vs. Prairie Ridge at Crystal Lake Central Tournament 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 29 vs. TBD at Crystal Lake Central Tournament TBD Dec. 5 at St. Charles North 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 6 at Batavia 6 p.m.

Dec. 12 vs. West Chicago 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 13 at St. Charles East 6 p.m.

Dec. 19 vs. Streamwood 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 26 vs. TBD at East Aurora Tournament TBD Dec. 27 vs. TBD at East Aurora Tournament TBD Dec. 29 vs. TBD at East Aurora Tournament TBD Dec. 30 vs. TBD at East Aurora Tournament TBD Jan. 8 at Elgin 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 9 vs. Larkin 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 16 vs. St. Charles North 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 17 vs. TBD at Moline Shootout TBD Jan. 19 vs. TBD at Moline Shootout TBD Jan. 22 vs. Batavia 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 30 at West Chicago 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 31 vs. UEC/DVC Challenge 2 p.m.

Feb. 5 vs. St. Charles East 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 7 vs. Quincy 6 p.m.

Feb. 13 at Streamwood 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 20 vs. Elgin 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 27 at Larkin 7:15 p.m.

Kaneland Nov. 24 vs. Chicago Marine Lead. Academy at Windmill City Classic 6 p.m.

Nov. 25 vs. St. Francis at Windmill City Classic 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 26 vs. Batavia at Windmill City Classic 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 28 vs. Wheaton Warrenville South at Windmill City Classic 6 p.m.

Dec. 5 at Morris 7 p.m.

Dec. 6 at Rock Island 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 13 at Sycamore 6 p.m.

Dec. 23 vs. TBD at Plano Christmas Classic TBD Dec. 26 vs. TBD at Plano Christmas Classic TBD Dec. 27 vs. TBD at Plano Christmas Classic TBD Dec. 29 vs. TBD at Plano Christmas Classic TBD Dec. 30 vs. TBD at Plano Christmas Classic TBD Jan. 3 vs. St. Charles North at United Center 2 p.m.

Jan. 9 vs. DeKalb 7 p.m.

Jan. 10 at LaSalle-Peru 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 16 vs. Yorkville 7 p.m.

Jan. 24 at Rochelle 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 30 vs. Morris Feb. 5 vs. Sycamore Feb. 7 vs. TBD at Bank of O’Fallon Shootout Feb. 10 vs. Ottawa Feb. 13 at DeKalb Feb. 14 vs. Larkin at Kaneland Shootout Feb. 17 vs. Geneseo Feb. 20 at Yorkville Feb. 24 vs. West Chicago Feb. 27 vs. Sterling

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

2 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

Marmion Nov. 24 vs. Christian Liberty at Buffalo Grove Tournament TBD Nov. 25 vs. Niles North at Buffalo Grove Tournament 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 28 vs. Grayslake Central at Buffalo Grove Tournament 6 p.m.

Nov. 29 vs. Buffalo Grove at Buffalo Grove Tournament 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 5 vs. Walther Christian 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 9 at Naperville North 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 12 vs. Montini 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 22 vs. TBD at DeKalb Chuck Dayton Tournament TBD Dec. 23 vs. TBD at DeKalb Chuck Dayton Tournament TBD Dec. 26 vs. TBD at DeKalb Chuck Dayton Tournament TBD Jan. 3 vs. Glenbard South 6 p.m.

Jan. 9 vs. Aurora Christian 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 10 at Wheaton North 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 17 vs. TBD at Wheaton Warrenville South MLK Shootout TBD Jan. 19 vs. TBD at Wheaton Warrenville South MLK Shootout TBD Jan. 23 at Montini 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 24 at St. Francis 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 31 at Barrington 6 p.m.

Feb. 6 at Aurora Christian 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 7 vs. Sandwich 6 p.m.

Feb. 13 vs. Dundee-Crown 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 14 vs. South Elgin 6 p.m.

Feb. 17 vs. St. Francis 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 21 at Aurora Central Catholic 7 p.m.

Feb. 26 at Romeoville 6:30 p.m.

St. Charles East Nov. 24 vs. East Aurora at St. Charles E. Thanksgiving Tournament Nov. 26 vs. Schaumburg at SCE Thanksgiving Tournament Nov. 28 vs. St. Joseph at SCE Thanksgiving Tournament Nov. 29 vs. TBD at SCE Thanksgiving Tournament Dec. 5 at Larkin Dec. 6 vs. St. Charles North Dec. 11 at Batavia Dec. 13 vs. Geneva Dec. 18 at Streamwood Dec. 20 vs. TBD at DeKalb Chuck Dayton Tournament Dec. 22 vs. TBD at DeKalb Chuck Dayton Tournament Dec. 23 vs. TBD at DeKalb Chuck Dayton Tournament Dec. 26 vs. TBD at DeKalb Chuck Dayton Tournament Jan. 6 at Glenbard West Jan. 10 vs. Elgin Jan. 16 vs. Larkin Jan. 17 at St. Charles North Jan. 24 vs. West Chicago Jan. 30 vs. Batavia Jan. 31 at Naperville North Feb. 5 at Geneva Feb. 13 at West Chicago Feb. 17 vs. Evanston Feb. 20 vs. Streamwood Feb. 25 at Elgin Feb. 27 at Riverside-Brookfield

7:15 p.m.

8 p.m.

7:45 p.m.

TBD 7:15 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7:15 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7:15 p.m.

TBD TBD TBD TBD 7:30 p.m.

6 p.m.

7:15 p.m.

6 p.m.

6 p.m.

7:15 p.m.

1 p.m.

7:15 p.m.

7:15 p.m.

7:15 p.m.

7:15 p.m.

7:15 p.m.

7 p.m.

St. Charles North Nov. 25 vs. Plainfield East at St. Charles E. Thanksgiving Tournament 8 p.m.

Nov. 26 vs. Metea Valley at SCE Thanksgiving Tournament 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 28 vs. Downers Grove South

at SCE Thanksgiving Tournament 6 p.m.

Nov. 29 vs. TBD at SCE Thanksgiving Tournament TBD Dec. 5 vs. Geneva 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 6 at St. Charles East 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 7 vs. TBD at Ridgewood Shootout 12 p.m.

Dec. 11 vs. Streamwood 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 13 vs. Elgin 6 p.m.

Dec. 16 at West Chicago 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 19 vs. Larkin 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 29 vs. TBD at Pontiac Holiday Tournament Dec. 30 vs. TBD at Pontiac Holiday Tournament Dec. 31 vs. TBD at Pontiac Holiday Tournament Jan. 3 vs. Kaneland at United Center 2 p.m.

Jan. 9 at Batavia 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 10 vs. Glenbard North 6 p.m.

Jan. 16 at Geneva 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 17 vs. St. Charles East 6 p.m.

Jan. 30 at Streamwood 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 5 at Elgin 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 13 at Larkin 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 14 vs. Hillcrest at Kaneland Shootout 6 p.m.

Feb. 20 vs. West Chicago 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 25 vs. Batavia 7:15 p.m.

St. Francis Nov. 25 vs. Kaneland at Windmill City Classic 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 26 vs. Chicago Marine Leadership Academy at Windmill City Classic 6 p,m.

Nov. 28 vs. Batavia at Windmill City Classic 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 29 vs. Wheaton Warrenville South at Windmill City Classic 6 p.m.

Dec. 3 at Hampshire 7 p.m.

Dec. 9 vs. Wheaton Academy 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 12 at Aurora Christian 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 14 vs. TBD at Benedictine Shootout TBD Dec. 19 at Montini 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 22 vs. TBD at Glenbard West Invitational TBD Dec. 23 vs. TBD at Glenbard West Invitational TBD Dec. 26 vs. TBD at Glenbard West Invitational TBD Dec. 27 vs. TBD at Glenbard West Invitational TBD Jan. 9 vs. Wheaton North 7:30 p.m.

Jan.10 vs.ChicagoBullsCollegePrep 5 p.m.

Jan. 13 vs. IMSA 7 p.m.

Jan. 17 at Manny’s Shootout 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 23 vs. Aurora Christian 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 24 vs. Marmion 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 30 vs. Montini 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 31 vs. TBD at St. Francis Shootout TBD Feb. 3 vs. Walther Christian 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 7 vs. Kennedy 12:30 p.m.

Feb. 17 at Marmion 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 21 at Prairie Ridge 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 24 at Sycamore 7 p.m.

Wheaton Academy Nov. 24 vs. Streamwood at Wheaton A. Thanksgiving Tournament 8 p.m.

Nov. 25 vs. Downers Grove North at Wheaton A. Thanksgiving Tournament 8 p.m.

Nov. 28 vs. Brother Rice at Wheaton A. Thanksgiving Tournament 8 p.m.

Nov. 29 vs. Bartlett at Wheaton A. Thanksgiving Tournament 3:45 p.m.

Dec. 2 vs. Chicago Hope 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 5 at Riverside-Brookfield 7 p.m.

Dec. 9 at St. Francis 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 12 vs. St. Edward 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 16 at St. Viator 7 p.m.

Dec. 19 vs. IC Catholic Prep 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 26 vs. TBD at East Aurora Holiday Tournament Dec. 27 vs. TBD at East Aurora Holiday Tournament Dec. 29 vs. TBD at East Aurora Holiday Tournament Dec. 30 vs. TBD at East Aurora Holiday Tournament Jan. 10 at Ensworth (Tenn.)

TBD Jan. 15 at Brentworth Academy (Tenn.)

TBD Jan. 23 at Metro Suburban crossover TBD Jan. 27 at Fenton 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 28 vs. Aurora Central Catholic 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 30 vs. Riverside-Brookfield 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 3 at Glenbard South 7 p.m.

Feb. 6 at St. Edward 7 p.m.

Feb. 13 at IC Catholic Prep 7 p.m.

Feb. 17 at Aurora Central Catholic 7 p.m.

Feb. 20 vs. Fenton 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 24 vs. Glenbard South 7:30 p.m.

2014-2015 BASKETBALL ROSTERS Aurora Central Catholic No. Player Ht. Wt. Yr. 3 Donovan Reid 5-10 150 So. 5 Mac Cowen 6-0 155 So. 10 Kyle Czerak 5-10 150 Fr. 20 Brett Czerak 6-1 160 So. 21 David Rios 5-10 150 Jr. 23 Nick Faltz 6-3 165 Jr. 25 Zach Smith 6-2 170 Fr. 30 Eddie Cange 6-1 175 So. 33 Will Courter 6-3 175 Fr. 34 Jake Bush 6-0 160 Jr. 35 Evan Schuetz 6-1 180 Jr. 40 Luke Samano 5-10 160 Jr. 55 Mario May 6-4 200 Sr. Head coach: Nate Drye Aurora Christian No. Player 3 Jacolby Maxwell 4 Pat McNamara 5 CJ Williams 10 Jeremiah Wright 11 Jake Wolfe 22 Jacob Daley 23 RD Lutze 24 Wes Wolfe 33 Zach Singer 34 Erik Abrell 35 Andrew Behrens 44 Timi Ajayi 45 Juwan Sisco 50 Joe Betterman Head coach: Pat McNamara

Pos. G G F F 150 G G F F G F G F

Yr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr.

Yr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr.

Burlington Central No. Player Ht. Wt. 11 Tony Thompson 5-10 155 12 Ethan Mayfield 5-11 155 13 Luke McCurdy 6-2 165 14 Zach Schutta 6-0 145 15 Andrew Lippert 6-1 190 20 Nathan Moxness 6-2 185 23 Andrew Wiss 5-11 175 24 Stefan Jochum 6-0 155 30 Patrick Sernett 6-1 140 32 A.J. Gouriotis 6-1 180 40 Evan Johnson 6-61185 44 Ryan Fitzgerald 6-5 210 Head coach: Brett Porto Kaneland No. Player Ht. Yr. 4 Ryan David 6-4 Jr. 5 Connor Fedderly 5-8 Sr. 11 Mark Lilly 5-7 Jr. 12 Jacob Marczuk 5-10 Jr. 15 Tanner Robertsen 5-10 Jr. 20 Dylan Vaca 6-2 Jr. 22 Mitchel Groen 6-3 Jr. 23 Steven Limbrunner 6-3 Sr. 24 Brett Hansen 6-0 Jr. 30 Kevin Fajardo 5-10 Jr. 32 Jacob Violett 6-2 Jr. 33 Zach Douglas 6-5 Sr. 55 Jacob Gomes 6-5 Jr. Head coach: Brian Johnson Marmion No. Player Ht. Wt. Yr. 2 Jon Young 5-11 155 Jr. 4 Josh Ruddy 5-8 135 Jr. 10 Richie Jarnell 5-9 175 Sr. 12 Hunter Weber 5-9 150 Jr. 20 Jack Doroff 6-1 175 Sr. 22 Jake Esp 6-4 200 Sr. 24 Matt Woodcock 6-2 150 Jr. 30 John Bird 6-2 185 Jr. 34 Evan Pickard 6-6 220 Sr. 40 Josh Gauthier 6-6 265 Sr. 42 Jordan Glasgow 6-1 200 Sr. 44 Matt Fletcher 6-4 190 Jr.

Pos. G G G G/F G G G G G G/F F G F/C G F G F/C

Yr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr.

Pos. F G G G G G F F G G F F C

Pos. G G G G G F F F C C G F

Sandy Bressner file photo – sbressner@shawmedia.com

St. Charles North’s Morgan Rosencrants looks for her shot in February against Bartlett during a Class 4A Glenbard East Regional game. Rosencrants is part of a loaded North frontcourt this season.

50 Luke Juriga 6-4 270 52 Mike Seraphin 6-3 210 Head coach: Joe Currie St. Charles East No. Player Ht. Wt. 1 Jeremy Champine 5-11 160 2 Grayson Brucato 6-0 140 3 Cole Gentry 5-11 165 10 Mike Settle 6-3 170 11 Mick Vyzral 6-5 210 12 Evan DiLeonardi 6-2 175 13 James McQuillan 6-4 175 14 JT Ford 6-3 165 20 Cam Miller 6-4 185 22 Jake Clodi 6-0 165 33 Jake Asquini 6-2 180 34 Zach Hondlik 6-5 170 40 Jack Bronec 6-8 215 Head coach: Pat Woods

Sr. Jr.

C F

Yr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr.

St. Charles North No. Player Ht. Yr. 2 Jake Spaniol 6-1 Jr. 3 Armon Osborne 5-10 Jr. 4 Jake Ludwig 6-1 Sr. 5 Olu Elegbede 5-9 Jr. 10 Jarod Karom 5-10 Jr. 11 Mikey Schroeder 5-11 Jr. 13 David Pozna 6-0 Sr. 15 Brad Dawrant 6-2 Sr. 20 Brendan McCarthy6-2 Sr. 21 Griffin Hammer 6-5 So. 22 Jack Callaghan 6-3 Sr. 24 Connor Keegan 6-4 Jr. 32 John Davern 6-3 Sr. Head coach: Tom Poulin St. Francis No. Player Ht. Yr. 1 Mike Rueth 5-9 Jr. 2 Peter Fassnacht 5-9 Jr. 3 Nick Kurtyka 5-9 Jr. 4 Tom Zeman 5-9 Jr. 5 Tim Sullivan 5-7 So. 10 Jason Sullivan 5-10 Sr. 12 Daniel Malek 6-1 Sr. 14 Jack Weiss 6-0 Sr. 15 Will Purdom 6-0 Jr. 20 Steven Fassnacht 5-10 Sr. 22 Jon Brundage 6-0 So. 24 Gabe Johnson 6-3 Jr. 25 Will Rowan 6-3 Jr. 30 Nick Dama 6-0 Sr. 32 Stephen Burns 6-3 Jr. 34 Nick Cooney 6-3 Jr.

40 Clint Bobowski 6-3 Sr. 42 Jon Burke 6-3 Jr. 44 Mike Shaw 6-3 Sr. Head coach: Bob Ward Wheaton Academy No. Player Yr..

1 Mychale Hyland Fr. 2 Luke Manske Jr. 3 Christian Smith Sr. 4 Luke Ledesma Jr. 10 Bryce Sandberg Sr. 11 Dan Vasko Jr. 15 Brady Smith Jr. 20 Ty Collins Jr. 22 Jameson Teuscher So. 24 Tommy Blum So. 32 RW Rienow Jr. 33 Evan Williams Sr. 42 Anthony Polinski Jr. 44 Sam Scharnowski So. 50 Jacob Lindstedt Sr. Head coach: Pete Froedden

F F F

Pos. G G G G G G G F G F G F F F F

Editor’s note: The Geneva boys roster was not available as of press time.

GIRLS

Pos. G G G G G G G G G G G G F G F F

Aurora Central Catholic No. Player Ht. Yr. 00 Taylor Harazin 6-3 So. 1 Paige Miller 5-4 Jr. 2 Kalie Soris 5-3 Sr. 3 Brianna Dressel 5-6 Jr. 4 Gina Cortino 5-6 So. 5 Alex Horton 5-11 Sr. 10 Gabi Alfaro 5-5 Sr. 12 Jordyn Sundberg 5-7 Sr. 15 Natalie Droeske 6-0 Sr. 23 Veronica LaVia 5-9 Jr. 24 Sabrina Ganofsky 6-2 So. 25 Shakira DelToro 5-10 So. 32 Jenna Cebulski 5-9 Jr. 33 Andria Bieritz 5-4 Sr. 44 Alex Johnston 5-7 So. Head coach: Mark Fitzgerald No. Player 1 3 4 5 13 15

Aurora Christian Alyssa Hernandez Carey Tokars Mercedes Warren Rhiannon Anderson Sami Hultine Paris Chaney

Pos. C G G G G F G G F/C F F/C F F G G

Yr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Fr.

20 Jackie Hilger 22 Gabby Galbato 23 Kirsten Madsen 30 Emily Ward 32 Ashley Hochsprung 35 Natasha Brown Head coach: Burney Wilkie Batavia No. Player Ht. Yr. 2 Morgan Erickson 5-6 So. 3 Bethany Orman 5-7 Jr. 5 Ines Ruzicka 5-5 Jr. 10 Madeline Slater 5-10 Jr. 11 Emily Lasse 5-9 Jr. 13 Mackenzie Foster 5-8 So. 15 Katie Weber 5-6 Jr. 21 Jessica Koch 5-9 Jr. 23 Shea Bayram 5-10 Jr. 24 Ana Marchiori 5-9 Sr. 25 Hannah Frazier 6-2 Jr. 30 Kendall Knox 5-7 Jr. 32 Jessie Costello 5-6 Jr. 33 Leah Narup 5-9 Jr. 35 Stephanie Rodriguez 5-5 42 Hannah Slater 6-1 Jr. Head coach: Kevin Jensen

Jr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Sr.

So.

Burlington Central No. Player Ht. 4 Kayla Ross 5-7 10 Kayla Rafferty 5-8 12 Shelby Holt 5-8 20 Kristina Ahlers 5-3 23 Aly DeTamble 5-8 24 Jackie Collins 5-5 25 Samantha Cruz 5-6 34 Sam Pryor 6-0 42 Alison Colby 5-11 50 Rebecca Gerke 5-10 Head coach: Mark Smith Geneva No. Player Ht. Yr. 00 Courtney Reynolds 5-7 3 Sarah Baurer 5-9 Jr. 5 Abby Novak 6-0 Sr. 10 Grace Loberg 6-2 So. 11 Kate Rogers 5-7 Sr. 12 Jen Cale 5-4 Jr. 13 Margaret Whitley 5-5 Fr. 15 Ashley Shogren 5-5 Jr. 20 Cheyenne Vieau 5-4 Sr. 21 Taylor Williams 5-10 Jr. 22 Coleen Grady 5-10 Jr. 23 McKenna Happold 5-6 Jr.

Pos. G G G F F G G F F F F G G F F F

Yr. Jr. Sr. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr.

Jr.

Pos. G F G/F F/C G G G G G F F G

F F/C G/F F F G

Kaneland Player Ht. Meg Cohrs 5-7 Camri Conley 5-7 Destiny Cowsert 5-8 Bailey Crimmins 6-3 Taylor Eaves 5-7 Madison Edwards 6-0 Vanessa Gould 5-9 Emily Grams 5-6 Nicole Koczka 5-6 Kylie Modaff 5-10 Aly Van Bogaert 6-0 Jennifer Weber 5-9 Morgan Weber 5-6 Head coach: Ernie Colombe

. Yr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. So. Sr. Fr. So.

Rosary Player Ht. Mary Kate Bakala 5-6 Priscilla Betzelos 5-7 Megan Conlin 5-8 Krystal Cortes 5-6 Taylor Drozdowski 5-8 Danielle Goering 5-6 Jenna Hernandez 5-4 Quincy Kellett 5-6 Anna Montalbano 5-8 Sonja Popovich 5-7 Lauren Smith 5-9 Adrienne Winkel 5-9 Head coach: Jessie Terrell

. Yr. So. Sr. Sr. Fr. Jr. So. Fr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Sr.

St. Charles East No. Player Ht. 11 Katie Claussner 5-5 15 Kyra Washington 6-1 21 Diamond Porterfield 5-9 22 Kelly Rinker 5-9 23 Samantha Munroe 5-6 24 Katherine Robinson 5-7 25 Kathleen Townsend 6-0 33 Brittany Henkin 5-7 35 Hannah Vitkus 5-11 40 Gabriele Butkute 6-0 41 Sara Rosenfeldt 6-0 42 Maryn Cheney 5-10 50 Chloe John 5-9 Head coach: Lori Drumtra

Yr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Sr.

Pos. G G/F F G G G C F G/F C F F F

St. Charles North No. Player Ht. 4 Morgan Rosencrants 6-1 5 Taylor Vaca 5-7 10 Ashling Davern 5-9 12 Sarah Nawara 5-8 15 Kyla Helsel 5-9 20 Sam Novak 5-7 22 Claire Jakaitis 6-0 23 Sami Sample 5-10 31 Abby Tarpey 5-7 33 Nichole Davidson 5-11 40 Lizzy Olsem 5-11 54 Anna Davern 6-2 Head coach: Sean Masoncup

Yr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. Sr. So. Fr.

Pos. F G G G G G F G/F G G/F F C

St. Francis Player Ht. Sloane Baumgartner 5-9 Clare Carragher 5-1 Julia Cesario 5-9 Elinor Cycenas 5-4 Kelly Joniak 5-3 Regan Kasprak 5-5 Mia Mazza 5-7 Leah Riccolo 5-7 Reagan Sproat 5-9 Antwainette Walker 5-10 Head coach: Mike Phillips

. Yr. Jr. Jr. So. Sr. Jr. Sr. So. Jr. Jr. Fr.

Wheaton Academy No. Player Yr. 2 Jamie Netzley Jr. 5 Aleksa Loch Jr. 11 Meredith Bult So. 12 Emily Renn So. 13 Liana Ledesma Jr. 14 Elizabeth Melby Jr. 20 Christina Garrison Sr. 21 Lizzy Swoboda Fr. 22 Heidi Engebretsen Sr. 23 Izzy McNally So. 25 Chrislyn Herring So. Head coach: Beth Mitchell

Pos. G G F G G F F F F G G

23

• Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Batavia No. Player Ht. Wt. 3 Canaan Coffey 6-2 180 4 Kamontez Thomas 5-9 155 5 Jordan Schmidt 5-10 145 10 Danny Pieczynski 6-4 175 12 Carter Eberhardt 6-0 155 14 Jacob Roberts 6-3 175 20 Tyler Tamplin 5-10 160 21 Brett Bowman 5-11 175 22 Mark Schmidt 5-11 165 24 Michael Fee 6-0 155 30 Ed Golden 6-1 175 34 Tyler Lovestrand 6-3 180 40 Chasen Peez 6-7 225 42 Brendan Olson 6-1 150 50 John Fitch 6-3 185 52 Andrew Costigan 5-9 165 54 Connor Lewis 6-5 185 Head coach: Jim Nazos

30 Janie McCloughan 5-10 Sr. 31 Emma Peters 5-10 Sr. 32 Rachel Cain 5-7 Jr. 33 Abby Fleming 5-7 Jr. 40 Eileen Burke 5-9 Jr. 42 Stephanie Hart 5-6 Fr. Head coach: Sarah Meadows

PREP BASKETBALL PREVIEW | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com

BOYS

| PREP BASKETBALL PREVIEW

24 To us, being a bank means much more than selling accounts.

But then again, we’re not your average bank. We’re a community bank. That means in addition to providing the tailored solutions your family needs, we are also invested in our community and the people in it. Kane County isn’t just where we work, it’s where we live. For many of us, this is our hometown too.

Like you, it’s where we raise our families and spend our time on the weekends. We cheer for the same teams and can be found

Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com • Wednesday, November 19, 2014

in the same gyms where championship banners are hung. We are proud of where we are from and especially of the young leaders in our community. Regardless of whether they are on the court or in the classroom, our local athletes are making an impact on our communities. And for that, we can really cheer!

THAT’S PART OF OUR STORY.

OPEN A TOTAL ACCESS CHECKING ACCOUNT1 FEATURING FREE ATMS NATIONWIDE2, AND RECEIVE $50 DEPOSITED INTO YOUR NEW ACCOUNT WITH NEW MONEY!3 Direct deposit must be received within the first 60 days of opening to receive ATM reimbursements. Open with only $100 minimum deposit!

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PROUD TO BE A WINTRUST COMMUNITY BANK. We are nearly 3,500 community and commercial bankers, home loan officers, financial advisors and specialty lenders focused solely on our customers and the communities where they live. We all have the same mission: To provide best-in-class financial services to all of our customers, be the local alternative to the big banks, and to improve the communities which we call home.

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ST. CHARLES’ COMMUNITY BANK 411 W. Main St. | St. Charles, IL 60174 630-377-9500 | www.bankstcharles.com

1. The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is 0.01% and is accurate as of 11/15/2014. Must maintain a balance of $0.01 in order to earn interest. Rates are subject to change at the bank’s discretion. 2. The bank does not charge its customers a monthly card usage fee. No transaction charge at any ATM in the Allpoint, MoneyPass or SUM surcharge-free networks. Other banks outside the network may impose ATM surcharges at their machines. Surcharge fees assessed by owners of other ATMs outside the network will be reimbursed. Reimbursement does not include the 1.10% International Service fee charged by MasterCard®for certain foreign transactions conducted outside the continental United States. 3. $50 deposit bonus will be deposited into Total Access Checking Account after account opening. $50 deposit bonus is subject to IRS 1099 reporting. Limit one per customer. Offer expires 12/31/2014. 4. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 11/15/2014. APY assumes funds remain on deposit. New money only. Substantial penalty for early withdrawal.