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Scouting Tri-Cities boys basketball

Aurora Central Catholic Chargers

Coach: Nathan Drye (11th season, 148-145).

Last year: 3-24, 1-9, sixth in the Suburban Christian Blue Conference; lost 88-57 to Glenbard South in a Class 3A Kaneland regional quarterfinal.

Top players: Mac Cowen, so., G; Brett Czerak, so., F; Nick Faltz, jr., G; Mario May, sr., F; Evan Schuetz, jr., F.

Scouting report: The Chargers return several key contributors from a group who learned on the job in 2013-14. This core's development is the stress, not its move into the Metro Suburban Conference West division. "We're just playing different people," Drye said. The Chargers again will by young and somewhat short, with the 6-foot-4 May the sole senior and main inside presence; Faltz and freshman Will Courter go 6-3. (Freshman forward Eddie Cange is the grandson of former longtime Batavia assistant Ed Cange.) Drye said his shooters have improved from last year. That means top returners like Cowen, Czerak, Faltz and Schuetz, who all averaged between 6.2 and 5.6 points last season, will be launching the 3s as usual while attempting to limit turnovers. "It's impossible for us not to be better," Drye said.

Aurora Christian Eagles

Coach: Pat McNamara (third season, 35-24; 11th overall, 231-206).

Last year: 16-12, 5-5, tied for third in the Suburban Christian Blue Conference; lost 62-57 to IC Catholic in the Class 2A Aurora Christian regional final.

Top players: R.D. Lutze, jr., F; Jacolby Maxwell, sr., G; Pat McNamara, jr., G; Zack Singer, sr., F; Juwan Sisco, sr., C; Jake Wolfe, fr., G; Wes Wolfe, sr., G; Jeremiah Wright, jr., G.

Scouting report: A year ago coach Pat McNamara needed to play All-Area graduate Johnathan Harrell out of position at point guard; now he's flush at the point headed by his son, Pat. That improves ball-sharing on a team that returns four starters and double-figure scorers in 6-3 Lutze (12.6 points per game), 6-5 Singer (10.3) and "supersmart" guard Wes Wolfe (11.1). Lutze has added layers to his game that should increase his scoring and rebounding, from 5.4 boards a game last season. "A terrific work ethic," Coach McNamara said, will have many competing for minutes, including newcomer Maxwell, Wright and 6-2 banger Sisco, who came on strong last season on the boards. Playing smart defense is key. "I just think in high school if you've got good guards you can compete with anybody," the coach said.

Batavia Bulldogs

Coach: Jim Nazos (third season, 21-32; 15th overall, 199-184).

Last year: 8-17, 2-10, sixth in the Upstate Eight River Conference; lost 73-56 to Bolingbrook in a Class 4A Plainfield East regional semifinal.

Top players: Brett Bowman, jr., G; Canaan Coffey, jr., G; Carter Eberhardt, jr., G; John Fitch, jr., F; Ed Golden, sr., F; Tyler Lovestrand, sr., G; Chasen Peez, sr., F-C; Danny Pieczynski, sr., G-F; Jacob Roberts, sr., G; Jordan Schmidt, sr., G; Kamontez Thomas, jr., G.

Scouting report: Batavia's improvement requires healthy seasons by 6-3 guard Lovestrand (3 assists per game) and particularly 6-7, 235-pound Peez, an inside-out force who averaged 13.1 points on 51 percent shooting plus 6.5 rebounds in an injury-plagued junior season. Six-four returning starter Pieczynski (7.4 points, 5.6 rebounds) and 6-3 Fitch add some height to a plethora of guards including outside shooter Coffey, who canned 47 threes and averaged 7.4 points. Coffey was one of the few to record more assists than turnovers last season, and reducing the team's average of 17 turnovers a game will be essential. In a UEC River Division Nazos believes is among the tops in the suburbs, he feels the deep Bulldogs will compete "right there with them."

Geneva Vikings

Coach: Phil Ralston (seventh season, 113-62; 15th overall, 221-164).

Last year: 25-6, 8-4, tied for second in the Upstate Eight River Conference; lost 60-41 to Benet at the Class 4A East Aurora sectional final.

Top players: Bennett Fuzak, jr., G-F; Chandler Fuzak, sr., F; Mike Landi, sr., F; Stephen Moyer, sr., G-F; Nate Navigato, sr., G-F; Daniel Santacaterina, sr., G; Ben Stahl, sr., G; Pace Temple, sr., G; Loudon Vollbrecht, jr., F.

Scouting report: Expectations soar after a first sectional final appearance in 33 years, first regional in 28 and the most wins since 1963. They're as lofty as the Vikings' roster, nine players between 6-6 and 6-10, headed literally by Chandler Fuzak, the West Texas A & M commit who transferred from Wheaton Academy with 6-7 brother Bennett. The 6-7 Navigato, who committed to Buffalo from among 10 offers, excels in a variety of areas. Last season he averaged 18.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and hit 52 threes. The 4A honorable-mention all-stater shot 52 percent from the floor, 87 percent on free throws and stands to earn program records in a variety of categories. All this height, including key returners 6-8 Vollbrecht and 6-7 Landi, begs questions of proper rotations and experienced ballhandlers. A football knee injury to incoming point guard Temple, who surged during the playoffs, is potentially a huge hit that crimps the equation early. That job may also fall to the capable Navigato. "I think this group coming back has some unfinished business," Ralston said.

Kaneland Knights

Coach: Brian Johnson (sixth season, 85-52).

Last year: 18-10, 7-3, tied for first in the Northern Illinois Big XII East Conference; lost 76-61 to Rockford Lutheran in a Class 3A Hampshire sectional semifinal.

Top players: Ryan David, jr., F; Zach Douglas, sr., F: Connor Fedderly, sr., G; Jacob Gomes, jr., C; Mark Lilly, jr., G; Tanner Robertsen, jr., G; Dylan Vaca, jr., G.

Scouting report: There will be a feeling-out period as the Knights graduated the big three of Tyler Carlson, John Pruett and four-year point guard Drew David. Not much varsity experience or scoring returns other than prospective point guard Fedderly - a three-year varsity player - 6-4 Ryan David and off-guard Vaca, whose 17 threes and 8.9 points per game in only 16 games heads the returners. Kaneland does have several others to handle the ball, including Robertsen and Lilly, and with five players standing from 6-3 to 6-5, probably more uniform size than Johnson has enjoyed in his tenure at Kaneland. Solid in-house competition from a hardworking group should still, eventually, have the Knights vying for a fourth conference title in five seasons. "It's the first time I'm going into a season without knowing what we can do really well," Johnson said.

Marmion Cadets

Coach: Joe Currie (first season).

Last year: 16-15, 5-5, tied for third in the Suburban Christian Blue Conference; lost 62-60 to Kaneland in the Class 3A Kaneland regional final.

Top players: Jake Esp, sr., F; Matt Fletcher, sr., F; John Gauthier, sr., C; Jordan Glasgow, sr., G; Richie Jarnell, sr., G; Luke Juriga, sr., C; Evan Pickard, sr., C; Mike Seraphin, jr., F; Hunter Weber, jr., G; Jon Young, jr., G.

Scouting report: Longtime program assistant and 1982 Marmion graduate Currie looks to continue the progress of former four-year coach Ryan Paradise. Ex-sophomore coach Currie won't change many X's and O's but he does seek ballhandling from a roster whose only true point guards are Young and Jarnell. In a pinch the coach can run the salty Glasgow between the tackles - 6-6, 265-pound Gauthier and 6-4, 270 Juriga join 6-6, 220-pound Pickard and 6-3 Seraphin in what looks to be an imposing frontcourt. Esp, a 6-4 returning All-Area forward who averaged 14.1 points and 4.8 rebounds, could head outside for mismatches, perimeter shooting and spacing. Glasgow's floor-burn intensity will spark a physical defense. "We're going to be deep," Currie said. "It's just a matter of getting that experience."

St. Charles East Saints

Coach: Patrick Woods (fourth season, 48-37; 12th overall, 145-185).

Last year: 18-12, 8-4, tied for second in the Upstate Eight River Conference; lost 76-62 to South Elgin in the Class 4A St. Charles North regional final.

Top players: Jake Asquini, sr., G; Jack Bronec, sr., F; Jake Clodi, sr., G; Evan DiLeonardi, jr., G; Cole Gentry, sr., G; James McQuillan, jr., F; Cam Miller, sr., F; Mick Vyzral, sr., F.

Scouting report: The Saints return quality starters, complementary pieces and a stingier defensive mindset. Cat-quick point guard Gentry, who interests Lewis University and others, made 45 threes last season while often deferring offense; his ability far exceeds last season's 12 points, 5 assists per game. Gentry, McQuillan and Clodi each made at last 43 percent of their 3-point tries. The Saints shouldn't need to settle for that with both 6-5 Vyzral and McQuillan working inside and out and another year of improvement by 6-8 post Bronec. There's a possibility to pass last year's averages of 70 points scored and 64 allowed due to DiLeonardi, Gentry, Asquini and others on defense. It's an unselfish group unsatisfied with second-place UEC River finishes the last three straight seasons. "We should be a fun team to watch," Woods said. "We should score a lot of points and hopefully this year have a few more stops under our belt."

St. Charles North North Stars

Coach: Tom Poulin (ninth season, 132-98).

Last year: 16-10, 8-4, tied for second in the Upstate Eight River Conference; lost 65-50 to St. Charles East in a Class 4A St. Charles North regional semifinal.

Top players: Jack Callaghan, sr., F; John Davern, sr., F; Brad Dawrant, sr., F; Griffin Hammer, so., F; Jake Ludwig, sr., G; Brendan McCarthy, sr., F; Armon Osborne, jr., G; David Pozna, sr., G; Mikey Schroeder, jr., G.

Scouting report: Versatile team leader Ludwig is an All-Area returner after averaging 15.5 points on 49 percent shooting, 58 percent inside the arc. The 6-3 Callaghan was right there, a high-post facilitator who averaged 10.4 points with team highs of 8.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists. They bring the experience to a quick team of unselfish shooters who enjoyed great success in summer and fall ball. With marksman Alec Goetz graduated defenses may try to swarm Ludwig, but Poulin also forecasts 3s from a cast of shooters including Davern, Dawrant and Callaghan, who made 36 last season. It is a mid-sized squad that tops out with 6-5 Hammer and 6-4 post Connor Keegan and also has some football physicality. Team rebounding has been a focus for a squad that seeks conference and regional titles. "Those are attainable goals," Poulin said.

West Aurora Blackhawks

Coach: Gordie Kerkman (39th season, 783-304).

Last year: 24-5, 12-2, tied for first in the DuPage Valley Conference; lost 70-68 to Geneva in a Class 4A East Aurora sectional semifinal.

Top players: Camron Donatlan, fr., G; Matt Dunn, sr., G; Roland Griffin, sr., F; Marquis Howard, sr., G; Reggie Jordan, sr., G; Tommy Koth, sr., F; Luis Sanchez, sr., C; Drake Spears, jr., F.

Scouting report: Program scoring leader Jontrell Walker is at Incarnate Word and post Carleton Williams moved to Montgomery, Alabama, leaving Illinois State-bound forward Griffin, two-year starting point guard Dunn and Koth as leaders. That's a fine start. The 6-6 Griffin averaged 15.7 points on 63 percent shooting inside the arc and averaged 8.1 rebounds. The 6-3 Koth averaged 8 points, Dunn 7.5 points, 3.9 assists. They now play in the tough Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division, back in the UEC for the first time since 1996-97. Of Griffin, Hall of Famer Kerkman said: "I expect a lot from him, to be honest, he's got a lot of talent." Williams' departure leaves a little void inside but the coach praised the court savvy of 6-6 Mexico move-in Sanchez. Besides Griffin, Dunn and Koth there's not tons of varsity minutes though Howard and hardworking Jordan were in the 10-man rotation. And there's a typical array of athletes such as Spears and Donatlan, which may lead to defense and depth. "We've got pretty good quickness and depending on who we've got on the floor we might have very good quickness," said Kerkman, soon to win his 800th game.

  Marmion's Jake Esp shoots over Kaneland's Ryan David during last year's thrilling regional championship game. Both players are back with their respective teams this season. Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com ¬ Kaneland's Connor Fedderly sinks a shot in the third quarter vs. Hinckley-Big Rock on Tuesday, December 11.
  Chasen Peez returns to the Batavia lineup after averaging 13.1 points per game as a junior. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
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