advertisement

Naperville North's growing up

Glenbard North

Coach: Joe Larson.

Last year: 3-22, 0-10, sixth in DuPage Valley Conference; lost to Naperville North in Class 4A West Aurora regional quarterfinals.

Top players: Nick LaVere, sr., G; Michael Matkovic, sr., G; Myles Moore, jr., F; Greg Newsome, so, G; Chamar Flanigan, jr., F; Mark Krzeminski, sr., F; Derick Sawyer, jr., F; Kibet Chepyator, jr., F; Alex Murray, sr., G.

Scouting report: After winning a sectional title two years ago, last season's extremely young lineup endured its share of struggles. Four starters and key role players return with hopes of getting the Panthers back on a winning track. “We had no varsity experience last year and that's a big deal,” Larson said. “We've got a lot of talent and depth this year, but the difference is the experience compared to last year.” LaVere led last year's team with 12.5 points and 3.7 rebounds, and knocked down a team-high 44 3-pointers. Matkovic, who averaged 4.1 assists, Moore and Flanigan combined for another 14 points. Throw in Newsome's surprising playoff contributions as a freshman, and the Panthers have a strong core of players ready to push the ball hard and apply full-court pressure defense. Without much size up-tempo play will be even more important.

Lake Park

Coach: Josh Virostko.

Last year: 25-7, 8-2, first in DuPage Valley Conference; lost to Geneva in Class 4A Northern Illinois University supersectional.

Top players: Dan Hynes, sr., G; Mitch Jarosinski, sr., F; Bailey Vance, sr., F; Garrett Fant, jr., G; Kenny Bogus, sr., F; Justin Scafidi, sr., G; Diamante Smith, so., F; Aun Amir, so., F.

Scouting report: The Lancers look to reload after claiming the DuPage Valley Conference title and the program's first sectional crown. It won't be easy with only one returning starter and very little other experience. “Last year was good for our program because it brought so much positive attention,” Virostko said. “This team needs to develop its own identity. We don't know who we are right now.” Hynes, one of the Lancers' leading scorers during the playoff run, is the main voice of experience. He knocked down 31 3-pointers, but he'll be counted on for much bigger contributions. Jarosinski, a tremendous post defender, will need to provide inside scoring. Bogus and Vance add size to the lineup while Fant is another key contributor who spent a good amount of time on varsity as a sophomore. Smith and Amir led the Lancers to last year's DVC title at the freshman level.

Metea Valley

Coach: Bob Vozza.

Last year: 18-13, 9-5, third in the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division; lost to Hinsdale Central in a Class 4A East Aurora sectional semifinal.

Top players: Ashton Creal, jr., G; Dei'Ron DeLaRosa, sr., G; Malik Hall, so., F; Matt Helwig, sr., G; Jeremy Hunter, jr., G-F; Harrison Kranz, sr., G; Montrell Oliver, sr., G; Tristan Schlosser, sr., F-C; Jordan Williams, sr., F.

Scouting report: Metea Valley ended last season on a 10-1 streak including its second regional title. Big Mark Konkle and other top players graduated, but the Mustangs aim to continue their success transitioning to the DuPage Valley Conference. One reason for the late hot streak was a rush of double-digit games by explosive DeLaRosa, including consecutive nights of 29 and 23 points. Added maturity will help his game. Eight seniors return; Oliver, Kranz, the 6-6 Schlosser and 3-point ace Helwig each saw at least 26 games last year. The 6-5 Hall is a highly regarded sophomore. Depth at guard (more than inside) should translate to speed and defense. Before the DVC grinder Vozza seeks a good start at the tough St. Charles East Thanksgiving Tournament. “I think us coming together early is going to be key for us,” he said.

Naperville Central

Coach: Pete Kramer.

Last year: 15-14, 5-5, fourth in DuPage Valley Conference; lost to York in Class 4A Glenbard West regional semifinals.

Top players: Matthew Meier, sr., G; Emmanuel Rugamba, sr., G; Harrison Hallstrom, sr., C; James Kendrick, sr., F; Liam Heath, sr., F; Brandon Baskin, sr., F; Ben Wolf, so., F; Nick Kramer, jr., G; Pedro Villanueva, jr., G, Justin Jopes, sr., G; Patrick Meier, jr., G; Noah Swope, jr., G.

Scouting report: The Redhawks scraped out a winning record last season despite having only three seniors on the roster. Three starters return in Meier, who averaged 12 points, Rugamba and 6-foot-7 Hallstrom. A big problem last season was a lack of depth, but this year's team has multiple options in the backcourt and in the post. “We've got 12 guys I wouldn't be afraid to put in a game,” Kramer said. Heath, Baskin and Wolf bolster the team's strength inside and the Redhawks boast multiple shooters — including Kendrick and Kramer — in addition to Meier and Rugamba. The Redhawks will play with emotion as they dedicate their season to Matt Skowronski, a basketball and volleyball standout at Naperville Central who passed away in June from a heart condition.

Naperville North

Coach: Jeff Powers.

Last year: 16-11, 7-3, tied for second in DuPage Valley Conference; lost to West Aurora in Class 4A West Aurora regional semifinals.

Top players: Jelani McClain, sr., G; Cam Hardy, jr., G; Mitch Lewis, jr., G; Winston Elston, jr., G; Chris Johnson, so., F; Steve Wade, sr., F; E.J. Vaughn, sr., F; T.J. Agyakye, sr., G; Colin Hassett, sr., G; Tyler Carlson, jr., G.

Scouting report: Last season the Huskies won 16 games with three sophomores and a junior at the center of everything. That experience vaults the expectations for this year. “They don't look like sophomores any more, they look like varsity players,” Powers said. “Last year's experience was huge for us.” McClain is back for a fourth varsity season while Lewis, Hardy and Elston all started at times last year. Combined they averaged over 20 points. The way Hardy, Elston, Carlson and others shoot the ball, and the way McClain and Lewis can create, there's very little this team lacks. The Huskies even get a boost in the post with 6-foot-6 Johnson ready to contribute as a sophomore. Six-six Lewis and 6-4 Vaughn add depth if needed inside. In a much improved and expanded DVC field, Naperville North will be a favorite.

Neuqua Valley

Coach: Todd Sutton.

Last year: 27-5, 12-2, first in the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division; lost to Bolingbrook at the Class 4A Bolingbrook sectional final.

Top players: Andrew Clark, sr., F; Jacob Cushing, sr., F; Alex Filo, jr., C; Blaise Meredith, jr., G; Ryan Phillips, sr., G; Joe Sieger, sr., G; Jonathan Tan, so., G; Austin Waeghe, jr., G; Donovan Wells, sr., F.

Scouting report: The winningest boys coach in DuPage County, hall of famer Sutton (372-135 in 16 seasons at Neuqua, 534 wins overall) takes aim at the DuPage Valley Conference after winning three straight UEC Valley titles and nine UEC titles since 2002. The Wildcats open the season with scant prime-time experience beside the 6-7 Cushing and Sieger. The former averaged 6.6 points and Sieger 8.8, hitting 57 3-pointers. After that point guard Phillips averaged 1.3 points. This is a taller Neuqua team but not as quick; good shooters lacking ball-handling minutes. Still, this program reloads and there is solid competition for spots. Filo is a 6-7 post off an 18-9 sophomore squad, Meredith a tough, do-it-all guard, Wells a 6-4 leaper and co-captains Clark and Phillips honor-roll types whose smarts should translate to the gym. “We're a work in progress,” Sutton said.

Waubonsie Valley

Coach: Chaz Taft.

Last year: 10-17, 3-11, tied for seventh in the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division; lost to East Aurora in a Class 4A East Aurora regional quarterfinal.

Top players: Ja Quan Bowman, sr., F-C; Jack Connolly, sr., G; Luke Gregorio, jr, G; Trevon Moore, sr., G; Brian Phillips, jr., G; Chuck Robinson, so., F-C; Mark Rullo, sr., G; Scott Wells, jr., G.

Scouting report: As on the football field during Waubonsie's long playoff run that occupied five varsity basketball players, Taft anticipates a defensive identity based on toughness, work ethic, court IQ and chemistry. Aside from the 6-4 Robinson and Bowman they trade in height for the scrappy mentality of “junkyard dog” Moore. Leadership is a plus after Phillips, Connolly, Rullo, Bowman, Wells and Gregorio each played in at least 19 games last season, turning the corner from a 3-9 start. Though Connolly hit Metea Valley for 25 points and Rullo provided bursts of instant offense, it'll probably have to be a defensive-led effort; Rullo, Phillips and Connolly return the most scoring, averaging from 5.3 to 6.7 points. There is no problem getting them to play hard. “They come in with the mindset of getting after it,” Taft said.

Wheaton North

Coach: Dave Brackmann.

Last year: 20-6, 7-3, tied for second in DuPage Valley Conference; lost to West Aurora in Class 4A West Aurora regional final.

Top players: Luke Anthony, jr., G; Rowan McGowen, jr., G-F; Matt Giles, sr., F; Jackson Garner, sr., F; Adam Terrini, sr., G; Jack Bennett, jr., G; Ethan Block, jr., G; Michael Gehl, jr., C.

Scouting report: It'll be tough replacing last season's graduated trio of Nick Jordan, Nick Traversa and Jake Heggeland, but key experience remains. The Falcons are young, although Anthony and McGowen both saw significant playing time last season while averaging a combined 15 points. The Falcons still won last year's sophomore DVC title with those two up on varsity. The junior class brings instant impact to a team relying on senior leadership from Giles, Garner and Terrini, who missed last season due to injury. “The big question is how quickly can we come together and how quickly the juniors can get up to varsity speed,” Brackmann said. Anthony, McGowen, Giles and Bennett pack scoring punch, while Block was the sophomore team's point guard last season. “After what we did last year, the bar's been raised,” Brackmann said. “We need guys to step up.”

WW South

Coach: Mike Healy.

Last year: 11-18, 3-7, fifth in DuPage Valley Conference; lost to Glenbard West in Class 4A Glenbard West regional quarterfinals.

Top players: Matt Dacy-Seijo, sr., G; Jeran Simpson, sr., G; Eric Rasch, sr., F; Ryan Scudder, sr, G; Matt Waldron, sr., F; Brian Shallcross, sr., G; Dillon Durrett, jr., F; Drew Healy, jr., G.

Scouting report: Most of last season's defensive attention was directed at graduated leading scorer Josh Ruggles. That won't be the case this year. The Tigers will be much more diverse with Dacy-Seijo running the show at the point and a slew of scoring options. Rasch scored 8.1 points last year while Simpson returns another 4.9 points. A shift in defensive style also will help move the offense along. Waldron's one of the team's many talented shooters. “I don't think you'll be able to key in on one person,” Healy said. “We'll be a little more balanced and have more people who are threats.” Rasch, who averaged 4.1 rebounds, is the team's tallest player at 6-foot-5 so the Tigers need to overcome the height disadvantages they'll face. “We've got a lot of guys who are confident out there,” Healy said. “I think that'll make a difference this year.”

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.