Up-tempo Aurora Christian ready to get out and go

Aurora Christian coach Steve Hanson has developed a basketball team built for the long haul.

Having played mainly sophomores last season, the Eagles return most of their points and bring in junior transfer Dean Danos, a 5-foot-10 combo guard who played on Richards’ varsity team both his freshman and sophomore years.

Despite second-leading scorer Josh Haugen choosing not to come out and graduating big men Dean Griffing and Salomon Kabongo-Kooper and guard Dan Earwood, who got most of the minutes among the seniors, Aurora Christian returns vast experience.

Sophomore Ryan Suttle and juniors C.J. Schutt, Nick Marema and Hanson’s son, Jake, all are returning starters.

“We’ll be in the same boat with a young team, but the sophomores last year are now juniors and they all put on at least 10 pounds of muscle. We should be better,” Hanson said.

He believes Danos could vie for Suburban Christian Conference Gold Division player of the year honors with his ability to take opponents off the dribble or pull up and shoot.

“He’s kind of like (Aurora Central Catholic graduates Joey) Guth and (Steve) Hollon put together,” Hanson said.

Aurora Christian returns its top scorer last year, Marema, who did a little of everything: 10.6 points a game, 4.9 rebounds, 1.7 steals and a team-high 3.1 assists.

Jake Hanson hit 35 three-point baskets and averaged 8.7 points a game while Suttle dished out 2.9 assists per game.

Height may be an issue against Wheaton Academy and Immaculate Conception in the SCC Gold, but Hanson hopes to outrun foes with scores into the 70s. Following the Eagles’ quarterfinal football run he was also anticipating the arrival of 6-foot-3 Ryan McQuade and others so as to decide how and where they’ll all blend in.

Already Hanson feels more comfortable in his second year with the Aurora Christian program. His players feel the same way about him and his philosophy.

“It just seems to be going a lot better,” he said. “Now we just have to parlay that into some wins on the floor. But I think that’ll come. Next year we could be off-the-charts good.”

Quick facts

Coach: Steve Hanson (second year, 9-17).

Last year: 9-17, 4-6, fourth in the Suburban Christian Conference Gold Division. Lost 61-46 to Westmont in a Class 2A Aurora Christian regional semifinal

Players to watch: Dean Danos, Jr, G; Jake Hanson, Jr, G; Nick Marema, Jr, G; Ryan McQuade, so., F; C.J. Schutt, Jr, G; Ryan Suttle, so., G.