St. Charles North likes mix of youth, veterans

Like Rosary and West Aurora, St. Charles North graduated a pair of All-Area players last year: point guard Kiley Hackbarth and power forward Jenna Bell.

That’s where the similarities stop. Unlike those two schools to their south, St. Charles North has the luxury of entering the 2010-11 season with experience despite losing such key performers.

Colleen Brennan begins her second year with the North Stars after an exciting debut campaign that saw St. Charles North go 21-10 against a grueling schedule and push Geneva to the final second before losing a 47-45 barnburner in the regional finals.

Two returning starters, Tess Fischer and Sydney Russell, lead a group of eight seniors.

“They will both play a very important role,” Brennan said. “Tess especially has focused solely on basketball outside of the season and has truly improved substantially.”

The North Stars also have Sydney’s sister Taylor back after she provided a big boost to the team off the bench last season.

Megan Booe enters the year healthy after missing most of the year last season recovering from a torn ACL. Her sister Kate Booe will be another important piece.

“We are looking forward to starting off the season with her (Megan Booe) ready to go,” said Brennan, who also said Amy Swiderski is working hard to be at 100 percent after a shoulder injury this fall.

The Russell sisters will have company from their softball teammates with two more seniors, Amanda Ciran and Natalie Capone, coming out for the team after not playing last year.

Brennan is bringing up sophomore Alex Silverman to join the rotation which also includes Leah Horton.

“This is an athletic group that presents itself with different strengths than last year,’ Brennan said. “We will be running things differently this year to capitalize on our strengths, and we are excited. We are working on these changes together and learning how to positively challenge each other and to use the entire court to create opportunities for our team together. Every day brings new ideas and they develop more and more as we continue which is great. ”

Quick facts

Coach: Colleen Brennan

Last year: 21-10, lost 47-45 to Geneva in Class 4A St. Charles North regional championship game

Players to watch: Tess Fischer, jr., F; Sydney Russell, jr., G; Taylor Russell, jr., F