Woods says this could be his best St. Charles East team yet

Basketball is much more than just a game for Patrick Woods.

That is one of the reasons why Woods couldn't wait for Monday's first official day of high school basketball practice at St. Charles East.

"Basketball has been a passion for me my whole life," said Woods, who has guided the Saints to a record of 48-37 during his first 3 years at the helm. "It started when I was young. I've been very fortunate to be able to be involved in it in some aspect my whole life."

For Woods, basketball offers the best of both worlds.

"There's a lot of life lessons you can learn on the basketball court," said the coach. "Not only do I like the game but I like working with kids, teaching the different qualities that will carry with them through their lives."

Woods, who is beginning his 19th year of coaching - 14th as a head coach - has learned a few of those life lessons himself.

"I feel a lot wiser now," he admitted.

Two weeks away from the season opener against East Aurora in the Saints' own Ron Johnson Thanksgiving Tournament, Woods and his fellow basketball coaches throughout the state don't have time on their sides in preparation for the 2014-15 campaign.

Think of it as a crash course in Hoops 101.

"Where I wised up is that I don't try to put too much in (the playbook) for that first game," said Woods. "My first year, I tried to put in everything under the sun. Now I like to keep it simple and rely on kids to make plays in situations."

One kid that Woods figures to rely upon this season is senior point guard Cole Gentry.

Gentry, a speedy 5-foot-11 ball-handling whiz who has the ability to break down a defense in a variety of ways, is glad to get the ball rolling.

"It feels good to get back out here - that's the big thing," said Gentry. "We've been through the off-season conditioning. We're all just happy to be playing some basketball together again."

Gentry averaged 12.5 points and 4.5 assists per game last season for the Saints, who finished 15-13 and reached the Class 4A regional championship game, losing 76-62 to South Elgin.

"We didn't have a great year last year - we had a good year," said Gentry. "We didn't go as far as we wanted (in the postseason) so that's motivating us for this year."

Entering his third year as a starter for the Saints, Gentry has had the good fortune to play alongside a pair of Division 1 recruits the past 2 seasons - Kendall Stephens in 2012-13 (now at Purdue) and Dom Adduci in 2012-13 and 2013-14 (now at

Drake).

This season, Gentry figures to be the proverbial face of the Saints' program.

"I would argue that we have a D-1 player or two this year," said Woods. "Those guys (Stephens and Adduci) were great and our other past players were great but I honestly think this team has the potential to be the best team I've had here in

my four years.

"That is based on skill, depth, basketball IQ and unselfishness."

Gentry figures to be surrounded by a plethora of experienced outside shooters, including seniors Jake Asquini, Jake Clodi, Mick Vzyral and junior James McQuillan.

You can count on the Saints hoisting plenty of 3-point shots this season.

"Play to your strength and that's what our strength is," said Woods. "Not only that but it's a fun way that kids like playing.

"We bring a lot back," added the coach. "We have five different people who started at one point last year so essentially we have five starters back."

Expectations are high.

"They're a close-knit group and I think that can help translate to wins on the court," said Woods.

As for Day 1 of tryouts, Woods called it a success.

"I was pleasantly surprised," he said. "We have a lot of kids that can play."

You can reach Craig Brueske at csb4k@hotmail.com