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St. Charles East's Bronec goes from B team to big time

Nearing the unofficial halfway point of the high school basketball campaign, St. Charles East is currently in the middle of what could be its best season since the 2000-2001 squad captured the school's fourth sectional title.

Coach Patrick Woods' high-flying Saints extended their winning streak to 12 and improved their record to 14-1 (6-0 in Upstate Eight Conference River Division play) with Saturday's convincing 85-47 victory over visiting Elgin.

Before the season began, most observers were aware of the Saints' outside shooting prowess.

Seniors Cole Gentry, Jake Asquini, Jake Clodi, Mick Vyzral and juniors James McQuillan and Evan DiLeonardi all possess 3-point shooting range, giving Woods plenty of extra offensive options.

One of the few St. Charles East players not known for his 3-point shooting has nonetheless become a focal part of the Saints' success this season.

He is also the team's tallest player.

At 6-foot-8, Jack Bronec certainly looks like a basketball player.

Until this season, however, Bronec had not received much playing time on the basketball court over the course of his high school career.

As a freshman, Bronec was a member of the 'B' team.

"I had to develop a jump shot," said Bronec. "I was shooting sideways as a freshman."

Woods admitted that Bronec's superior height was a factor in the coaching staff's decision to keep him in the program.

"If he wasn't 6-4 or 6-5 back then, he probably would not have made the team," said Woods.

Due to his early growth, Bronec had some catching up to do with his body.

"In my mind, I would think I could do something but my body wouldn't let me do it," said Bronec.

He spent his second season as a member of the sophomore squad but "did not play a ton," according to Woods.

As a junior last season, Bronec played sparingly - seeing the majority of his court time after the outcome of games had already been determined.

Yet there was Bronec introduced in the starting varsity lineup during the Saints' 2014-15 season-opening game against East Aurora last November at St. Charles East's own Thanksgiving Tournament.

"I've been working on my game since freshman year," said Bronec, who has spent countless hours working with a personal trainer the past 3 years. "I've spent a lot of time getting stronger in the weight room."

The hard work is paying off.

Last month, Bronec played his way onto the Chuck Dayton all-tournament team at DeKalb as the Saints captured the title for the first time since legendary coach Ron Johnson guided St. Charles to the last of his 32 consecutive appearances in DeKalb.

Bronec began the tourney by posting back-to-back double-doubles during the Saints' victories over Mundelein and Sterling.

He scored 13 points and hauled down 12 rebounds in the team's 102-66 rout of Mundelein.

"He had two double-doubles and came close to getting a third," said Woods.

Junior guard/forward James McQuillan joined Bronec on the all-tournament team while senior guard Cole Gentry earned Most Valuable Player honors.

"It was a good confidence booster for me," said Bronec. "It shows that the last three years of hard work is paying off."

Prior to the season, Woods figured Bronec would see plenty of additional playing minutes.

"With the time we spent last summer, I knew what I was getting," said Woods.

"Coach Woods has shown a lot of confidence in me and I'm real happy about that," said Bronec. "He said the better I get, the better the team will get."

Gentry, known as one of the area's quickest players, enjoys having Bronec on his side.

"Not a whole lot of high school teams have kids his size," said Gentry. "It's something we have to take advantage of. He can be a force because he's so much bigger."

If defenses collapse on Bronec down low, he has the ability to kick the ball out to teammates for open 3-point looks.

"He's got some nice post moves," said Woods. "He ran a great screen and roll with Cole (Gentry) that ended with a dunk at DeKalb."

Woods, who seeks improved rebounding and consistency from his big man, also feels the sky is the limit for Bronec.

"I think he'll make a marked improvement from now to the end of the season," said the coach. "In the state playoffs, size is a factor for success.

"I think his best basketball is ahead of him. This is his first year playing quality minutes. It is a credit to him but he is not a finished product by any means. Big guys often don't develop until later. It is part of the growth process."

Bronec, who wears a size 15 shoe, comes from a family not vertically challenged.

"My dad is 6-4 and my mom is 5-11," said Bronec. "I also have some cousins who are pretty tall."

Bronec's diligence and dedication have not been lost on his teammates.

"Jack has always had a positive attitude and been accepting of the coaches," said Gentry. "As teammates, we appreciate that. He is a good example for other kids. He can be quiet but also funny. He's a good guy to be around.

"He is by far the most improved player in our senior class from where he was."

Bronec, who expects to play college basketball "somewhere" next season, offered some advice for younger players who might follow a similar high school path.

"Remember the feedback you receive from coaches along the way," said Bronec. "It is always good to be coachable. Be a team guy."

You can reach Craig Brueske at csb4k@hotmail.com

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