Boys basketball: Scouting St. Charles North
We all know about St. Charles North.
The North Stars entered the 2010-11 boys basketball season armed with a bounty of highly regarded players that made them the area’s team to beat. In his preseason prospectus coach Tom Poulin suggested a possibility of “extended success in the state tournament.”
It didn’t work out. Aside from a solid showing in the Upstate Eight Conference River Division, 8-4 and tied with Batavia for second behind Elgin, the North Stars opened the season 0-3 and scrambled thereafter toward a 14-14 overall record.
Disappointing, yes. But Poulin saw something from his returning players he believes will rid the memory. Players in the gym, the day after St. Charles North’s first-round playoff loss, working together. A large core has played together spring, summer and fall, in open gym and on their own, to prepare for this season.
“I think we learned the importance of being part of something bigger than yourself,” Poulin said. “I think the guys learned a very valuable lesson from last year, and have worked very hard in the off-season to make sure something like that doesn’t happen again.”
The reality is St. Charles North remains one of the teams to beat.
Quinten Payne, the junior Loyola recruit and gym rat wizard who averaged 12.9 points and 3 assists last season, is back to whip pinpoint passes and finish at the rim like few can.
Back too is 6-foot-8 senior Kyle Nelson, who has offers from South Dakota State, Western Michigan, Lewis University and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. A leader by example, Nelson averaged 12.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks last season. He’s a great help-side defender who is ready to display a perimeter shooting touch.
More good news is junior Tony Neari, who last season shifted between starting and sixth man, now handles point guard to free up Payne. Returning starter Jason Weinzirl, a guard, is returning slowly from a knee injury.
Poulin also has rugged seniors like guard Michael Schroeder and undersized banger Will Ohlrich, and 6-5 juniors Kyle Swanson and Justin Stanko off a 19-win sophomore team. They are among a large group eager to accept roles.
Poulin cites a lack of varsity minutes except for the top returnees as an early soft spot, and he’d like to develop a stronger inside game.
On the other hand, depth, chemistry and a desire to defend are all strengths. That is a great place to start.
“Last year we went in with some burden on our shoulder,” Poulin said. “This year we go in with a chip on our shoulder.”