Boys basketball: Metea Valley chooses Walpole as coach

Metea Valley's swiftness in naming Matt Walpole new varsity boys basketball coach on Monday is a testament to the mentoring process between Walpole and former coach Bob Vozza.

"What a mentor to learn from," said Walpole, a 2002 University of Illinois graduate and two-time Mid-Suburban League all-conference shooting guard at Prospect High School. He is a dean of students for current Metea freshman, in his first year in that capacity after working as a special-education teacher.

Walpole and Vozza arrived simultaneously at Metea Valley to launch the boys basketball program at the newest District 204 high school - Vozza from Neuqua Valley and Walpole from Waubonsie Valley, where he had been the sophomore coach for three years.

Walpole led the Mustangs sophomores the past six seasons, and when Vozza suddenly announced his resignation April 6 to spend more time with his family, it took little more than a month to make the in-house promotion.

"I enjoy his approach to the game, his demeanor and the way he treats all student-athletes with respect," Walpole said of Vozza.

"And in terms of X's and O's I haven't seen anybody better. Being on the bench six years I just learned a ton and I'm hoping to add some bricks to the foundation that he built."

Boys from last season's 15-8 sophomore squad will join returning Metea varsity starters Malik Hall and Jeremy Hunter, plus a point guard with minutes, Jayden Reed.

"For me, I'm a big believer in building relationships," Walpole said. "The benefit for me is most of these student-athletes I've coached already. I know most of their strengths and their challenge areas, I've had relationships with their families, and I'm looking forward to building on that."

Metea Valley comes off a 14-16 season, its first in the DuPage Valley Conference. Walpole will emphasize defending DVC foes whose style contrasted that of the up-tempo Mustangs. His experience in the physical Mid-Suburban South - including a 10-0 MSL South record in 1996-97 - may pay dividends.

"It took me back to my roots," he said. "I'm a defense-first type of coach. That's item No. 1 on my agenda."

Walpole lives in Naperville with his wife, Megan, a Metea math teacher he called his "No. 1 supporter" in pursuing the varsity position.

"I'm passionate about the game," he said. "I've played the game my entire life, and you need to respect it. That's what I like to instill in all the players I coach."