Scouting DuPage County boys water polo
Top teams: Naperville Central, Naperville North, Neuqua Valley.
Top players: Jan Anderssen (Waubonsie Valley, Jr.); Kyle Brennan (Hinsdale South, Sr.); Riley Byrne (Metea Valley, Sr.); Cameron Casey (Neuqua Valley, Sr.); Max Chamberlain (Metea Valley, Sr.); Mikey Corson (Hinsdale South, Sr.); Jacob Cunningham (Neuqua Valley, Sr.); Tim Delaney (York, Sr.); Dominic DelSignore (Neuqua Valley, Sr.); Kent Emden (Naperville Central, So.); Matthew Flanders (Metea Valley, Sr.); Kyle Geekie (Neuqua Valley, Sr.); Parker Hicks (York, Sr.); Jack Hiss (Neuqua Valley, So.); Ashton Howser (Metea Valley, Sr.); Cole Jacobs (Naperville North, Sr.); James Kiwiet (Hinsdale South, Sr.); Todd Kuebelbeck (Neuqua Valley, Sr.); Alex Marlott (York, Sr.); Adam McGovern (Neuqua Valley, Sr.); Nik Miklyulch (York, Sr.); Brandon Morrow (Naperville North, Sr.); JonJon Pettinger (Naperville North, Sr.); Chris Popiolek (Naperville North, Sr.); Matt Reagan (Naperville Central, Sr.); Bender Russo (Naperville Central, So.); Alec Schopler (Neuqua Valley, Sr.); Michael Stern (Naperville Central, Sr.); Quentin Tiscareno (Waubonsie Valley, Jr.); Wyatt Tiscareno (Waubonsie Valley, Sr.); Nolan Vaughan (Naperville Central, Sr.); Nicholas Walsh (Neuqua Valley, Sr.); Spencer Weiland (Waubonsie Valley, Sr.); Nick Zillier (Naperville North, Sr.);
Outlook: Naperville Central goes into the spring with the title of defending state champ. The team ran the table with a 35-0 record en route to capturing its first state title. However, six of the seven starters graduated. But coach Bill Salentine believes this year's squad has plenty of strengths to be successful. "There's team speed. We are fast. Our defense is solid and it starts with a great goalie," he said. Sophomore Kent Emden will be back in net. Also expected to contribute are seniors Matt Reagan, Nolan Vaughan and Michael Stern along with sophomore Bender Russo. Right now, the Redhawks are a work in progress. "It's a matter of finding the best combination of personnel. The players that were second string last year need to step up as do the JV players that are now on varsity," Salentine said.
Naperville Central has consistently been a state power since water polo became an Illinois High School Association sport. The atmosphere at the Naperville Central pool this year is different, though, with a state championship trophy in a school display case, but in a good way. "Everybody is very excited. We had a record number of kids try out. We had to make cuts. We've selected our team. It's time to get down to business," Salentine said.
The only team that got into Naperville North's way in last year's postseason was eventual state champ Naperville Central, beating the Huskies in the sectional final. Naperville North finished with a 24-8-1 record, and a good core of players responsible for that return. However, coach Martin Bell stressed that team depth needs to develop as the season progresses. "This year we have a lot of strong returning players, but a small bench. We need to develop our underclassmen to improve our overall team strength," he said. Senior Cole Jacobs is a returning All-American and will continue playing at the U.S. Naval Academy next season. Senior JonJon Pettinger is a returning all-state pick with seniors Chris Popiolek, Nick Zillier, and senior goalie Brandon Morrow also brings experience to the Huskies' lineup. "We need to get strong production out of Michael Anderson, Dave Blaha and Calvin Chow," Bell said. Anderson and Blaha are seniors, Chow is a junior.
There's a new leader taking the Neuqua Valley Wildcats into the 2017 season. Chad Ganden, previously coach at Waubonsie Valley, takes over as Neuqua tries to improve upon last season's 17-14 record and sectional semifinal appearance. "I feel they are capable of doing anything they feel like if they put in the work and effort," Ganden said. "They are learning the methods I like and they are working on methods they like and anything is possible." The Neuqua coach is looking to nine returning players to set the tone for the season. They are seniors Cameron Casey, Dominic DelSignore, Nicholas Walsh, Adam McGovern, Jacob Cunningham, Alec Schopler, Kyle Geekie and Todd Kuebelbeck and sophomore Jack Hiss. "We are not looking for somebody to be a 100-point player. We are looking for seven guys to score 70 points each. That's the best scenario. We want everybody to be a threat," Ganden said.
Coach Mike McWhirter takes over a Waubonsie Valley team that has plenty of experience and is looking to improve upon last season's first-round sectional exit. "Since most of these players have played together over the last three years, they will help build strong leadership and strength coming into the season," McWhirter said. Those players are seniors Wyatt Tiscareno and Spencer Weiland and juniors Jan Anderssen and Quentin Tiscareno. Weiland is the team's veteran goalie. "We're trying to focus on fundamentals over everything else, bring water polo back to the basics," McWhirter said.
Every team has high hopes for a new season and Metea Valley is no exception. "The boys are lining up to have the best season on record," coach Adam Zankowski said. "We have a line of excellent leaders and every player is determined to give it their all every single game. We aim to start strong and finish stronger." Metea looks to improve upon last season's 16-15-1 record and sectional quarterfinal appearance. And the Mustangs will do with experience on both offense and defense. Flanders racked up 36 goals and 40 steals last season with Byrne, a goalie, making 22 saves in a single game. He finished with 295 saves and 53 steals. Chamberlain was a big playmaker with 35 assists and 43 steals and Howser scored 32 goals to go with 34 assists and 39 steals.
York's season ended in 2016 where every team wants it to conclude, the state finals at Stevenson High School. The Dukes lost to eventual state champ Naperville Central in the quarterfinals to finalize their record at 23-8-2. Several players who had a hand in the success have returned. Senior Alex Marlott was York's second-leading scorer last season and earned all-conference and all-sectional honors. Senior Parker Hicks is a three-year starter, and Drumm said his physical presence boosts the lineup. Nik Miklyukh is another top scorer returning and Tim Delaney boosts the team's defense. "We are going to need our newcomers to varsity to step up. Our frosh-soph team took second in conference last year, so we know there is talent in our junior and sophomore classes. The quicker they become comfortable with the tempo of the varsity game the better. They can provide a lot of depth," Drumm said.
Graduation hit Hinsdale Central hard after it finished 14-14-1 in 2016 with a sectional first-round appearance. But coach Christina Brodell believes the Red Devils are on the right track for the upcoming season. "It's a cliché to say you're rebuilding, but that's what's happening. But we have young players stepping up and I'm very pleased with their motivation, drive and passion for the game. It will be a positive season. They made strides in just the first week," she said. Brodell is counting on two seniors and two juniors returning with plenty of experience. The seniors are Mason Schmidt and Matt McCann and juniors Scott Spinazola and Duncan Ferguson, the team's goalie. "The three players up front are offensive threats and strong defensively. Duncan is a great goalie," Brodell said.
Hinsdale South had a big season in 2016, finishing 22-8 and reaching the Metea Valley sectional semifinals before losing to eventual state champ Naperville Central. Three players who will play a key role in keeping the success going are senior James Kiwiet and senior all-sectional goalie Mikey Corson along with junior Kyle Brennan. "Strength is in our unity and ability to work together as a team. These young men are an extremely tight group," coach Beth Walker said.
Top games: Naperville Quad at Naperville North, March 10-11; Fenwick Tournament, March 16-18; Hinsdale South Hornet Invite, March 18; Naperville North at Naperville Central, March 21; Oak Park-River Forest at York, March 22; York Tournament, March 31-April 1; Naperville Central at Neuqua Valley, April 4; Naperville North Huskie Invite, April 8; Hinsdale South at Hinsdale Central, April 10; Hinsdale South at Sandburg, April 11; Best of the West (Naperville), April 14-15; Neuqua Valley at Naperville North, April 18; Neuqua Valley at Lyons, April 20; Hinsdale South at Lafayette Tournament (St. Louis), April 21-22; Waubonsie Valley at Lincoln-Way Central Tournament, April 22; Lyons at Naperville North, April 25; Hinsdale South at Lockport, April 26; Stevenson Tournament, April 28-29; Naperville North at Stevenson, May 3.
- D.J. Wanberg