Tri-Cities boys basketball season in review
Aurora Central
Record: 25-5 overall (set school record for wins), 12-2 in the Suburban Catholic Conference (tied with Driscoll for first).
How season ended: Won Class 3A ACC regional title (11th in school history); Lost to Marshall in the sectional semifinal at Riverside-Brookfield.
Highlight of the season: Setting school record for wins, winning a regional title and playing in the sectional.
Losses to graduation: Mark Adams, Mark Brauweiler, Aaron Rubio.
Top returning players: Mike Adams, jr., F/C; Nick Czaja, jr., C; Steve Hollon, so., G; Joey Guth, so., G; Brian O'Donnell, jr., G; Anthony Kelley, jr., G.
Final quote from coach Nate Drye: "It was a great year…but I thought we could have beat (Marshall)…we didn't shoot the ball well."
Aurora Christian
Record: 18-11 overall, 4-4 in the Private School League (fifth).
How season ended: Won Class 2A Aurora Christian regional title (second consecutive; 10th since joining the IHSA in 1989); Lost to West Carroll in the Byron sectional semifinal.
Highlight of the season: Winning a regional title after an emotional season dedicated to Stephanie Davidson, coach Don Davidson's wife who passed away just before the season started.
Losses to graduation: Phil Rutherford, Marcus Barnes, Dan Owen, T.J. McNelis, Joe Redmond, David Campbell.
Top returning players: Nate Hill, jr., G/F; Eric Andersen, jr., F; Jordan Roberts, jr., G; Salomon Kabongo, so., C; Travis Cleveland, jr., F.
Final quote from coach Don Davidson: "Winning a regional was a nice way to cap the season…(but) we thought we'd be a couple games better -- but every coach thinks that at the start of the season."
Batavia
Record: 21-6 overall, 12-2 in the Western Sun Conference (first).
How season ended: Lost to Bartlett in the Class 4A Bartlett regional title game.
Highlight of the season: Being able to overcome Nick Fruendt's illness during Elgin's Holiday Tournament, which the Bulldogs won. Also playing toe-to-toe against Simeon in a game where the Bulldogs eventually lost in two overtimes.
Losses to graduation: Nick Fruendt, Jordan Smith, Phil Albrecht, Peter West, Stewart Charles, Jordan Church, Jim White.
Top returning players: David Bryant, jr., G; Ricky Clopton, so., F; Ben Potter, jr., G; Jordan Coffey, jr., C.
Final quote from coach Jim Roberts: "It was neat to see the kids step up when (Fruendt) was out (with mono). The kids regrouped around the holidays."
Geneva
Record: 17-12 overall, 9-5 in the Western Sun Conference (tied for third).
How season ended: Lost in triple overtime to Naperville Central in the Class 4A Naperville North regional.
Highlight of the season: Even though the Vikings lost, it was the last game of the season in triple overtime. Coach Tim Pease said he's, "never been a part of anything like that."
Losses to graduation: Max Cary, Alex Turnowchyk, Chris Jordan, Isaiah Bock, Grant Douglas.
Top returning players: Jeremy D'Amico, jr., G/F; Jake Tauscher, jr., G; Tyler Scofield, jr., F; Rob Tauscher, jr., F; Christian Frederking, jr., F; Michael Santacaterina, so., G; Sean Grady, jr., F.
Final quote from coach Tim Pease: "This was one of my favorite seasons, and I have been doing this since 1985. This team showed me some things -- they reminded me this is fun. That's what I will remember most about this team."
Kaneland
Record: 10-17 overall, 5-9 in the Western Sun Conference (sixth).
How season ended: Lost to Burlington Central in the Class 3A Sycamore regional semifinal.
Highlight of the season: Down 26 points, the Knights came back and beat rival Geneva the second time these two teams met in the regular season.
Losses to graduation: Nick Wagner, Kevin Green, Nate Peters.
Top returning players: Ryley Bailey, so., G; Mike Pritchard, jr., F; Ryan Blake, jr., G; Chris Ott, jr., G; Brody Root, jr., G; Steve Colombe, so., F; Dave Dudzinski, so., C; Christian Dillon, jr., C; Danny Arnold, jr., G; Joe Spitzzeri, jr., G; Curtis Lubic, jr., G.
Final quote from coach Dennis Hansen: "I thought we had some good and bad moments, but we put our best together at the end of the season. We gave (Burlington Central) a battle. Our season was up and down, and I expected that. We did what I thought we'd do."
Marmion
Record: 12-14 overall, 7-7 in the Suburban Catholic Conference (fourth).
How season ended: Lost to Glenbard South in the Class 3A ACC regional semifinal.
Highlight of the season: Beating Driscoll, the co-champs of the SCC, on its home floor in early January.
Losses to graduation: Robert Reder, Tyler Smith, Manny Juarez, Robbie Whitehead, Luke Colquist.
Top returning players: David Brouch, jr., G; Sean Fichtel, jr., G; James O'Shaughnessy, so., F; Bryce Emory, jr., F.
Final quote from coach Rashon Burno: "It was a good year. The guys realized what it takes to be successful. They improved leaps and bounds."
St. Charles East
Record: 13-14 overall, 6-4 in the Upstate Eight Conference.
How season ended: Lost to Elgin in the Class 4A Larkin regional semifinal.
Highlight of the season: Beating Waubonsie Valley in the last conference game of the season, which spoiled the Warriors chance at the conference title.
Losses to graduation: Ryan Suits, Cam Caruso, Mike Manisco, Marc Stellato, Brian Lankton, Jake Krzeczowski, Collin Pryor.
Top returning players: Kevin Senechalle, jr., F; Zach Scott, jr., G; Phil Kohlhagen, jr., G; Tim Russell, jr., F; Jeff Jones, jr., G; Joe Vitali, jr., C.
Final quote from coach Brian Clodi: "It was a great season. We played a very competitive schedule with highly competitive teams."
St. Charles North
Record: 17-12 overall (tied school record in wins), 7-3 in the Upstate Eight Conference (third).
How season ended: Lost to Elgin in the Class 4A Larkin regional final.
Highlights of the season: After starting the year 2-7, the North Stars finished the year by tying the school record in wins, going on a 5-game winning streak, including 2 double-overtime games and beating St. Charles East.
Losses to graduation: Joe Deliberto, Nic Higgins, Jake Thornton, Danny Jimenez, Rusty Lavaja, Chris Nelson, Tim Janeway, Austin Peterson.
Top returning players: Nick Neari, jr., G; Mike Kastel, jr., F/C; Jonathan DeMoss, jr., G/F; Jake Juriga, jr., F; Zach Hirsch, jr., F.
Final quote from coach Tom Poulin: "It was a successful season. We tied the school records for wins. They have a lot to hold their heads high about, and they have a lot to be proud of…They took a step forward."
West Aurora
Record: 18-9 overall, 9-5 in the DuPage Valley Conference (third).
How season ended: Lost to Neuqua Valley in the Class 4A Willowbrook regional final.
Highlight of the season: Winning the first 10 games of the season, including the Rock Island's Thanksgiving tournament.
Losses to graduation: Tyler Thompson, Corbin Spearman, Marquis Stewart, Bobbie Hickson, Theo Hicks.
Top returning players: Marcus Cocroft, jr., G; Jamal Blackmond, jr., G/F; Derrick Johnson, so., F; Malcom Graham, jr., G.
Final quote from coach Gordie Kerkman: "I wouldn't say we were disappointed, but it could have been a better season. We started off (10-0) and we hit a spell halfway through the season. We lost some tough ballgames…but you have to give those other teams some credit."
-- Christine Bolin