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Matthew Meier, Naperville Central have eyes set on DVC Title

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Conclusions through two games into a 16-game DuPage Valley Conference schedule may not hold much water, but that didn’t stop Neuqua Valley coach Todd Sutton from making one.

“We thought he might be the MVP and we certainly think he’s definitely a lead candidate for MVP of the conference at this point,” Sutton said.

The “he” Sutton was making reference to? Naperville Central’s Matthew Meier.

Meier’s game-high 23 points in the Redhawks’ 59-53 Dec. 9 victory over the Wildcats snapped the program’s five-game losing streak to Neuqua Valley.

Five 20-point games have highlighted the start to Meier’s senior campaign – a career-high 29-point in a 55-49 victory over Metea Valley two days after Sutton heaped his praise leading the way.

His scoring average gradually going from 4.7 points as a sophomore to 11.9 points as a junior and 18.2 points thus far as a senior points to the benefits of 70 career games.

For the 6-foot-2 Meier, the reason is cut and dry.

“I think, at times last year, I felt like if I didn’t have the ball in my hand, I was kind of tentative and I’d kind of go in slumps at times,” he said. “I just know that in order for our team to be successful, I’m going to have to stay aggressive and look for my shots at times, at times dish it off. But I also, like I said, get a lot of my points at the free throw line going up strong to the hoop.”

A week after posting his career high with the 29 points against the Mustangs, Meier was at it again as the Redhawks posted what may have been their most impressive victory of the year.

He connected on four three-pointers during a 67-34 victory on Dec. 18 at Waubonsie Valley while coming a point shy of a sixth 20-point game.

After watching the Redhawks blitz his team for 11 triples during the 33-point victory, Warriors’ coach Chaz Taft made note of the same thing.

“He does a great job of penetrating to the basket and what he does is he’s very aggressive – so you have to help out on him,” Taft said of Meier. “And when he’s so aggressive, when it gets to five, six fouls, he’s going to the free throw line because he takes advantage of that. He’s a very smart player.”

All the responsibilities he has placed upon his senior leader on both sides of the floor has Naperville Central coach Pete Kramer concerned about keeping him fresh as the season wears on.

Cognizant in the importance of his play – both offensively and defensively – to the program’s hopes of getting its first regional title since 2008-09, Meier’s competitiveness keeps the motor running.
His uncanny ability of being able to make a play for either himself or one of the many shooters – Kendrick, Nick Kramer, Noah Swope – he has alongside points to offensive potency.

All you have to do is ask.

“I love playing with Matthew,” fellow senior Kendrick said. “We’ve been playing together since what? Fifth grade, fourth grade. We’ve been on the same travel team. I love to play with him. He’ll drive to the basket and if the team collapses, I’ll be waiting for the three and I’ll knock down an open shot. So will everyone else and it’s just been fun this year.”

The start of the 2016 portion of its schedule finds Naperville Central at 9-4 overall and in sole possession of the DVC lead with games against Wheaton Warrenville South and Naperville North upcoming.

Twelve conference games remain on the schedule – including two with both Naperville North and Wheaton North and road dates with Neuqua Valley and Metea Valley – but Meier and crew seem poised at a run.

“I’m just letting shots come to me,” Meier said. “I’m not trying to force things too much. Teammates are finding me. They’re trusting me to score points every single night and playing consistently. And, so, I’m just glad I’ve been able to do that. I’ve been aggressive. When I’ve wanted to drive, I’ve done that, and when I’ve hit threes, I’ve done that. I just think it’s opening up things for everyone else to score and it’s just … we’re doing well so far.”

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Blake Baumgartner
Blake Baumgartner
Raised in Naperville, Blake Baumgartner is a 2001 Naperville Central alumnus and a 2005 graduate of Michigan State's School of Journalism. Since March 2010, he has covered football, boys' basketball and baseball for both The Naperville Sun and Positively Naperville. Follow him on Twitter @BFBaumgartner.

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