In a lot of ways, the 2013-14 season was expected to be a big one at Naperville Central.
With Nick Czarnowski back for his fourth and final season on the varsity level, joined by fellow senior big man Pat Maloney and a solid point guard in Ryan Antony, the Redhawks fully expected to contend in the DuPage Valley Conference and beyond.
Claiming its first 20-win season since Drew Crawford’s departure following the 2008-09 season in which he spearheaded a program-best 27 wins, Naperville Central’s 20-8 campaign in 2013-14 in some ways was a case of what could have been.
“Yeah, that was a big accomplishment. I felt like we should have won 24 games, but we won 20 and we lost some close games from the free-throw line or just letting some get away from us,” Naperville Central coach Pete Kramer said. “We got beat on a couple last-second shots, especially in our last game of the season against Hinsdale Central (a 53-51 loss). … So it was just almost like we were kind of snake bit a little bit. I felt bad for our seniors.
“But at the same time, coming into the season, I feel good. I don’t know how deep we’re going to be, but I do know that we’ve got a solid seven or eight guys; a nice rotation. I’m not sure if we’re going to go real deeper than that. A lot of it depends on who steps in and who can prove that they can give us some varsity minutes.”
With Czarnowski having moved on to Hillsdale College after scoring 1,436 career points while averaging around 16 points and seven rebounds last year, along with
Maloney being off to Lewis University after proving to be the asset inside in averaging 9.8 points and 8.6 rebounds, a void in the post is evident.
At 6-foot-7, junior Harry Hallstrom and a 6-foot-9 sophomore in Matt Skowronski will be asked to try and fill the shoes of both Czarnowski and Maloney.
“(Skowronski) does some really good things for as big as he is and as young as he is. He’s pretty athletic and he’s long and he can rebound,” Kramer said. “He’ll score in time, but he’s got some nice moves around the basket. He’s got to become a better defender and I think there’s two things you can’t do as a coach.
“You can’t coach size and you can’t coach speed, so I think he’ll give us some more size, along with Harry. And that’ll free Harry up to not always play the five. He can play the three spot or the four spot, too. Hallstrom can also handle the ball real well, too, for his size.”
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Rugamba and Matthew Meier will look to help take over in the backcourt from Antony, a three-year varsity player who proved capable in running the offense through Czarnowski and hitting big shots.
“That’s key. We have two guards that have been up there with us at the varsity level as sophomores,” Kramer said. “Meier played a lot more than Manny, just because of the position he played and it’s hard to take Ryan off the floor last year. But Manny was up with us and got a good taste. I think just the experience with Matthew and Manny kind of have (will help us).
“(Nate) Dahl came off the bench and played a lot quality minutes for us and so did (Alex) Pomeroy. So we feel like we’ve got four kids that have a pretty good idea of what it takes.”
With the DuPage Valley Conference going through a transition as the six-team league will turn into a nine-team league next year with the additions of Neuqua Valley, Waubonsie Valley and Metea Valley, whoever wins the conference is anyone’s guess.
But considering several teams will be young coming into the year, any of the six schools might realistically harbor designs at competing for the DVC title.
“I think it’s kind of up for grabs. I think a lot of teams (are transitioning). I know Naperville North will be young. We’re going to be young,” Kramer said. “I think Wheaton South’s going to be young. I know Glenbard North will be young. So I think our chances are as good as any. So I feel pretty good about where we could fit conference-wise and where we sit. But predicting who’s going to win it, I don’t know.
“I mean, probably the team that grows up the fastest and comes together. Each team having kids that can find their roles. But it’s the DVC. We all know each other pretty well and we know each other’s systems. So a lot of it is just kids performing and making plays when they have to make them.”
