WHEATON ACADEMY WARRIORS
AT A GLANCE
Conference Suburban Christian
Home court 900 Prince Crossing Road, West Chicago
2008-09 record 17-10
Coach Paul Ferguson
Top returners
Tim Rusthoven sr. F
Anthony Ritchie sr. F
Quinn Gorski sr. G
Jon Burdett sr. G
Chris Lesner sr. F
Brian Pell sr. G
Promising newcomers
Luke Johnson jr. C
KEY MATCHES
Nov. 23-28 Wheaton Academy Tournament Warriors face talented Class 4A competition right off the bat, including Wheaton South on Nov. 27
Dec. 8 vs. Wheaton North at Wheaton College Playing the Falcons on the college court at Wheaton College will provide another early challenge
Jan. 5 at Charlotte Christian (NC) Winter break takes the Warriors to North Carolina, where they face a powerful team formerly coached by ex-NBA great Bobby Jones
WHAT TO WATCH
Wheaton Academy looks to win consecutive regional championships, and have the perfect impact player to lead the pursuit.
Tim Rusthoven comes off a huge junior year that earned him a scholarship to play Division I basketball at William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va.
“He has that (decision) out of the way, so now he can concentrate on the season,” Wheaton Academy coach Paul Ferguson said. “Tim had a great season last year and really improved over the summer. We’re looking for a lot of leadership from him, and he has the ability to be the best player in the area.”
Rusthoven will also have a strong supporting cast, including fellow 2009 all-conference player Anthony Ritchie.
“He’s a great rebounder and defender, scores around the basket ... he’s a tremendous asset to the team,” Ferguson said.
Quinn Gorski will anchor the backcourt, shifting from the shooting guard spot he occupied last year to start at the point.
“We have six seniors who all played a lot of minutes last year, and they’re all back,” Ferguson said, referring also to top 2008-09 reserves Jon Burdett, Chris Lesner and Brian Pell.
Providing even more power inside is 6-foot-8 transfer Luke Johnson.
“He’s shown a lot of potential,” Ferguson said. “We’re excited about him.”
There’s plenty to be excited about this year with a strong team (the Warriors won a summer tournament featuring all the conference’s new squads) and plenty of new wrinkles. Besides debuting in the Suburban Christian Conference, Wheaton Academy welcomes former Wheaton College coach Bill Harris as an assistant and will make a January trip to remember.
“We’re going to North Carolina this year to play Charlotte Christian High School,” Ferguson said, “and we’re going to practice at the University of North Carolina and go to the N.C. State-Florida, Duke-Clemson and Davidson-Samford games.”
— Dave Owen
ST. FRANCIS SPARTANS
AT A GLANCE
Conference Suburban Christian
Home court Roosevelt and County Farm Roads, Wheaton
2008-09 record 14-12
Coach Shawn Healy
Top returners
Larry Murison sr. F
Joe Pfeiffer sr. F
Dave Spahn sr. G/F
Mark Schmitt sr. G
Tony Vargyas sr. G
Kevin Fassnacht sr. G
Jake Butler sr. G
Jack Spangler sr. G
Promising newcomers
Ryan Coyle so. F
Michael Yanan jr. F
Eric Stout jr. G
Colin O’Donnell jr. G
Vinnie Kraig jr. F
Joe Cox jr. F/G
Michael Scholl jr. F
KEY GAMES
Dec. 26-30 at York Holiday Tournament The Spartans make their debut in this 16-team tournament, moving over from Glenbard West
Jan. 18 vs. Hales Franciscan at Martin Luther King Shootout St. Francis is part of a tournament honoring the civil rights hero, to be played at Whitney Young High School
Jan. 23 at Wheaton Academy Led by Division I forward Tim Rusthoven, the Warriors won the conference summer tournament and are favored in the winter
Feb. 12 vs. Chicago Christian One of the conference newcomers, Chicago Christian reached the regional finals last year
WHAT TO WATCH
St. Francis must replace three starters from last year’s squad, including top scorer David Palash, and another change comes with the team’s move into the newly formed Suburban Christian Conference (which added three Private School league teams and Guerin to the former Suburban Catholic).
Back in the fold from a year ago are two returning starters in Larry Murison and Joe Pfeiffer, both standing 6-foot-3. The Spartans routinely battled size mismatches last year inside, but have depth to offset any lack of a towering presence this winter as nine players are 6-foot-2 or taller. Sophomore Ryan Coyle is the Spartans’ tallest player at 6-foot-4.
Last season’s final record was deceiving, as St. Francis was rolling along with a 14-7 record into February before dropping five games in a row.
WEST CHICAGO WILDCATS
AT A GLANCE
Conference DuPage Valley
Home court 326 Joliet St., West Chicago
2008-09 record 8-17 (2-12 DVC)
Coach Kevin Baldus (1st year)
Top returners
Chad Driscoll sr. G
Ryan Karg sr. F
Charles Jacques sr. G
Al Robbins sr. G
Kevin Peterson sr. C
Promising newcomers
Lamar Morre sr. G
Rob Windisch jr. G
KEY MATCHES
Nov. 23-27 at Oswego Tournament Thanksgiving event kicks off the 2008-09 campaign
Dec. 4 at Wheaton North West Chicago opens DVC action against the Falcons
Dec. 19-23 at Glenbard West Tournament Wildcats travel to Glen Ellyn for holiday tournament
WHAT TO WATCH
After three rounds of interviews by multiple staff members, Kevin Baldus was eventually named head coach last May following the March resignation of former coach Kevin Gimre, who had been in the position for the last eight years.
Baldus graduated from West Chicago in 1993 and was a three-year varsity contributor for the Wildcats’ boys basketball program. He eventually went on to play at North Central College and has experience working in programs that includes Willowbrook and Glenbard West.
“I have high expectations for this team and if we play like we are capable, then we can achieve a lot this season as a team and program,” Baldus said. “Confidence is high. With the amount of returning starters and seniors we have coming back we are excited to get the season underway.”
But with experience and a deep bench being the strengths of the group, Baldus believes his team needs to get better at a significant aspect of the game.
“I would like us to improve on the defensive end of the floor,” the first-year coach said. “This is something that I take pride in and want to make sure that we make it tough on our opponents to score baskets.”
And Baldus still expects his team to be in the thick of league supremacy.
“This season there isn’t a down team in the conference, there will be a lot of teams competing at a high level all season to win the championship,” he said. “I expect us to be part of those teams looking to win a conference title.”
