AT A GLANCE
Conference DuPage Valley
Home court 701 W. Thomas, Wheaton
2008-09 record 19-8 (12-2 DVC)
Coach David Eaton (6th year)
Top returners
Fantasia Vine jr. G
Lauren Graham jr. C
A.K. Feltes jr. F
Maddie Baillie so. G
Bri Graham sr. G
Megan Thornton sr. G
Paige Fowler sr. F
Jasmin Torres sr. G
Promising newcomers
Mandy Traversa fr. F
Sarah Weatherred so. G
KEY MATCHES
Jan. 16 at McDonald’s Midwest Classic This marks the first season in which the Falcons will play in this tourney, which features premier teams from throughout the Midwest.
Nov. 27 at Hinsdale South Thanksgiving Tournament vs. Hinsdale Central The Falcons will be facing DuPage Valley powerhouse Hinsdale Central, which is usually ranked among the top 10 teams in the state.
Dec. 12 at Wheaton Shootout at St. Francis This annual tournament takes place between Wheaton high schools – the Falcons, the host Spartans, Wheaton Warrenville South and Wheaton Academy.
WHAT TO WATCH
Normally, losing nine seniors off a squad that finished one win shy of 20 would be cause for concern. And Falcon head coach Dave Eaton admits he was apprehensive about the ability of Wheaton North’s youngsters to overcome those circumstances prior to summer league games this year.
However, Eaton has since put those concerns to rest.
“I was worried about our youth in the beginning of the summer,” he said, “but they’ve really committed themselves to basketball and worked hard during the offseason, so that’s not going to be a problem.”
Eaton, in fact, believes the 2009-10 Falcons should be in the thick of the DVC race.
“In the DVC, we’ll be right up there in the top three again,” he said. “The DVC is going to be very good, but we’re going to be right up there.”
The play of a trio of juniors — Fantasia Vine, Lauren Graham and A.K. Feltes — gives Eaton reason for optimism. Vine, a 5-foot-8 point guard who already has Division I offers on the table from UW Milwaukee, Youngstown State and Wichita State, is the Falcons’ leading returning scorer and rebounder (9.8 points and 3.7 rebounds per game). She also led the team in steals (2.2 per game).
“She’s communicating well, and teaching the (younger) kids,” Eaton said. “She’s helping out our entire program. I expect a big year from her. I’m excited for her, and she will have a very successful year. At 5-foot-8, she’s tall for a point guard. She’s got a great outside shot, she’s strong and she’s got a great vertical leap. She brings a lot to the table.”
Graham will be the Falcons’ presence in the low post. “Lauren is strong,” Eaton said. “She has great feet for a post player, and has been very athletic and dominating since last two weeks of the summer. She has done a fantastic job and is extremely aggressive.”
Eaton also notes the progress that Feltes (5-10) has made since last season.
“At end of last year, she really caught on and led us in scoring a couple of games late in the season,” Eaton said. “She has great jumping ability and she rebounds the heck out of the basketball. She has developed into a great outside shooter, and we’re looking for her to help out on the perimeter and on the boards offensively and defensively.”
Eaton also will be counting on seniors Bri Graham, Megan Thornton, Paige Fowler and Jasmin Torres to contribute.
Overall, he said the key to Wheaton North’s success this season will be to do the little things right — and to stay healthy.
“What we talk about in practice is boxing out and defending,” he said. “The shooting is going to come and go, but if we box out and defend, you’ll leave yourself in a position to be in the game at the end.
“We’re fundamentally sound and we really work hard. We’re going to be competitive in every basketball game. The thing I stress is the effort. They’ll work hard, box out, defend and do the little things well.”
