Boys Basketball: Naperville Central excited about quick start

Updated: December 1, 2011 7:11PM

Coming into the season, Naperville Central coach Pete Kramer’s excitement about the group he has charged with improving on last season’s 13 victories was palpable.

Through the season’s first week, that excitement has probably only grown.

The Redhawks’ 3-1 record and runner-up finish in the Hoops for Healing Tournament last week perhaps might be the start to a surprising year.

Naperville Central sophomore center Nick Czarnowski averaged 18.3 points in the tournament and eclipsed the 20-point mark twice.

With much attention being paid to Czarnowski, through the season’s first week the Redhawks have shown the ability to hit from the outside, marking a significant difference from a year ago.

“We got kids who can knock down threes, so that’s gonna be a little different look than last year when we had one or two kids who can knock them down,” Kramer said before the start of the season. “But we have four guys on the perimeter who can all shoot.”

Senior guard Bryce Kirk had 10 points in the Redhawks’ 66-61 loss to No. 6 De La Salle last Friday, while sophomore Austin Pauga contributed nine points, all of them coming courtesy of three three-pointers, in the close loss.

Two days earlier, senior forward Jabari Hartfield came off the bench to score 15 points and hit on a pair of three-pointers in a 73-69 victory over Oswego.

This weekend presents an opportunity for Naperville Central to build off its success last week when it begins DuPage Valley Conference play tonight at home against Glenbard East, which has won 28 DVC games in succession, and a home date tomorrow night against Waubonsie Valley, which opens Upstate Eight Valley play tonight at home against South Elgin.

Last year, Naperville Central lost all three of its games with Glenbard East, which finished third in Class 4A, and dropped a 59-56 decision in Aurora to the Warriors, which saw Waubonsie Valley junior guard Jared Brownridge score a game-high 17 points.

While the Redhawks (3-1) will stay home for a pair of early-season tests, No. 24 Metea Valley, off to a 5-0 start after claiming the Joliet West Thanksgiving Classic, hosts a Ryan Boatright-less East Aurora tonight.

Junior Sean Davis scored a game-high 22 points in the Mustangs’ 87-65 victory over Kaneland on Tuesday, a development that coach Bob Vozza will love to see continue as the season progresses.

Having its entire team back from a year ago has certainly started to show dividends for Metea Valley.

“I’d say it’s a natural progression in terms of improvement. My junior to senior class, they’re a year older. They understand things. I’d think they’re picking up on things quicker,” Vozza said. “Overall, I think my senior class has improved.”

That was evident from the start as seniors Kenny Obendorf, LaShawn Cargo and Milan Bojanic all scored in double figures in the Mustangs’ 69-64 season-opening victory over Plainfield South on Nov. 22.

Obendorf garnered MVP honors in the Joliet West Thanksgiving Classic after tallying 20 points in a 62-55 victory over Rich South on Nov. 26.

Both Naperville North (2-2) and Neuqua Valley start their conference schedules tonight on the road against Wheaton North and Lake Park, respectively.

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