We are taking a look at the DuKane conference teams today, a group with multiple notable returning players.

Batavia

There is a nice blend of experience and up-and-coming talent on this Batavia team. I’m expecting 6-foot-7 junior guard Jax Abalos to emerge as one of the better players in the area. A quickly-rising college prospect, Abalos added a few Division 1 offers and has established himself as a premier shooter with size. Point guard Nate Nazos had a good junior season and should be an all-conference player this year with how well he makes plays off of the dribble and guards the ball. He will make a good floor general at the next level.

6-foot-5 forward CJ Valente will have an increased role in the frontcourt and add value with his athleticism. Jacob Aseltine also returns to take some pressure off of Nazos and push the pace for the Bulldogs. 6-foot-5 wing Isaac Witt could be in a good spot to make an impact and be an X-Factor in certain games. Plenty of guard-play and weapons in this conference to compete with anyone.

Geneva

They lost a great backcourt duo who set the pace for them last year and led their post-season run. Senior Luke Matan (6-foot-5) will have a big season with a nice blend of shooting, slashing, and aggressiveness. Returning junior Hudson Kirby, who is also 6-foot-5, excels at the little things but will show more on the offensive end. He’s got very crafty footwork and touch inside and is a powerful athlete. Another stronger body, Tommy Diamond, will be a productive rebounder and interior option for the Vikings. Their guard-play is a bit inexperienced, but they had a good sophomore team a year ago and have ideal size and a defense to lean on.

Glenbard North

This may be the most physically imposing Glenbard North team in recent years, and they have had good length and athleticism over the last few seasons. It all starts with 6-foot-6 swingman JJ Hernandez, a multi-tool defender who has improved his ball-handling, shooting, and strength. Getting to the rim is still his strength and you can expect a lot of plays above the rim. Wheaton North transfer Jalen Crues (6-foot-7) has a chance to be really good for them this season. He’s another rangy, physical forward capable of stepping outside and protecting the rim. Sophomore Josh Abushanab will look like a completely different player this year as well after adding to his game this summer. They have a few returning guards who will give shooting and some defense.

Lake Park

Probably the deepest returning group in the DuKane, point guard Cam Cerese is an All-State, scholarship-level player who took a huge jump as a junior. The 6-foot-3 senior simply produces in whatever way you can ask for, from leadership, to perimeter defense, to scoring in bulk. If that wasn’t enough last year, he is quicker off of the dribble and has continued to improve his release from three. Tommy Rochford (6-foot-5) also should have a chance to play in college if he chooses that route. Another three-year player for the Lancers, Rochford is a stretch four with good physical strength and rebounding ability.

It should be another good year for 6-foot-2, 200 pound guard Dennasio LaGioia, who was a monster on the glass as a junior and had a number of big games from beyond the arc. He’s a great complement to Cerese and Rochford. 6-foot-9 center Pavle Magazin is a target for a number of local D3 programs and projects as a quality frontcourt presence this year. They are a team who has the senior firepower to make a run in the postseason.

St. Charles East

East got hot at the right time and made a run to the sectional championship. The downside is that Pat Woods, one of the mainstays and solid coaches in the area, moved on. But he did so with a great foundation to build on and some returners to ease the transition. Jacob Vrankovich was a volume rebounder last year and came on as a back-to-the-basket scorer and tough post player for the Saints. Brad Monkemeyer, who was up as a sophomore, is a bruiser with athleticism and some value as a high-post option.

Junior guard Marco Klebosits has the length, shooting ability, and flashes of perimeter skill to settle in as a go-to option in the backcourt. 6-foot-5 wing Andrew Wolfsmith also gives them size and a knockdown stroke to help space the floor.

St. Charles North

The North Stars will lean on some multi-sport athletes to round out a team that showed good fight over the summer. Senior Danny Connolly can light it up from three when given space and brings a willingness to mix it up inside if his jumper is taken away. Wing Parker Reinke, a Taylor University baseball commit, can put it on the ground and shoot it when needed. He will have a larger role this season.

6-foot-4 guard Cam Vine is entering his first varsity season and has a variety of ways of affecting the game with his athleticism and energy. I’d also keep an eye on two high-level football players who could contribute. Jake Furtney (Army) is a big body inside who worked the paint a year ago. 6-foot-3 forward Ethan Plum is a Power-5 level quarterback who also has some skill, footwork, and natural athleticism on the court.

Wheaton North

There is a good returning core, led by all-conference point guard Hudson Parker and 6-foot-3 shooter Jack Speers. Parker played his best when he was controlling the tempo and probing into the lane. Speers has made significant improvements with his creativity off the dribble and added a few inches since last year. He’s got high-D3 recruit written all over him.

William Bonga, Connor Speers, and Brady Blasucci should be impactful pieces to a fairly deep backcourt group that could play a lot of four-guard lineups. Blasucci has some lateral quickness and range, Bonga is a lankier guard with some versatility, and Speers is a strong wing who has no issue playing inside when needed. Freshman Ben Gilmar (6-foot-4) is going to be a star. Explosive, soft touch, and is an excellent defender at this stage. Another senior-laden group in this conference, the Falcons have some intrigue.

Wheaton Warrenville South

One of the deeper senior classes graduated after winning 56 games over the last two years. Not a lot returns, but Coach Healy has brought out the best of his groups and found buy-in for players in the system for years. Point guard Luca Carbonaro will be the focal point after being a primary ball-handler as a sophomore. There’s just a level of creativity and fearlessness that stands out about his game. Expect more shot-taking for him this year while carrying a heavier load and additional defensive attention. Similar to past years, they will be receiving some key pieces straight from the gridiron. 6-foot-3 forward Brady Goken, a promising tight-end, seems like a player who could seize the opportunities that are available for the new-look team.