Boys Basketball: 'My heart is broken' St. Charles North players react to canceled season

Christian Czerniak and St. Charles North's boys basketball team were set to play for the program's first sectional championship on Friday night.

But their season is finished before the ball was even tipped off.

The IHSA announced on Thursday evening that it was canceling the remainder of the winter state series postseason tournaments, which includes boys basketball. This, after initially moving forward with plans to continue the basketball postseason with limited spectators.

The decision was made amid concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It comes in the wake of several professional sports leagues and the NCAA recently announcing plans to cancel or suspend seasons and tournaments across the country.

The news left the North Stars' players devastated.

"My heart is broken," said Czerniak, a senior guard. "We work[ed] [our] whole lives for this moment. We made it to the place this school [has] been trying to get back to since [2008-2009]. We had the win record. Love my guys and for it to end this way hurts."

St. Charles North won a program-record 23 wins, and its second consecutive regional final. But now the season is over.

“Man, words can’t even describe how I’m feeling,” St. Charles North senior point guard Luke Scheffers said.

The North Stars defeated Hononegah in the Class 4A sectional semifinal on Wednesday, going one step farther than last year's group.

“This is the best group I’ve been apart of ever," Czerniak said. "And, a huge thank you to coach [Tom] Poulin. My heart goes out to him as well because he deserves as much credit as the players.”

Poulin's emotions were with his players.

"I'm sad for the boys," Poulin said. "They invested so much into preparing for this moment. To have it taken away is sad. It’s frustrating and extremely disappointing."

"I don’t have the words to truly describe how sad I feel for the kids," Poulin continued. "But, it’s a decision that has been made for the greater good and with everyone’s best interests in mind. I am so proud of our team. They did things the right way. They played for each other, and poured their hearts into this season. They are true champions."

The North Stars graduate six seniors – Bradley recruit Connor Linke, Thomas Kellen, Nathan Gordon, Colin Nelson, Czerniak and Scheffers.

"I can’t believe this actually happened," Nelson said. "I have been playing basketball with Connor, Christian, [and] Nathan since fourth grade. And, I’ve known Tommy and Luke since seventh and eighth [while] watching high school basketball with them [and] wanting to do something for this school."

"We got so close and it feels like it was just ripped away from us," Nelson continued. "And, we didn’t have the chance to even try and get what we felt like we knew we could get."

Given the cancellations of other sporting events, Linke and his North Stars had it "In the back of their mind" that the playoffs might be canceled.

"I was so glad to be a part of this team, though, and thankful to represent the black and blue the past three seasons," Linke continued. "Our team made history, and I believe we left a lasting impact on basketball in the town."

"It sucks that the season had to come to this, but with everything that’s going on, it’s hard to argue that they made the wrong decision," Linke said. "I thank who was a part of this season as they made it a season that I will never forget."