Boys Basketball notes: Ethan Marlowe takes his turn as St. Charles North’s focal point

Ethan Marlowe knows his job won’t be finished until the final buzzer.

Marlowe, a 6-foot-8 St. Charles North junior, has grown from a prominent role off the bench to becoming a focal point in the team’s revamped starting lineup alongside Max Love.

“Me and Max, we’re taking on that captain role now,” Marlowe said. “...Last year, as a sophomore coming off the bench [I did] little bit here and there and my job is done. [Now], my job is not going to be over until the buzzer at the end of the fourth quarter.”

“We have a few seniors on the team, but it’s going to be big for me and Max to be able to step up, take that captain-leader role, facilitate everything on the court...just do everything.”

The North Stars the last two seasons compiled one of the best stretches in program history, winning consecutive regional titles and a sectional semifinal last year before the coronavirus pandemic canceled the rest of the IHSA boys basketball postseason.

Luke Scheffers, Christian Czerniak, Colin Nelson and Connor Linke all were starters on that team that have since graduated.

It now falls on Marlowe and Love, in particular, to help usher in the next era.

“Max is one of the hardest workers I know,” Marlowe said. “He’s definitely improved a lot over the offseason; definitely got more confident and worked on his shot...that’s going to be a big piece in our offense this year.”

“Us as a tandem, me playing down low – also outside – but having him in the corner knowing I can kick it out and he’s going to knock down a three, it’s a pretty big role,” Marlowe continued. “Like that Christian Czerniak-type role, he’s going to be doing a little bit of everything: Locking down on ‘D’, being able to score the ball at all three levels...he’s the type of player you want on your team.”

Love has equally high praise for the impact Marlowe is set to have.

“It’s amazing. He’s grown a little bit too, which is scary,” Love said of Marlowe. “His fluidity, he’s able to handle the ball and play defense. He’s been talking a lot more than he did last year I’ve noticed. His jump shot has improved a lot.”

Love and Marlowe are AAU teammates, so their chemistry has been building all summer. Now, they’re ready to show it off.

“We’ve just been training together and adjusting to the game together,” Love said. “And, talking about what we’re going to do to help each other win. It’s amazing to see his improvement. I think he can have a big year. It’s going to be fun to watch as a teammate.”

“I’m glad he’s on my team, let’s just say that,” Love continued.

Burlington Central’s Seyller finding scoring groove

The fourth quarter of Wednesday night’s 58-45 victory over Cary-Grove provided a snapshot of the offensive impact Carson Seyller is capable of this season.

Seyller, a Burlington Central junior, scored nine of his 14 points in the final quarter, which showcased his solid shooting prowess at midrange and beyond the arc.

“Carson is one of the best shooters on our team,” Central teammate Gavin Sarvis said. “This was his first game. We probably all had chills; we were all missing shots, but he probably has the best potential to be a great shooter on our team. And, a great shooter in the [Fox Valley] Conference.”

Seyller will be a key starter alongside Sarvis and Zac Schmidt moving forward. Burlington Central will also be incorporating Steven Langtim and Matthew Lemon off the bench.

“These kids, any avenue they could find, wherever they could get work in...they definitely, I felt like, took advantage of it,” Central coach Brett Porto said of his team. “And really worked hard. So, it’s nice to see these kids finally get an opportunity to get on the court and show what they worked for.”