Boys Basketball notes: Matthew Peddy steps into a scoring role to lead St. Charles East

Matthew Peddy knew he had to fill a role for St. Charles East this season.

So far, the Saints senior is perhaps making his best impact offensively.

“This year, I’ve been trying to fulfill a leadership role for the team,” Peddy said. “Obviously, that’s come with me having to score the ball more. I just feel like I’ve been taking advantage of the open shots our team is giving me.”

Peddy, who played virtually the entire season last year on JV, scored 12 of his 24 points in the second quarter of St. Charles East’s 65-60 loss to St. Charles North on Feb. 20. Peddy shot 3 of 4 from the 3-point arc while showing plenty of creativity to find open looks from mid-range.

“The 3-pointer is definitely my most comfortable shot to take, but I’ll have to say my mid-range is [still] probably my go-to shot,” Peddy said. “I just put a lot of work in our offense coming off our angle ball screens. The mid-range is more available than the 3-pointer.”

Peddy’s vigorous offseason provided a window into his offensive breakout.

“My routine was every day I’d lift [and] run,” Peddy said. “When it was nice out, I’d shoot on my driveway and do drills. Other than that, I’d usually go play a few pickup games with the team, trying to get the chemistry down.”

The Saints (1-6, 1-4) are still finding their footing within the DuKane Conference this season. They’re currently trying to weather a three-game losing streak with a road game at Batavia on Feb. 24.

“We’re so close to getting our wins in conference. The pieces, they’re going to fall [into place],” Peddy said.

In addition to Peddy, senior guards Joe Musial and Brice Clayborn and forward Zach Masud likely will play roles in helping turn around the Saints’ fortunes.

“Masud definitely stands out,” Peddy said. “I’ve been playing with him my whole life and I just know what he’s capable of doing. He’s a pretty good ballplayer. As well as Rahul Gor – comes off the bench for us and he’s been hitting shots, as well as Trent Warren.”

Hughes emerging as weapon for St. Charles North

Teammates haven’t been shy in saying Justin Hughes is probably the best shooter on St. Charles North.

“He’s always been a gym rat. He’s always been able to shoot. Now he’s getting his chance,” North Stars junior Jude Love said of Hughes, a 6-foot-3 junior. “He’s really letting it go with confidence and we need that.”

The North Stars believe they have five capable shooters on the court. Whether it’s Ethan Marlowe, Jude Love, Max Love, Jimmy Durocher or Hughes, one or more are good candidates to heat up offensively.

Hughes, in particular, is perhaps building a reputation for his 3-point prowess off the bench. Hughes went 3 for 5 with the deep ball during the North Stars’ 40-39 loss to Geneva last week and 4 for 8 in the 65-60 win over St. Charles East.

“Justin has always been like that [coming off the bench]. He can shoot the heck out of the ball,” Marlowe said after the Geneva loss. “He’s one of the best shooters on the team. Him stepping up in games, having me and Max guarded at all times, that can [allow him] to be able to step up.”

Geneva looking to get others involved beyond Valentine

Geneva may not lose if Nate Valentine keeps making nine 3-pointers in a game like he did against St. Charles North, but the Vikings know they need more from his teammates.

Valentine willed his team to victory with 33 points against St. Charles North, but just three others – Dylan Fuzak, Brian Wrenn and Chris Suger – combined for the other seven points. Valentine was the only Viking to reach the free-throw line in that game.

“I think we’ve got to execute better. I feel like we’re not as crisp, and I think that’s across the board just with what’s going on,” Geneva coach Scott Hennig said after the win over the North Stars. “For how much size we have, we don’t have the [Kross] Garth, the [Josh] Preston, the [Nate] Navigato [or] the Loudon [Love] to throw it into. We’re more perimeter-oriented.

“I’ll take the blame,” Hennig continued. “I guess we’ve got to come up with better schemes. Our strength is our shooting. We’re just not showing it.”