There was no time to hesitate.
Sophomore Cam Dougherty’s game-winning 3-pointer for Naperville Central on Jan. 26 against Neuqua Valley signified two things.
It gave Naperville Central coach Pete Kramer his 250th career win. And it showed Dougherty’s importance for the Redhawks (18-7, 9-4) was rising fast.
“From where we started this year to where (Dougherty) is now, it’s a credit to these seniors for bringing him along and accepting him,” Kramer said. “Letting him make mistakes and staying positive with him and everything else.”
Twice since Jan. 19, Dougherty has established new career highs. He had a 21-point effort against Neuqua and followed that up with 17 points against Wheaton North.
The 6-foot-6 guard/forward is fourth on Naperville Central in scoring, averaging only 6.5 points. But his confidence is increasing with every game and he’s adapting to the fast pace.
“Offensively, it really (has slowed down),” Dougherty said. “My shot has adjusted to the speed of the game a lot more. I feel like I get to the rim a lot easier. Still have to get to the free-throw line more. But I feel like I’m getting all my offensive game together.”
Tyler O’Brien averages 11.9 points and Ben Wolf is at 11.5, the only two scorers in doubles figures for the Redhawks. Both are seniors, so any help from their younger teammates is more than welcomed.
“He’s learning as he goes,” O’Brien said of Dougherty. “He just picks up things throughout the season and just uses it to his advantage in practice. It shows in the games.”
Mustangs showing resolve: The calendar says February, but that doesn’t mean the lessons stop. And Metea Valley coach Matt Walpole likes the way his team battles.
A two-point loss Tuesday at Waubonsie Valley gives the Mustangs (11-11, 6-7) another opportunity to respond. Home wins over Naperville Central and Wheaton North last week followed road losses at Neuqua Valley and Naperville North.
“This is a resilient team, and I walked in the locker room and I drew a heart on the board,” Walpole said after the loss to the Huskies on Jan. 26. “I love the heart of our guys and that’s going to help them down the road. I truly believe that.”
Junior Ethan Helwig combined for 47 points in the two victories last week, while senior Holden Rank added 22 in the double-overtime win over the Falcons. Helwig is averaging a team-best 17 points.
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“Teams are always out for (Helwig) and he always finds a way to score and make things happen,” Rank said. “So it’s awesome to play with him.”
Surging Redwings: It’s amazing what time can do. Benet has yet to lose in 2018, finally getting back to full strength after the football team’s run to the Class 7A state semifinals in November.
A nine-game winning streak has put the Redwings (18-4) right in the thick of the East Suburban Catholic race. They’re tied for second with Marist. St. Viator leads the conference with a 6-0 record, while Benet and Marist are 5-1.
Redwings coach Gene Heidkamp confirmed there’s still work to be done before the playoffs.
“We know we don’t have a large window for error, so we have to play well,” he said. “It’s not always pretty, but we’re able to find a way to put the defensive end together along with being more efficient offensively. It’s worked out pretty well for us.”
Blake Baumgartner is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.