Boys Basketball notes: A year after helping his team get to state, Ben VanderWal breaks out for Timothy Christian

Timothy Christian’s Ben VanderWal is showcasing his improved all-around game early this season.

After playing a mostly complementary role in the Trojans’ run to the Class 2A state tournament last season, VanderWal is a primary scorer this season. He finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds in a season-opening loss to Neuqua Valley on Saturday.

The 6-foot-7 junior guard/forward exploded for 26 points and 17 rebounds in Tuesday’s win over Bishop McNamara.

“Last year we were a super deep team and we had a lot of guys who could really do stuff,” VanderWal said. “We lost some key guys from last year, but got some guys stepping up, so it’s just fun to have that step-up mentality where I’m an upperclassman. It’s going to be a fun year.

VanderWal said he gained valuable experience becoming a starter late last season, learning the ropes in several high-level playoff games. With his height and shooting ability, VanderWal possesses a high ceiling.

VanderWal said he’s been talking to a few Division I and II schools heading into the critical April live period. He credits his improved early season numbers to his work developing all aspects of his game.

“Last year I was a huge rebounder, but this year I have a role as a scorer,” he said. “Last year most of my scoring came from shooting and cutbacks on offensive rebounding, but this year I’m trying to improve my game by scoring on the floor and getting to the rim and scoring points off the bounce.”

Timothy Christian coach Scott Plaisier said VanderWal and senior guard Joshua Harris, an Illinois College recruit, form a solid one-two punch.

“Both of them are so versatile in the ways they can score,” Plaisier said. “We are leaning heavily on both of those guys, to be leaders for us and to lead us on the offensive end. We’re also asking them to do double duty on the defensive end.

“Sometimes you can hide your scorers and let them take a little break defensively, but we don’t have that opportunity. They both can shoot it, get to the rim and both have a nice post-up game.”

Hopkins 2.0

Fenwick senior Bryce Hopkins’ goal list ran into an unbeatable opponent. The Kentucky recruit is one of the top players in the country, but his final season is reduced to a small sample of games because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a normal season, Hopkins would be vying for a spot to play in the prestigious McDonald’s All-American game and Jordan Brand Classic.

Also, Hopkins would be aiming to end his storied career with a state championship, and earning the Mr. Basketball award, which is given to the best player in the state.

Not this year.

Still, Hopkins, the 2019-2020 Catholic League Player of the Year, said he was ecstatic to have an opportunity to finish his senior season on the court. Hopkins racked up 23 points and 11 rebounds and had the game-winning assist in overtime in a 70-69 win over Mount Carmel in Monday’s season opener. He followed that up with 23 points and 10 rebounds on Wednesday in a 75-35 win over Providence-St. Mel.

“It felt great getting back on the court,” Hopkins said. “The last game we played was almost a year ago, so it felt good to get back out there with my teammates.

“My goals for this season pretty simple, just to go out and have fun because we aren’t going to have a lot of games,” Hopkins said. “I didn’t even think we were even going to have a season, so I’m just going to go out there and give my all to my team and try to put us in the best position to win and just enjoy my last ride.”

At 6-foot-6 and 220-pounds, Hopkins added strength and subtle touches to improve his game to prepare for playing for Kentucky next season. Hopkins, who averaged 24.1 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals last season, worked tirelessly all offseason to be ready for the possible restart of the high school season.

“I’ve improved on my explosiveness, jumpsuit and defense,” Hopkins said. “Those are the three biggest things I’ve been working on in the offseason.”

Wheaton Warrenville South’s busy start to season

Wheaton Warrenville South opened up the season in tournament fashion. Whereas some local teams struggled to schedule games, the Tigers played three games in three days. They defeated a gritty Naperville North, led by forward Grant Johnson, on Friday. The Tigers earned an impressive win over St. Joseph, which featured uber-talented junior center Kyle Thomas, and lost to Benet on Super Bowl Sunday.

The Tigers followed that up by beating a talented Waubonsie Valley team in overtime on Wednesday.

“It was good because I think we were able to work on bunch of things different things, from zone offense, to man offense to seeing kids who can put on the floor, while other groups who shot it well,” Tigers coach Mike said. “We were challenged in all three, but especially in this season, that’s what you want because you are not playing for sectional seeds.”