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Montini transfer Jakaitis gives experienced St. Charles North boost

St. Charles North girls basketball coach Sean Masoncup knows exactly when the first official preseason practice begins.

“November 3rd,” said Masoncup, who wasted little time answering my question.

Not that he is looking forward to it or anything.

After serving as a sophomore boys basketball coach for several years at St. Charles North (he also is the North Stars' boys varsity tennis coach), Masoncup took over as the North Stars' girls varsity basketball coach last season.

Admittedly, he wasn't sure what he was getting into prior to the season.

Wins and losses aside, Masoncup thoroughly enjoyed himself in Year 1.

“I never thought I'd have so much fun,” he said.

Then again, it is always a little bit more fun when your team is winning.

For the first time in 4 seasons, the North Stars finished with a winning record in 2013-2014.

After struggling to a 17-42 mark over the previous 2 seasons, St. Charles North was no longer a pushover a year ago.

In addition to victories over cross-town rival St. Charles East, Streamwood, Naperville Central, Crystal Lake South and South Elgin, the North Stars helped deny Batavia from capturing the outright Upstate Eight Conference River Division title with a 53-49 upset of the Bulldogs last February.

While their postseason ended on a sour note with a 60-38 Class 4A regional semifinal loss to Bartlett, the season as a whole was an undeniable success.

With all 5 starters, led by 17.4-points-per-game leading scorer Nichole Davidson, expected back this season, there's little wonder why Masoncup is counting down the days before the North Stars' Nov. 17 opener at the Pontiac Tournament.

And that was before the coach found out about his newest addition.

Enter 6-foot-2 center Claire Jakaitis, a junior transfer from Montini.

“It's like getting a free agent,” said Masoncup. “It's not every day that you get a 6-2 girl with experience walk through your door.”

At Montini, Jakaitis was a member of the Broncos' Class 3A state championship team last season.

Appearing in 34 games, Jakaitis averaged 5.8 points per contest while shooting 62 percent (78-of-125) from the field.

She scored a team-high 16 points during a 77-43 win over St. Edward in mid-January and led the Broncos with 12 points the very next game against Guerin (69-21 victory).

As a freshman, Jakaitis appeared in 31 games for the eventual 3A third-place finishers, averaging 4.1 points while shooting 55 percent (49-of-90) from the field.

“It's great to have that experience,” said Masoncup. “I definitely think it helps.”

Masoncup, who had Jakaitis in his class as a student at Haines Middle School 3 years ago, knows all about her basketball skills.

“I'm very familiar with her,” said the coach. “I've seen her play at open gym and at some of her AAU games.

“She's a hard worker and a great kid. I'm sure there will be an adjustment period but it's great for this year and for the program.”

That familiarity also figures to come in handy with her new teammates.

“She knows all the girls and they know her,” said Masoncup. “We don't expect her to be the savior. Nichole and Morgan (Rosencrants) will be our leaders. We had a great summer without her (Jakaitis). But she'll give us more depth and it allows us to be bigger.

“It will allow Nichole (Davidson) to play more at the 4 (power forward), 3 (small forward) or even 2 (shooting guard) and Morgan (Rosencrants) to play more on the outside facing the basket.”

Add Ashling Davern, Kyla Helsel, Sam Novak and Sami Sample to the mix, and the North Stars may have what it takes to compete with Geneva, St. Charles East and Batavia for the UEC River title.

“I feel we'll have one of the deeper conferences in the area,” said Masoncup.

Masoncup hopes that the arrival of Jakaitis, a resident of South Elgin, will benefit the North Stars in numerous ways.

“I think our style fits her game,” said the coach. “I think it helps show younger kids that St. Charles North is a good place to come.”

Her presence also may help in the recruiting process.

“I think it helps everybody,” said Masoncup. “We've already had a couple Division 1 coaches here looking at Nichole, Claire and Morgan.”

Midwest champs: Congratulations to the Kane County Cougars, who closed the books on a magical season by capturing the Midwest League Championship last weekend in Eastlake, Ohio.

Led by starting pitchers Daury Torrez, Paul Blackburn, Duane Underwood, Jonathan Martinez, Ben Wells and Chicago Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year Jen-Ho Tseng, the Cougars completed their perfect 7-0 postseason run with a 7-2 title-clinching victory over the Lake County Captains Saturday night.

After winning a franchise-record 91 games during the regular season, the Cougars outscored their playoff opponents by a staggering 37-15 margin.

Midwest League Manager of the Year Mark Johnson's squad finished with a 98-49 record, which included a 58-17 home mark at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark.

Prairie Ridge graduate Michael Heesch pitched 3 scoreless innings of relief in Game 3 of the best-of-5 series with Lake County.

It marked the second championship in franchise history, as the Cougars also captured the Midwest League title in 2001 as a Class A minor league affiliate of the Florida Marlins.

Their 2014 regular-season attendance of 415,571 fans ranked 23rd among Minor League Baseball organizations above nearly every other Class A and AA club.

Here's hoping the parent club can follow the Cougars' lead in the near future.

You can reach Craig Brueske at csb4k@hotmail.com

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