Metea Valley’s Nick Schroeder (3) drives into the lane against West Aurora’s Evan Hackney (23) as teammate Jahki Gray (1) looks on during a game in the Aurora vs. Cancer Day of Hoops at Aurora Christian on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2023. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
The ball was in Nick Schroeder’s court.
It stands to reason the Metea Valley junior would try tennis, but he has found his niche in basketball.
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The 6-foot-4 Schroeder is an athletic guard who poses matchup problems for many of the surging Mustangs’ opponents.
His initial athletic success, however, came in hitting a ball over a net rather than shooting it through one.
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“I was kind of born into tennis,” Schroeder said. “My mom (Svetlana), who is from Serbia and had offers from all over the country, played Division I tennis at Northern Illinois and my dad (Jeff) grew up playing tennis.”
Metea Valley’s James Parker, left, and Nick Schroeder (3) contest a shot from West Aurora’s Josh Pickett (4) during a game in the Aurora vs. Cancer Day of Hoops at Aurora Christian on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2023. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
Nick was nationally ranked in junior tennis but settled on basketball in eighth grade.
It was a good thing Saturday as Schroeder scored seven of his 12 points in the first quarter of Metea’s 57-44 win over West Aurora during a game in the Aurora vs. Cancer Day of Hoops at Aurora Christian.
The Mustangs led 31-27 at halftime and then blew the game open with a 14-2 run featuring a pair of 3-pointers each from senior guard Jahki Gray and forward Will Ashford to start the third quarter.
“We knew they were going to be aggressive guarding our ball screen actions,” Metea coach Isaiah Davis said. “We had to look for some slip opportunities, different actions we could run out of that.
“Will knocked down a couple threes and so did Jahki, who had gone 8-for-8 for threes the night before against DeKalb, following it up with another good performance.”
West Aurora’s Jordan Brooks (11) passes between Metea Valley’s Jahki Gray (1) and Quentin Schaffer (5) during a game in the Aurora vs. Cancer Day of Hoops at Aurora Christian on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2023. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
The Blackhawks (14-10), led by Terrence Smith’s game-high 19 points, cut the deficit to nine midway through the fourth quarter but could get no closer.
“We knew they were a good team and we couldn’t underestimate them,” Schroeder said. “West Aurora is a big win. It’s a good program.”
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Gray finished with 17 points in leading Metea (17-6) to its 12th win in the last 13 games.
It was one of eight games — four boys, four girls — in the event’s lineup at Aurora Christian in the Aurora vs. Cancer Day of Hoops.
Metea Valley coach Isaiah Davis raises a question to an official for an explanation during a game in the Aurora vs. Cancer Day of Hoops at Aurora Christian on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2023. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
“I just jumped at hosting it because it was a great opportunity to have all the high school teams come together,” said Dan Beebe, who is Aurora Christian’s athletic director and boys basketball coach.
In the boys games, Aurora Central Catholic defeated IMSA 58-41, Marmion topped the host Eagles 55-33 and Waubonsie Valley downed East Aurora 77-48.
In girls games, West Aurora beat Metea Valley 53-41, Waubonsie Valley edged East Aurora 61-57, ACC beat IMSA 62-8 and Timothy Christian defeated Rosary 42-30. Aurora Christian currently doesn’t have a girls varsity team.
Meanwhile, the outburst in the first half included a pair of 3-pointers from Schroeder, who started on varsity much of last season.
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“I was more of a set shooter last season — catch and shoot,” said Schroeder, who was also slowed much of that season by an ankle injury. “I’ve been healthy this year and shooting the ball well.
“They’ve allowed me to work off the dribble more and use my pullup game.”
Metea Valley’s Nick Schroeder (3) drives to the basket after making a steal against West Aurora during a game in the Aurora vs. Cancer Day of Hoops at Aurora Christian on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2023. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
In the fall, Schroeder also earned all-conference honors as Metea Valley’s golf team qualified for the sectional.
His interest in basketball grew when he began playing travel with Paradise Basketball. That program is run by former Naperville Central and Northern standout Ryan Paradise, who coached at Marmion.
“I picked that up and played basketball more during COVID,” Schroeder said. “I never took it serious and wasn’t really that good until then.
“I kind of had a breakout summer before COVID, when my shot started falling. I gained confidence and started going.”
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Davis also looks for Schroeder and the Mustangs to keep it going.
“He’s a great athlete,” Davis said. “He’s just a strong shooter and a really good defender for us. It makes us a tough guard for people because he’s one of several kids with size for us who are versatile.
“The DVC race is tight but we’re right in it. I think our conference is a whole lot better than people realize.”