The Fenwick High School boys basketball team entered the 21st annual Riverside-Brookfield Summer Shootout, June 21-23, without the services of their five football players.
Despite this, the Friars showed well, finishing with a 3-1 record against some of the Chicago area’s top programs.
“I think we did really good,” said Fenwick rising senior guard Ty Macariola. “We have a good group of guys, and I’m excited for the [upcoming] season.”
Fenwick opened pool play with a pair of victories on June 21. In the first game, Macariola poured in 25 points and rising senior Makai Mandley added 15 as the Friars rolled past Kenwood 50-35. Later, rising senior Kamron Hogan scored 13 points, with Macariola and Mandley each adding 11 and rising senior Deonte Meeks 10 in Fenwick’s 57-41 win over Maine South.
“Makai’s been huge,” Macariola said. “Last year, he didn’t play as well, but now he’s picking it up. He’s hitting all his threes and going to be huge for us this season.”
Fenwick split its two games on June 22. In the opener, the Friars fell to Warren, which features one of the state’s top Class of 2027 prospects in Jaxson Davis, 56-46. Macariola had 12 points and Hogan 10 points, four rebounds, and four assists in defeat.
But Fenwick bounced back with a 54-46 victory over Neuqua Valley in its tournament finale. Macariola had 17 of his team-high 19 points in the second half while Hogan, Meeks, and rising senior Dominick Ducree added eight apiece.
“We didn’t show what we wanted to show against Warren,” said Fenwick coach David Fergerson. “But we bounced back.”
“Coach Ferg got on us, talking about how we needed to rebound more and come out stronger,” Macariola said. “We’re better than what we showed against Warren.”
Fergerson praised the play of Meeks, who stands just 5-feet-6 but always shows plenty of grit and determination.
Fenwick’s Dominick Ducree flies past two warren players on his way to the Warren basket on Saturday June 22 2024 at RBHS. | Ian McLeod 
Fenwick’s Makai Mandley heads up court on Saturday June 22 2024 at RBHS vs. Warren at RBHS. | Ian McLeod 
Fenwick’s Kam Hogan muscles his way to the Warren basket during game action at RBHS on Saturday June 22 2024. | Ian McLeod 
Fenwick HS’s Ty Macariola looks for options against two Warren players during action at RBHS on Saturday June 22 2024. | Ian McLeod 
Fenwick and Warren players watch the rebound coming off the Warren basket during game action at RBHS on Saturday June 22 2024. | Ian McLeod
“He plays really hard and changes things,” Fergerson said. “Momentum-wise, pressure-wise, when he’s getting downhill driving and kicking, he does a good job.”
He was also thrilled with what the Friars were able to accomplish at RB despite missing rising seniors Frankie Hosty and Nathaniel Marshall; rising juniors Tommy Thies and Timmy Woods; and rising sophomore Jake Thies, all of whom were attending football camps.
“I would love to be 4-0, but I’m not mad at 3-1,” he said. “We’ve lost just three games the whole summer and we might be surprising some people, but I’m not surprised because my guys play hard and play defense. For what we have, we’re doing a great job.”
Macariola added that the team feels more comfortable and knows what’s expected as Fergerson enters his second season as head coach.
“I’m happy,” he said. “We’re all clicking and know our roles now.”
Fenwick concludes summer play at the Ridgewood Live Event, June 28-30.