Dominick Ducree, Kamren Hogan, Ty Macariola, and Nate Marshall led the Fenwick High School boys basketball program for the past four seasons. While they’ve moved on, they helped establish a culture they hope will help sustain success for the Friars.
At the Riverside-Brookfield Shootout, June 20-21, Fenwick showed it still has the talent to be competitive, going 2-2. Afterward, coach David Fergerson was pleased with the effort.
“Playing some tough teams, we were down a lot of guys,” he said. “The guys showed a lot of fight, and I’m at ease with where we are. Obviously, everyone wants to go 4-0, but I’m looking big picture. Going 2-2 and not having your whole team is pretty solid.”
Rising junior forward Jimmy Watts, one of the few returning players with experience, agreed with Fergerson.
“We played well this weekend,” he said. “We knew we played some good competition and going 2-2 is good.”
Fenwick won its opener of the shootout on Friday against Alton, 45-40. Watts and rising junior TJ Cole each had a team-high 10 points for the Friars.
In the nightcap, Watts scored 20 points and rising sophomore Daelon Wofford added 11, but their efforts weren’t enough as Fenwick lost 50-40 to shootout host Riverside-Brookfield.
Fenwick’s Garrett McNally (14) goes up for a shot against Riverside-Brookfield during the 22nd annual RBHS Summer Shootout Friday, June 20, 2025 in Riverside, IL. (Steve Johnston/Wednesday Journal) 
Fenwick’s coach David Fergerson gives direction during the 22nd annual RBHS Summer Shootout Friday, June 20, 2025 in Riverside, IL. (Steve Johnston/Wednesday Journal) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Colin Cimino (15) puts up a shot attempt against Fenwick’s Jimmy Watts (4) during the 22nd annual RBHS Summer Shootout Friday, June 20, 2025 in Riverside, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Noah Van Tholen (25) works up court against Fenwick during the 22nd annual RBHS Summer Shootout Friday, June 20, 2025 in Riverside, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s coach Mike Reingruber watches the action against Fenwick during the 22nd annual RBHS Summer Shootout Friday, June 20, 2025 in Riverside, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Ben Biskupic (22) defends Fenwick’s Jimmy Watts (4) during the 22nd annual RBHS Summer Shootout Friday, June 20, 2025 in Riverside, IL. (Steve Johnston/Wednesday Journal) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Cameron Mercer (5) works towards the basket against Fenwick’s Kimmy Watts (4) during the 22nd annual RBHS Summer Shootout Friday, June 20, 2025 in Riverside, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark)
On Saturday, Watts nailed a 3-pointer as time expired to give the Friars a 57-54 victory over Stevenson. Watts finished with 13 points, and incoming freshman Corey Griffin added 10.
In the finale, the Friars fell behind Thornwood by 16 points early in the second half but staged a comeback. However, the rally fell short as Fenwick lost 52-46.
Rising junior Luke Vongluekiat scored a game-high 20 points against Thornwood, and Watts lauded his play at R-B.
“Luke played really well,” he said. “He’s going to be a great player for us this year.”
Both Fergerson and Watts realize it’s different not having the stalwarts of the past four seasons around them. But they also feel that while there’s going to be a period of adjustment at the start of the season, the team should be competitive again.
“It’s a lot different, looking at the bench and not seeing Nate, Kam, Ty, or Dom,” Fergerson said. “Now we’ve got to regroup and start all over again, but we’ll be good.”
“It’s weird considering the past three or four years, they’ve been leading our program,” Watts said. “But I think they left the program in a great place for people to step up, and the team knows what needs to be done. People are ready to take bigger roles and fill those shoes.”
Overall, Fenwick believes the summer has gone well, and the Friars are looking to build upon it and be ready for the start of season practice in November.
“The summer was OK,” Fergerson said. “Some of these guys didn’t play varsity basketball [last year] and didn’t know the level is different from sophomore or AAU. Now they’re getting a taste of what varsity basketball is, and we’ll be ready come November.”
“This group hasn’t been playing together for that long,” Watts said, “so building chemistry [is important]. Coach Ferg knows that too, so he’s going to help us do that and I think we’ll be ready for the beginning of the season.”