Malnati departure leaves void
Any conversation about the best coaches in the state always includes Fenwick’s Rick Malnati.
There is now an open spot in that top tier after Malnati, 58, announced last week that he’s stepping down.
Malnati’s reputation was earned during a long, successful run at New Trier and polished in the last five seasons at Fenwick. His career record of 355- 144 backs up the talk.
The Friars were 122- 33 under Malnati. They went 30- 5 in 2016- 17 and took second place in Class 3A, the best finish in school history. Malnati’s tenure featured a 38- game winning streak against Catholic League opponents that stretched over three years.
Fenwick assistant Staunton Peck, a New Trier graduate, will take over the program.
‘‘ Five years ago, Staunton Peck and I got a chance to come to Fenwick to coach basketball,’’ Malnati said. ‘‘ I originally told [ Fenwick athletic director] Scott Thies that I would commit to three years and then Staunton would take over. I was having so much fun, I stayed five.’’
Peck played for Malnati at New Trier and went on to play at Hamilton College in New York.
‘‘ I am extremely excited to take on the role of head basketball coach at Fenwick,’’ Peck said. ‘‘ I am grateful for all the mentoring that Rick Malnati has given me as a person and basketball coach throughout the past five years and beyond. He is an incredible coach and an even better person. I hope to carry on the great culture he has established over the past five years.’’
Peck is well- liked and highly thought of around the area, but he will have his hands full living up to Malnati’s success. His first order of business will be holding on to the talent at Fenwick. It’s transfer season, and rumors are swirling around the Friars.
Transfer season
The first major domino fell last week. Marquise Walker, an honorable- mention All- Area guard, has transferred from Curie to West Aurora, a source said.
Walker was happy at Curie, but he has been dealing with family issues for the last year and has found a more stable situation in Aurora.
Walker burst onto the scene with a terrific freshman season at St. Joseph. He transferred to Curie for his junior year and was successful in the Public League. He’s playing with the Mac Irvin Fire club team this spring.
Class of 2018 updates
It was an extremely busy week for many of the top seniors in the city.
Four of Orr’s star players solidified their plans for next season. Chase Adams and Dannie Smith will attend prep school and reclassify to the Class of 2019. Smith recently took an unofficial visit to Loyola.
Raekwon Drake, a three- time All- Area selection, will join 2017 Sun- Times Player of the Year Alonzo Verge at Moberly Area Community College in Missouri, and Ty Mosley decommitted from Milwaukee. He has reclassified and will attend Woodstock Academy in Connecticut.
Lincoln Park’s Terrence Shannon, a breakout star last season, also has reclassified and will head to Woodstock Academy. He recently picked up scholarship offers from Loyola, DePaul and UIC.
Morgan Park’s Cam Burrell committed to Eastern Illinois, and Mustangs guard Kenyon Duling received his release from Tennessee State.