Bryce Welch drives, and Naperville North thrives when he’s ‘making the best decision every time’

Naperville North guard Bryce Welch is at his best when his fast-twitch muscles are twitching.

That’s when opposing defenses get nervous — and with good reason.

“Bryce has an ability to get into the paint and create help, and from there he can score,” Naperville North coach Gene Nolan said. “But even if he doesn’t score because of the help, he might be able to create scoring opportunities for others.

“He’s a really good passer, as well. I thought that helped tonight.”

Indeed, Welch’s will-he-shoot-or-will-he-pass routine worked wonders for the Huskies against Waubonsie Valley on Wednesday, especially in the third quarter. That’s when the 6-foot-1 junior recorded eight of his 10 points and both of his assists, which gave Naperville North some breathing room in an eventual 45-39 DuPage Valley Conference victory in Aurora.

“At the start of the third quarter, I didn’t think we were defending with the same intensity that I felt like we were in the first half,” Nolan said. “We did get ourselves out of that, but I thought during that stretch, Bryce hit what became even more important field goals for us.

“We sort of treaded water at the start of the third quarter because of some of those baskets he got.”

The Huskies (11-8, 3-2) led 19-16 after a defensive-minded first half. Welch began the second half by scoring on a drive down the lane. That was the first of his four baskets in the third quarter, all of which came on variations of explosive bursts that split the tough defense of the Warriors (8-8, 1-3).

“I went in at halftime, and I kind of had to think about what the first quarter looked like,” Welch said. “We were playing well on defense, so we needed to keep that up.

“The shots weren’t falling, so the message was just keep our heads up, keep doing what we’re doing on defense, and the shots would fall.”

Welch also set up junior guard Luke Williams for a pair of 3-pointers, one from either wing, as the Huskies extended their lead to 37-25 early in the fourth quarter.

“In the second half, I was able to make some adjustments,” Welch said. “I was picking when to attack, and I was able to find my teammates for dump-offs and layups. It worked out just making the best decision every time.”

Welch’s performance is the result of being a year older, being a couple of inches taller and a decision he made after his sophomore season to start working with Lamont White, a Lisle-based speed and agility trainer.

The sessions over the summer helped Welch with his burst, which allows him to blow by defenders and create havoc.

“They’re not super long, but they (involve) a lot of explosiveness, like getting off the ground quick, changing direction and a lot of sand work,” Welch said. “I think it’s translating well, and it helps me create for my teammates.”

Welch’s teammates agree.

“I’m super impressed with how he can get to the basket,” Williams said. “Obviously, Bryce got taller, too, so that has enhanced his ability to finish around the rim.

“But his first step is super quick, like I am, so that helps him getting to the rim and getting to the rack.”

It also helps Williams, who scored a game-high 19 points against the Warriors, and senior forward Jacob Nolen, who added 10 points, five rebounds and three steals.

“When they close out on me, Bryce can get to the lane to get a reverse, get a nice little layup,” Williams said. “And he can get somebody else the ball.”

Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.