Former player helping Hawks fly again

Correspondent

Chris Berger knows all about Charlotte Latin’s basketball tradition.

Berger, 42, started his Latin career as a standout shooting guard (1987-89) for legendary coach Jerry Faulker, before playing college basketball at Queens University of Charlotte (1989-93).

Berger returned to his Latin roots in 1994 as an assistant under Faulker. He has been a major part of the Hawks’ basketball program for most of the past two decades, becoming the head coach in 2009.

“I was very fortunate to have played for coach Faulker and be mentored by him all these years,” said Berger, who is also the Dean of Students at Latin’s middle school. “Everything I do today, I learned from coach Faulker. While our ultimate goal is to win games, I also know Latin basketball is about so much more than wins and losses. It’s all about the young men that make up our program.”

When Berger became the head man, he knew it wasn’t going to be easy with state powers like Charlotte Christian, Charlotte Country Day and Providence Day in the conference.

After an up-and-down first three seasons, going 43-36 overall, Berger finally has Latin where he wants them going into CISAA play. The Hawks are 9-2 (through Jan. 3) with an impressive resume of nonconference wins against 4A public schools like Porter Ridge and Providence High and defending private school state champion Ravenscroft.

Berger’s team boasts a veteran starting lineup with three seniors – shooting guard Adam Herrmann (10 ppg), 6-foot-8 forward Jacob Nabatoff (13 ppg, 9 rpg) and Louis Tonon (8 ppg, 7 rpg) – and two juniors in the second year as starters in guard/forward Rusty Reigel (15 ppg, 10 rpg, 4 apg) and point guard Joe Baynard (5 ppg, 5 apg).

Hermann is being recruited by Sewanee and Denison Universities, Nabatoff is committed to Amherst College (Mass.) and Tonon has committed to play tennis at Mount Saint Mary’s (Md.).

Things weren’t always so easy for this group. The same unit won eight games overall and went 0-8 in conference play just two seasons ago.

“We’ve had the same philosophy from day one, and that is to come to work every day and stay humble,” Berger said. “This is a very experienced team now that has taken their lumps. I think they understand what it takes and they are ready to take that next step as a team.”

A key will also be Latin’s depth, which is both young and talented. The regular rotation includes sophomore point guard David Herrmann, Adam’s younger brother, classmates Anthony Bilas (former Duke standout Jay Bilas’ son) and Daniel Jones, and 6-foot-5 freshman Parker Julian.

“The best thing about this team is that I don’t have to be a cheerleader, because the seniors really set the tone for what we expect of all our guys from the start,” Berger said, noting senior John Lamm is also a key leader. “I can just focus on what we need to do to improve.”

Latin headmaster Arch McIntosh believes Berger is also a big key to his team’s success.

“The advantage of having a guy like coach Berger is he understands the culture of Charlotte Latin as player, student and coach,” McIntosh said. “I think his experience and access to players at a young age (as middle school dean) really helps him connect with his players on all levels.”

Latin hopes to challenge perennial conference champion, Charlotte Christian, a team that has won 11 of the past 12 league titles. The Hawks open CISAA play next week, hosting Charlotte Country Day (Jan. 15) and traveling to Providence Day (Jan. 18).

“We have three goals every year and that is to compete for a CISAA and state title, and to keep that Charlotte Latin jersey on our seniors as long as possible,” Berger said. “I think this team has all the ingredients to compete for championships.”

While Berger is proud of his team on the court, he also takes a lot of pride that 13 of the 15 players on the varsity team have gone to the school since kindergarten. The only two players who haven’t are the Herrmann brothers, who moved to Charlotte from Seattle the same season Berger took over.

While Berger’s team looks to etch their name in Latin lore, no one wants to win more their coach.

“When I took the job, my goal was to get people excited about Latin basketball again,” Berger said. “I take a lot of pride in this program, and everything we do, because it has been a part of me for so long.”

• Story went to print before Charlotte Latin games against Charlotte Catholic (Jan. 4) and St. Josephs (S.C.) (Jan. 5).