De Smet Jesuit Getting Nolan Berry Back After Recovery From Fractured Arms

Thursday Update 8:45 p.m. 

A little more than two months after suffering a pair of broken arms during a practice session, De Smet Jesuit could see the return of senior Nolan Berry to the court as soon as this weekend.

In an email Thursday afternoon, Berry's mother Meg told Patch he was fully cleared to return by a doctor Thursday. This follows a December 20 doctor's visit that showed he was healing faster than expected. At the time, Meg Berry said the doctor wanted to see him back in two weeks for another round of tests. "At that point, if he is at 100% no pain, he should be cleared to begin full practices," she said via email.

Since that time, Berry has been in non-contact drills, and stlhighschoolsports.com's Nate Latsch Tweeted that Berry took in pregame drills with the team during last week's Meramec Holiday Tournament.

Late Thursday, Berry told Patch he's still not 100 percent. "I still get pain with some movement," he said, adding that he's been told by doctors there's "nothing worse I can do to my arms." 

De Smet Jesuit Head Coach Kevin Poelker said now it's just a matter of getting Berry's timing, confidence and conditioning back. The Spartans have gone 8-3 without the Butler University recruit, heading into Saturday's matchup with Belleville East and Illiniois recruit Malcolm Hill, Jr. in the Highland, IL Shootout. The Spartans face crosstown rival Chaminade on the road Tuesday night. Berry won't start Saturday, and will use practices to see how his body feels, while easing back into the rhythm the team has set in his absence.

The Spartans have been led by guard Jimmy Barton and forward Alec Bausch. Barton has averaged 14 points and six assists per game while Bausch has averaged 16.5 per game along with 9 rebounds, according to stlhighschoolsports.com records.