Lincoln-Way Central coach Bob Curran was cautiously optimistic about this season. And any intitial concerns Curran had regarding the Knights have pretty much evaporated.
“I knew we’d be competitive,” said Curran, whose Knights finished 4-23 last season. “I didn’t know if we would come out on top and win games. So, yeah, it’s a little surprising what we’ve done.”
What Curran and Lincoln-Way Central have done (12-4, 3-2) is produce an impressive one-year turnaround. The Knights finished third in the Big Dipper and sit squarely in the upper half of the SouthWest Suburban Red.
Central’s biggest asset is its versatility.
“We have seven guys who can get us double digits on any night,” Curran said. “We’re not counting on one or two guys to get the job done. If two guys are having an off night, we have others who can step up.”
Guards Isaiah Malone and Jarret Gmazel and forwards Isaac Panfil, Mikey Koszela and Mitch Kwasigroch absorbed the losses as juniors last season. However, those experiences helped pave the way for success.
“They were punching bags,” Curran said. “Around Christmas last season, we were beginning to play better and were more competitive. But the experience they received last season certainly put them in position for what they’re achieving this season.”
Curran has been pleased with how each starter accepts his role and hasn’t prioritized individual success ahead of team achievement.
“Malone is a pass-first point guard,” Curran said. “You don’t find that too much anymore. He honestly doesn’t care if he scores. Gmazel gets in streaks where he’s really hot shooting the ball. But when he’s not shooting well, he’s willing to become a distributor and set his teammates up.”
The 6-foot-5 Koszela and 6-4 Panfil have provided muscle in the middle. The 6-5 Kwasigroch has the ability to stretch the defense and provides a perimeter threat.
“Panfil is a late bloomer,” Curran said. “Koszela has a passion for the game and Kwasigroch has been our most consistent player.”
Room for improvement: Lemont coach Rick Runaas didn’t mince words when asked Monday if he’s pleased with his team’s performance after 17 games.
“No,” Runaas said. “We’re not happy at all. Our expectations were much higher. I thought we were making some strides around Christmas. We’re just inconsistent.”
The Indians (11-6) boast one of the area’s top guards in junior P.J. Pipes, whose performance Monday sums up Runaas’s assessment of the season. Pipes was held to two points in the first half against Rich Central before exploding for 24 in the second half of a 66-64 loss.
“We played with a sense of desperation in the fourth quarter and we need to do that for 32 minutes,” Runaas said. “We have to show a willingness to rebound and play defense for an entire game. The potential is there.”
Watch out: Senior guard Jeremiah James has no doubt Rich Central (10-7) will continue to improve.
“We didn’t start the season off very well,” James said. “We had a new coach and new system to learn. We’re going good, but we can even do better. We have the ability to finish the season off strong.”
“We’re growing as a team and we’re gaining confidence,” Rich Central coach Cornelius Crossley said. “We’re trying to build good habits and teach how to make good decisions. I’m proud of these guys.”
On the move: Brandon Johnson has transferred from T.F. South to Gary Bowman, Ind., according to Eagles coach Migel Nunnery.
The 6-foot-7 Johnson, who signed a letter of intent with Western Michigan, averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds for T.F. South. He arrived at Bowman in time for the start of the second semester.
Twitter: @disabato
TOP 10
Results through Tuesday. Won-loss record included, with last week’s ranking in parentheses.
1.Morgan Park 13-1 (1)
2.Thornton 13-1 (2)
3.Homewood-Flossmoor 11-4 (3)
4.Marian Catholic 14-4 (4)
5.Joliet Catholic 14-2 (5)
6.Hillcrest 13-4 (6)
7.Crete-Monee 13-4 (9)
8.De La Salle 12-5 (7)
9.Mount Carmel 13-5 (8)
10.Marist 15-3 (NR)
Player of the Week: Joliet Catholic senior guard Jalen Jackson scored 29 points to lead the Hilltoppers to a 58-48 win over Marian Central.
