Marist’s Justin Lang made the necessary adjustment to his game.
The 6-foot-2 senior forward figured out that his contributions to playing winning basketball expanded exponentially with an extra commitment to both sides of the floor.
But especially to one in particular.
“My defense helps me stay on the court,” he said. “I am always doing whatever I can to help my teammates. My role is to talk on defense, bring energy and get our shooters open.”
Showing a perfect blend of guile and anticipation Friday, Lang opened up the Redhawks’ full repertoire of options with a heady and disruptive style.
He scored 11 points for Marist in a 61-50 victory over Richards in the championship game of the District 218 Thanksgiving Tipoff Classic.
Lang added five rebounds, three assists and four steals as Marist (4-0) scored the opening nine points of the first quarter and never trailed.
The beginning of any season is the ultimate blank slate, with graduation changes and the evolution of player roles. Lang saw his chance for a more prominent place in the lineup.
“Last season, I would mostly come off the bench,” Lang said. “We had some seniors who graduated, so I had to step up my role. I just feel more comfortable out there.
“I also trust my teammates. If I have an open shot and I know they have a better one, I will just get them the ball and they will hit it.”
Senior Donnie Burton was also adjusting on the move for Richards (3-1).
The three-sport athlete helped the Bulldogs qualify for the Class 6A state playoffs in football as a standout running back.
He’s playing basketball for the first time since his freshman year. A guard, he tallied nine points, five rebounds and three steals Friday for the Bulldogs.
“Everything is faster paced and there is a lot more running than football,” Burton said. “It takes a lot more conditioning and sudden movement.”
Senior guard Eddie Hrebic scored 10 points to lead the Bulldogs. Junior forward Camren King contributed six points and five rebounds
The 6-1 Burton has the size to play either guard spot. A pitcher in baseball, Burton offers versatility and athleticism and brings a physical presence to the basketball program.
“Defense and playmaking are my best qualities,” Burton said. “It feels great to play basketball again. The guys and the chemistry we have, that is what brought me back to the game.
“We have a lot of guys who like playing together. They’re like brothers to me. We are going to go a long way.”
Marist, however, led by as many as 22 points Friday. Senior guard Kaden White scored a game-high 13 points. He added six rebounds and three steals.
He exhibited a slithering, fluid approach on offense that provided a change of pace and threw the Bulldogs’ defenders off rhythm.
“This is now my second year as a starter, and the most important thing for me is just playing under control,” White said. “You learn it’s not always about going full speed.”
Ten players scored for the Redhawks.
If the maturation of Lang and White marked one significant part of the early development of the team, the raw youth and potential was also in full view.
Stephen Brown, a 6-7 freshman center, scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds off the bench. Sophomore guard Keshaun Vaval, a transfer from Romeoville, has fit in well.
“At the beginning of last summer, we had two freshmen, we had a transfer and I didn’t know how we were going to play,” Lang said. “I didn’t know their playing styles.
“We have been working hard every single day, and we just mesh together.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
