Brother Rice’s Charlie Wizgird treats pressure as a challenge he’s meant to unlock.
The senior guard feels it internally without revealing a glint of nervousness.
“I just know as the leader of the team I have to be the one that’s calm and collected,” Wizgird said. “I have to be strong with the ball and know that I handle the ball, the pressure or make shots.”
Wizgird did all of the above Tuesday night, making three late free throws and scoring a career-best 13 points for the host Crusaders in a 55-48 Catholic League Blue win over De La Salle in Chicago.
Senior guard Zach Grabowski and senior forward JJ Manos also scored eight points apiece for Brother Rice (4-1, 1-0). Wizgird added four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Senior forward Remi Edwards posted a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds for De La Salle (2-3, 0-1).
Wizgird, meanwhile, even shifted to point guard in the second half after the Crusaders came unraveled against the Meteors’ full-court pressure.
“Honestly, he’s the toughest kid we have on the roster,” said Rick Romeli, who’s in his first year as Brother Rice’s coach. “He’s not going to wow you with athleticism and quickness.
“We went to him as point guard and he got us into the flow of the offense. He was able to do something the other guys were struggling with.”
Wizgird was named a captain with Grabowski and senior forward Joe Niego, the three players with the most significant experience from last season’s Class 3A state runner-up.
“We did lose a lot of seniors,” Grabowski said. “But you saw with ‘Wiz’ leading the offense, once we clicked, we’re going to be a really good team.
“He’s a team player, he’s tough and he makes big plays like those free throws.”
Wizgird was on the team last season but only played in seven games and averaged 1.2 points.
Perspective, however, is everything.
“Even though I didn’t play as much last season on varsity, I still got some experience on the bench watching those guys,” he said. “I learned a lot from watching Marcos Gonzales and Jack Weigus.
“They helped me see what it takes to be a varsity basketball player and the level you have to be at — the speed you have to play at all times.”
The 6-foot-2 Wizgird combines size and poise with a good feel for the game. Playing off the ball at the beginning, he drilled a 3-pointer to open the first quarter and also helped organize the offense.
He started coming to Brother Rice games on Friday nights in grammar school. The program’s allure, excitement and tradition created a great emotional pull to him.
“My brother’s four years older and he came here,” Wizgird said. “I was just born to be a Crusader. I always wanted to play in a big crowd and I always wanted to play here.”
Fast forward to Tuesday night, and Wizgird is the primary piece of the new-look team.
“I definitely don’t want to waste this opportunity,” he said. “I’m getting heavy minutes now and I don’t ever want to take that for granted. I hold myself to a high standard.
“I’m always trying to do better with each game, either offensively or defensively.”
Wizgird developed an early interest in athletic training and physical therapy with an emphasis on taking care of his body. That showed by the end of another tough Catholic League game.
Traces of blood congealed around his mouth.
“I love stuff like this,” he said. “The scars on my body shows I played hard and I played through the physicality of the other team. I love seeing myself bleeding because I know I’m playing hard.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
