Lincoln-Way West’s Drake Been has been on the kind of shooting streak that might make Stephen Curry jealous.
In a two-game stretch last week, Been hit a combined 16 3-pointers. The senior guard tied a program record with nine in a Jan. 13 win over Stagg.
Needless to say, Been is feeling comfortable any time he gets the ball in his hands.
“It’s been going in a lot lately,” Been said. “It feels great. My teammates are finding me open, so that makes it so much easier. When I’m open, I’m ready to shoot it and I know I can make it.”
Been had a bit of a quiet night by his recent standards Wednesday, but he still made three 3-pointers and finished with 12 points to help the host Warriors pick up a 70-60 nonconference win over Bremen in New Lenox.
Luke Gouty led Lincoln-Way West (12-10) with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Eiden Kubilius also scored 16 points, while Ryan Hegji contributed 14 points.
Kishawn Gantt poured in 22 points for Bremen (9-12). Josh Johnson finished with 11 points and five rebounds, while Jalen Clardy added 10 points.
Not to be denied, Been came out of the gates on fire, knocking down three 3-pointers in the first quarter. And Lincoln-Way West coach Tanner Mitchell has gotten used to seeing that.
“Drake has been on an absolute heater the last two or three weeks,” Mitchell said. “He’s really shooting the ball well. He’s shooting with confidence.
“He’s been on one of those stretches where it’s like he’s throwing the ball in the ocean.”
Been credits his family — and boredom — with turning him into a great shooter.
“My cousins always made me shoot the ball,” he said. “We played together all the time and they pushed me to get better.
“I’m always getting shots up in the summer, too. I don’t have much else to do.”
On his record night, which came in a 71-51 win over Stagg, Been was tipped off that he was nearing history.
“Someone mentioned it during a timeout when I was at eight,” Been said. “After that, I missed two in a row but then I made one from the corner and they all just went crazy.
“Tyler Gabriel, who had the record, texted me and said, ‘Congrats.’ Knowing my name will be up there with his feels good.”
On Wednesday, Bremen put its defensive attention squarely on Been after his fast start. That helped lead to a big night for Gouty, who is having a blast playing alongside Been.
“It’s always great when you pass it out and he makes it every time,” Gouty said. “It’s a lot of fun having him on your team. His work ethic has really made him quite good.
“He’s practicing all the time and he’s gotten better every year.”
Been knows he will likely see more opponents making game plans around him. He feels ready to adjust.
“I don’t like it, but it opens things up for my teammates,” Been said. “My teammates can all shoot the ball, so eventually they’re going to have to sag off me and I’ll find my openings.”
Behind Been’s early 3-pointers, Lincoln-Way West raced to a 27-16 lead in the first quarter and never trailed.
Bremen fought tough, though, and was down just 49-46 late in the third quarter before the Warriors went on an 8-0 run to take control.
“They kept coming back and coach told us we needed to put them away,” Gouty said. “We hung in there, held our ground and finished it off.”
Been, meanwhile, is also a golfer for Lincoln-Way West. He takes contrasting mindsets into the two sports.
“I’m honestly two different people when I play golf and basketball,” Been said. “When I golf, I’m more relaxed and I don’t really have emotions.
“In basketball, I’m very emotional. I really want to win.”
