Oak Lawn’s Jack Dempsey continues to perfect his craft as he builds toward the future.
The senior guard, a three-year starter, loves to develop and sharpen all the parts of his game. It makes perfect sense when you take into consideration what he wants to study in college.
“I’m going into engineering, and one of the cool things about me is that I love to build things,” Dempsey said. “Sometimes, when you build things, you fail at first.
“You have to find a way to solve those or have a solution in your mind.”
With rival Evergreen Park standing in his path, he designed the perfect answer.
The 6-foot-3 Dempsey scored 16 points and added six rebounds and four assists Friday night for host Oak Lawn in a 61-46 South Suburban Red victory over the Mustangs.
Senior forward Marc Harvey matched Dempsey by scoring 16 points to go with eight rebounds for the Spartans (15-6, 6-2), while senior forward Omar Saleh contributed 13 points.
Senior guard Lenear Bolden scored a game-high 19 points for Evergreen Park (7-11, 3-5). Junior guard James Lee chipped in with eight points.
Dempsey made two 3-pointers in scoring 10 points as Oak Lawn jumped to a 22-4 lead by the end of the first quarter. Harvey came through with seven points in the first eight minutes.
“Jack hitting those early shots were really big for us,” Harvey said. “He gave us that energy to keep going. Everything about Jack has improved since we’ve been playing together.
“He’s gotten more athletic and faster and his shot is even better. He’s improved all around.”
Saleh credited Dempsey’s mental acuity and ability to anticipate and read the game.
“He always has the right attitude, the right manners,” Saleh said. “He’s an exceptional student who always has a smile on his face. He scores at a very high level, is very consistent, very confident.
“He takes all of that energy and gives it back to us.”
A skilled, left-handed shooter, Dempsey knows how to get to the right spots on the floor. With a mathematical mind that seeks to optimize the attack, he used his hot early shooting Friday.
It created a wave for the Spartans to ride.
“I think the way I started, it just opens doors for other ways to score,” Dempsey said. “Once I hit one or two threes, I know they’re going to start pressing up on me.
“That let’s make drive to the basket or find open teammates.”
Dempsey, a standout pitcher and outfielder in baseball, is part of a family dynasty. His mother, Erin, holds the girls’ school record for rebounds in a game with 26 and career with 948. His father, George, was also an excellent athlete for the Spartans.
This season, Jack has taken on a greater offensive burden with the graduation of Donte Montgomery.
“Last year, I could lay back and have them do the dirty work,” Dempsey said. “Now being a senior, being expected to be the guy, you have to set the tone for everyone else on the team.”
Along the way, Dempsey has increased his offensive output without suffering a drop in efficiency or effectiveness. He got slimmer and more athletic working on his body in the offseason.
He flashed improved athleticism Friday, especially as a defensive rebounder.
“Everyone knows me for my shooting, but I feel like one of the most underrated aspects of my game is my passing,” Dempsey said. “I love getting other guys open and drawing in defenders.”
He plays a part in the show, but nobody likes to be typecast.
“We all live for these moments where everybody is just cheering you on and going at each other,” Dempsey said. “Playing with my friends and for my coaches is what I love best.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
