Senior forward Micah Giovenco has been working hard with new Elgin coach Brett Johnson ever since Johnson took on the job of trying to turn around his alma mater.
A main point of emphasis was improving Giovenco’s ability to finish around the rim.
Lo and behold, with 44 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter Friday night, Giovenco received the perfect opportunity to put all of those lessons learned to good use.
“I couldn’t find anyone open,” Giovenco said. “I had to do something. I knew we were down one. I had to go get some. He was giving me the paint, so I went straight through.”
The host Maroons trailed all game until Giovenco drove to the basket and finished off a layup, cinching a 45-42 Upstate Eight Conference win over Streamwood.
“It was one heck of a night,” Giovenco said. “I’m proud of our team. We fought real hard.”
Johnson lauded Giovenco’s effort after the win.
“I’m so proud of Micah,” Johnson said. “For the skills he started with and how much he’s improved, he is the glue that holds us together on both ends.
“He is constantly trying to go get the ball. He has no quit in him, and it shows.”
The Maroons (3-4, 1-2) was down throughout, but Streamwood (0-8, 0-3) still only held a 42-38 lead in the final minutes.
Maddox Hollian hit a 3-pointer with 1:32 left to bring Elgin within 42-41. Then Giovenco put the Maroons ahead with his only basket of the fourth quarter.
Hollian, who ended up with 14 points, sealed the win on a layup with 26 seconds left.
Streamwood coach Quentin Ruff, who was an assistant at Elgin the past two seasons, knows all about Giovenco.
“Micah is a great kid,” Ruff said. “He went down and made a great play. He’s a big body. He’s not the greatest finisher, so he actually surprised me with the way he finished that basket.”
Johnson is starting to see performances like this from Giovenco on a regular basis. He led all scorers with 17 points.
“For him to have another game in a row where he’s been productive, I’m excited for him,” Johnson said.
Johnson is also hoping to bring the Maroons back to prominence. They won only one conference game each of the past two seasons and are coming off a 4-23 record.
That’s what was waiting for him when he took the job.
“They want to change what has been here before,” Johnson said. “The effort is there. The intensity and desire are there. They’re starting to get it. Wins will follow.”
Johnson put the onus on the players to initiate changing the culture, which Giovenco embraces.
“All these guys want it,” Giovenco said. “I know we all want it. We played like we wanted it and we showed it. I’m proud of our team.”
Terrell Young and Joshua Wilder each scored nine points to lead Streamwood.
“The big thing I told them in there is we haven’t gotten a chance to be in this position,” Ruff said. “The great thing about this is you just learn from it.
“We have to make sure we don’t make the same mistakes.”
Johnson arrived from South Elgin, making an immediate impression on the team. The results are starting to show.
“He’s a great guy — love him,” Giovenco said. “The coaches want it just as badly as us. You love to see that from a coach.”
The roots of that desire to win for Johnson started in Chesbrough Field House.
“It’s surreal to be here 20 years after I graduated coaching in this gym,” Johnson said. “It’s really exciting to be here, try to change the culture and get basketball back to where it can be.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
