For Andrew coach Dave Wilson, the team’s eight-game winning streak to end the calendar year was a long time coming.
That streak included the Thunderbolts winning the Kankakee Holiday Tournament.
The benefits of the winning streak stretched well beyond the win-loss column, according to Wilson.
“It was nice,” Wilson said. “Some of the guys we’ve had on the varsity two or three years. You want them to buy into the system, but if they don’t see results, they start second-guessing. Same with the lower levels.
“But when you win eight games in a row, they see the results and they start to believe. It builds confidence.”
Andrew (10-5, 2-1 SouthWest Suburban Red) is a team without a superstar. Instead, the Thunderbolts boast a contingent of experienced players who are willing and able to deliver in crucial moments.
Leading the way is 6-foot-3 senior Joey Krutilla, a four-year varsity member who is averaging 12 points. Krutilla’s true impact can’t be measured in statistics, according to Wilson.
“Joey is my right-hand man,” Wilson said. “He knows what we need to do without me having to say anything. He has a high motor and wants to guard the opposing team’s best player. He’s a horse.”
Guards Evan Yerkes (11 points) and Carson Meter (8 points) provide 3-point shooting threats. Center Mike DeHaan (10 points, 7 rebounds), at 6-6, gives the Thunderbolts an inside presence.
“If we can get each of those guys to score 12 to 14 points a game, we’ll be in good shape,” Wilson said.
Besides Krutilla, no one reached those totals Friday against Thornton and the result was a 62-33 loss, which snapped Andrew’s winning streak. Defensively, the Thunderbolts were fine, holding Thornton to 12 points after one quarter and 28 at the half. The problem was on offense. Andrew was 1-for-17 from the field in the first half.
“If we could have hit a few shots early, it could have been different,” Wilson said.
Now the test for the Thunderbolts is to prevent the loss to snowball into a losing streak. Andrew travels Friday to Lincoln-Way West.
“It’s very easy if you haven’t traditionally won to lose focus and confidence,” Wilson said. “We have to do what we do — take charges, make the extra pass, take good shots. I can’t micromanage. I have to let them play with a high level of confidence.”
Streets likes what he sees: While not completely satisfied, Thornton coach Tai Streets likes the way his team is progressing.
“We have to keep competing at a high level,” Streets said. “We have to stay hungry.”
Senior Alonzo Verge and junior Orlando Allen Jr. provide a punishing one-two scoring punch for the Wildcats (10-3, 3-0 SWSC Red).
Verge is confident the best is yet to come from the Wildcats.
“We’re getting better and better,” Verge said. “We have to keep playing hard and staying focused.”
Streets has other pieces beyond Verge and Allen who can contribute.
Namely, guards Joshua Roseborough, a junior, and Christian Simmons, a sophomore.
Roseborough looks to be coming into his own after an inconsistent season a year ago.
“Josh has been really good,” Streets said. “Defensively, he can stick anyone. The sky is the limit.”
Simmons came off the bench Friday and had seven points in a win over Andrew. Streets praised Simmons’ athleticism and aggressiveness.
Simmons didn’t hide how special it is to wear the famed Thornton uniform.
“I love the feeling of the school,” Simmons said. “It’s special to be a part of this program and all of its history.”
High five: Five local players were nominated for the 2017 McDonald’s All American Games: Lemont guard P.J. Pipes, Thornton guard Alonzo Verge and St. Rita guards Temon Green, Paul Kingsley and RaShaad Williams.
Final rosters, which will include 24 players, will be revealed during McDonald’s All American Games selection show on ESPNU on Jan. 15. The game will be played at 6 p.m. on March 29 at the United Center.
Twitter @disabato
Top 10
With records through Tuesday, with last week’s rankings in parentheses.
1. Morgan Park 10-2 (1)
2. Marist 18-0 (2)
3. Homewood-Flossmoor 11-2 (3)
4. Bloom 11-3 (4)
5. Brother Rice 14-3 (5)
6. Thornton 10-3 (6)
7. Marian Catholic 10-5 (7)
8. Hillcrest 11-5 (8)
9. T.F. North 11-3 (9)
10. Stagg 11-5 (10)
Player of the Week: Senior guard Marcus Garrett scored 33 points to lead Hillcrest to a 72-63 win over Arthur Hill (Mich.) and a game-high 24 points during an 82-53 win over Shepard.
