LA GRANGE – Dallis Flowers, the leading scorer for Oak Park-River Forest’s boys basketball team, has added another duty during the second half of the Huskies’ season.
The point guard many times is the only senior leader on the floor for OPRF, which is taking a look at younger players after the Huskies dropped out of contention in the West Suburban Silver.
OPRF upset conference-leading Lyons 52-43 on the road Friday night behind Flowers’ game-high 24 points and three 3-pointers.
Lyons scored the game’s first seven points, but the Huskies outscored host Lyons 20-10 in the second quarter. Flowers scored 11 points in the first half to carry OPRF (11-9, 4-5) to a 22-17 lead at the break.
Flowers is the only senior starter in coach Matt Maloney’s lineup and is becoming a mentor to players such as sophomore forward Cameron Gross.
Gross was OPRF’s second leading scorer with nine points and hit a second-quarter 3-pointer to give the Huskies their first lead at 8-7.
“Dallis helps us by telling us what to do,” Gross said. “He says something like, ‘Get around the basket and finish. Be smart and make smart decisions.’ “
Gross also had four rebounds and his layup in the third quarter was part of the Huskies’ seven-point run to take a 32-20 lead.
“I can help after playing on the varsity for three years,” Flowers said. “It’s great to see the freshmen and the sophomores, so I can keep them on the ropes. I like the role. If I’m the top player on the team; I have to be a senior with a lot of responsibility.”
“Tonight, [Flowers] was absolutely our [floor leader],” Maloney said. “He was tremendous denying the ball. Besides Elliot Greffin, Dallis is our only senior out there.”
While Flowers was shy when he was on the football team, he has learned to become more vocal due to his experience.
“I like the fact that for me, if [Flowers] doesn’t make the right decision, he’ll own it,” Maloney said. “If one of our guys lets down, he will lift them up.”
Flowers also made 7 of 10 free throws for the Huskies, who shot 17-for-20 as a team. He finished 7-for-12 from the field..
Jared Scott, a 6-4 sophomore recently was called up from the sophomore team, scored a pair of baskets in the first half while grabbing two rebounds. He snapped the Huskies’ 0-for-8 drought to begin the game with a tip-in at the first-quarter horn.
Maloney also started 6-3 freshman Alan Griffin.
Lyons was led by 12 points each from brothers Harrison and Connor Niego.
The Huskies have beaten the top two teams in the conference on the road. Lyons’ loss could have been costly, but the Lions (17-5, 7-2) remained a game ahead of Hinsdale Central (17-5, 6-3) in the standings after the Red Devils on Friday lost their third consecutive conference game since star center Matt Rafferty broke his right hand Jan. 23.
Hinsdale Central plays at Lyons on Feb. 13.
More Top Picks Best Portable Ice Makers
@geomwilcox