Chris Karkazis will always love basketball.
He may not adore Waubonsie Valley’s 8-14 record, but it’s not stopping him from having a blast his senior season.
“Whether we go 0-25 or 25-0, I’m still going to come to practice with heart and energy because I truly love basketball,” he said. “If I don’t end up at the D-2 or D-3 level, I’m going to really miss this game. I guess I’ll play intramurals if I don’t play in college.”
For now, Karkazis is focusing on life as a Warrior and the clock is ticking. Waubonsie Valley only has three regular-season games remaining.
The Warriors have won two straight and will face Glenbard East on Friday. Karkazis poured in 27 points to help beat East Aurora last Saturday.
“We’re starting to figure out how to win games and a lot of the guys are coming up big for us,” he said. “It’s been challenging, but it’s also been a lot of fun.”
A season ago, Karkazis played a significant role on a senior-laden squad, but he was able to turn to teammates, including older brother Nick Karkazis, for leadership and guidance.
This season, he’s become one of the leaders along with Logan Yanisch, and the Warriors are playing several sophomores and juniors that weren’t on the team last year.
“I listened to my brother and Matt Gialamas and some of the other guys so I knew I had to be the vocal one this year and would have guys looking up to me,” he said. “I’d say that’s the biggest thing that’s changed.”
It helps that Karakazis relishes the new situation.
“It’s obviously a bigger role to handle, but it’s also a lot more fun,” he said. “No question we’ve had our ups and downs this year, but I’ve truly had a lot of fun and it makes me want to play at the next level.”
Karkazis doesn’t have any college plans set yet, but is mulling over his options.
The leadership role is just a part of his growth. He was asked to transition to point guard and usually guards the opponent’s best player. Obviously, he doesn’t leave the floor very often.
“I think he’s having a very good senior year,” Warriors coach Chaz Taft said. “Maybe not in the win-loss column, but I think he’s understanding more about how you run a team and how your leadership rubs off on everybody.
“He’s moved from wing to point guard this year so that’s a whole different aspect since he’s got to distribute the ball and break pressure. Plus, he’s guarding the other team’s best player and he’s accepted that challenge.”
He loves the challenge as much as he loves the game.
“Before the season we sat down and coach had 15 note cards with three bullet points on each one that told everyone their role,” Karkazis said. “Mine said I need to be the best ballhandler, make open shots and play great help-side defense, and I needed to perfect those three parts. If we all do that, it meshes into a great thing.”
The Warriors haven’t fully meshed yet, but have a few more weeks before the playoffs arrive.
More Top Picks Best Wavetable Synthesizers
“Whether or not we lose in the first round I’m going to be thankful for the time I’ve spent with (coach Chaz) Taft and with coach (Isaiah) Davis, who has taught me a lot in four years, and the rest of the coaching staff,” Karkazis said. “They’ve been a huge part in my life. They’ve really helped me and it’s beyond basketball.”
Chris R. Walker is a freelance writer.