Cameron Gross’ break-out game was a 32-point performance against Niles West at the Pontiac Holiday tournament.
Since that game, the 6-foot-4 senior forward hasn’t stopped scoring for Oak Park-River Forest’s boys basketball team.
Gross had the biggest game of his career in the opener Jan. 29 at Pontiac, which was delayed a day after a power outage struck the gymnasium. OPRF beat Niles West 75-71 in overtime as Gross shot 13-for-15 and had 11 rebounds.
“Coach (Matt Maloney) told me to play loose and play smart with confidence, and shoot the ball,” Gross said. “He knew I could be a pretty good shooter. Before the Niles West game, I was not playing as well as I know I can.”
Gross was an honorable mention all-tournament selection at Pontiac. Once the Huskies returned, he scored 20 points in a 71-56 loss to West Suburban Silver-leading Glenbard West Jan. 8.
“We made some adjustments offensively to feature Cam more and he has taken full advantage of the switch,” Maloney said. “He always had the talent, but he needed to have a greater drive and now he is showing that and the results clearly indicate that shift and growth.”
Gross led OPRF to a 3-1 record at Rockton Hononegah’s Martin Luther King tournament and was named to the all-tournament team.
After losing to Zion-Benton 82-74 in overtime Jan. 16 at Rockton, the Huskies bounced back to finish fifth, wrapping up with wins over West Aurora and Normal West on Monday, Jan. 18.
OPRF (9-9, 2-3) will try to get back in the West Suburban Silver race when it welcomes Downers Grove North (8-8, 1-4) at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, before taking on Uplift in the Whitney Young Shootout at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23.
Twitter @geomwilcox