With its top two scorers returning, the Buffalo Grove boys basketball team knows there will be times it’s able to put up points in bunches.
Incoming junior point guard Jack Vaselaney (14 points per game in 2015-16) and senior-to-be shooting guard Colin Calcagno (12 ppg) provide the Bison with a formidable one-two backcourt scoring punch.
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“I’ve been working hard this summer, shooting hundreds of shots each time I’m at the gym,” Calcagno said, “doing anything possible to better my game. I really think we can be a factor in the (Mid-Suburban League) East next season and make some noise.”
The difficult part for Calcagno and Vaselaney will be scoring despite now being targeted defensively by opponents.
The Bison are working on addressing that problem.
Vaselaney, who has an explosive first step to the basket, averaged four assists per game last season and has already proven this summer that he’s not a one-dimensional player.
“Some people love scoring, which is great, but I love hearing the oohs and aahs when I make a beautiful pass that leads to a basket,” he said. “Right now I’m just finding my chemistry with Colin, learning where he likes the ball. I sincerely think we’re moving in the right direction as a team.”
Bison coach Keith Peterson thinks his top two scorers now have a target on them.
“Once other teams got to know Jack and Colin had strong scoring ability, they started game-planning to slow them down last season,” Peterson said. “They had to adjust, and still are. They are going to continue to feel the brunt of that. There’s no more sneaking up on teams for them.”
Calcagno, who leads the Bison in scoring this summer with an average of 15 points, and Vaselaney have spent parts of the summer working on becoming more versatile offensively by attacking the basket more.
“I’m also making sure I find ways to create separation so more of my shots are open shots this season,” Vaselaney said. “Even though we have guys who can shoot, we want those shots to be quality ones.”
After going 9-18 last season, Buffalo Grove was 10-5 in summer league play as of Friday, July 1. Are the Bison turning a corner?
“I think we might be,” Peterson said. “The thing I’ve been impressed with most is the effort I’m seeing. Guys are really working hard to take things to another level, to try and get noticed. A lot of players want to step up.”
One of those players emerging as a key third scoring threat is incoming senior forward Kyle Zyck. He made six consecutive 3-pointers during one summer league game, and like Calcagno and Vaselaney, he’s hard at work on his inside game, too.
Zyck had just 26 free throw attempts in 27 games as a junior but is learning to attack the rim more.
“He’s another one of those guys we’re counting on to stretch the defense with his 3-point game, and now hopefully inside in the paint, too,” Peterson said. “That’s really a key for all our guys. We want them to be versatile. Versatile players give me more options as a coach, too.
“If we can all attack the basket to complement our perimeter shooting, it creates so many additional open looks for everyone else. That’s why we’ve been emphasizing aggressiveness all summer.”
Peterson announced he’s making a change next season and will no longer designate team captains. His reason is simple.
“We want to see everyone on our team step up at some point and be a leader,” Peterson said. “Not just one or two guys with a captain label. All of our guys. It gives everyone an equal responsibility, which is what being part of a team is all about.”
Tim Froehlig is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @TFroehlig