Hinsdale South senior guard D.J. Anderson’s quickness gives him an edge against almost any opponent on the basketball court. On numerous occasions against West Suburban Gold foe Willowbrook on Friday, Anderson showcased his ballhandling talents in leading the Hornets to a 69-57 victory.
Anderson scored 10 of his game-high 22 points in the third quarter, including a basket where he drove past most of the Willowbrook defense to put Hinsdale South up 50-37.
Whenever Willowbrook applied pressure late, getting the ball in Anderson’s hands was usually the Hornets’ answer.
“He took our press break and scored four or five times right out of it,” Hinsdale South coach Brett Moore said. “He is quicker than just about anyone you are going to see in basketball. I thought he (also) did a good job of slowing down when he needed to. You name it, he was doing it tonight.”
Anderson’s speed and ballhandling ability are characteristic of a point guard, but he is also comfortable without the ball in his hands.
“He does not really have a position.” Moore said. “He will play point guard sometimes and off guard others. He is just kind of a one-man transition at times.”
Anderson said playing defense on the Hornets football team has helped him when he drives to the basket.
“Coming from football, being explosive, that helped a lot,” Anderson said. “I just feel like I can get to the lane and drive and finish.”
The Hornets (5-3, 2-0) graduated four multiple-year starters from last year’s team, when Anderson was the only junior to start. Anderson is growing into the role of a leader.
“He is getting better and better every day in practice at that (leading),” Moore said. “That is something he realized that this team needed. There is no Barret Benson or Sean McCormack to be the leader; now it is D.J. Anderson. He is the returning guy with the most minutes. He is not a kid that is worried about scoring points. He wants to win.”
If teams are able to take away Anderson, he knows that backcourt teammate Nick Perry is also capable of attacking opposing defenses.
“Nick is another great guard that can get to the rim and finish,” Anderson said. “He can knock down his free throws. I know I can pass it to him, and he can get to the basket and finish.”
Perry and junior Zion Griffin (13 rebounds) both finished with 14 points against Willowbrook (7-1, 3-1), which suffered its first loss of the season. Karol Lipiszko knocked down two 3-pointers and had 10 points for the Hornets.
After opening with seven games away from home, Anderson was optimistic about his team’s potential after a conference victory in front of the Darien crowd.
“It was a good home-court advantage, our fans were amazing,” Anderson said. “They were 7-0, but that does not mean anything. Anyone can beat anyone. We want to win conference this year, so to beat them, it means a lot.”
Patrick Kelly is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
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