Wisconsin-Parkside guard Kendale McCullum never thought of himself as a rah-rah type of leader.
Nevertheless, the Larkin graduate is leading by example this season — by hollering or any way he can while being thrust into a leadership role.
“This year coming in I knew that someone would have to take that job, and I think I was ready for it,” McCullum said.
The 6-foot-1 McCullum played point guard last season as a sophomore for the veteran Rangers, who featured the scoring of senior Andy Mazurczak. They came within a game of the NCAA Division II national quarterfinals.
McCullum is back at the point with the most experience within the program as Wisconsin-Parkside (15-1) continues to make a habit of defying the polls.
“Andy was a huge piece for us last year,” McCullum said. “Andy told me since my freshman year here what I had to do and how to do it, how I could be a leader of a young team.
“Now I’m the only junior and the guy who’s been here the longest. My teammates look up to me, with the experience I have. So floor leader has been kind of a natural step.”
McCullum averages 15.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.4 steals for the Rangers, who have won 15 straight after a season-opening loss to Northern Michigan. All three of his averages are up from last year. He also averages 4.3 rebounds, a relatively high total for a point guard.
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“That’s kind of just my instinct, wanting to use my quickness and get the ball and go,” McCullum said. “In high school, coach (Deryn) Carter always said if I can get the rebound then I don’t have to wait for an outlet pass.”
Wisconsin-Parkside’s other top scorers are seniors Alexander Brown and Jake Verhagen, but they transferred in as juniors. McCullum played extensively as a freshman in 2014-15.
“We’ve added new talent but still have experience and that’s why I believe we’re going to make a run at nationals again,” McCullum said.
Wisconsin-Parkside hasn’t been ranked in 2016-17, after being in polls on a regular basis last season. McCullum thinks pollsters haven’t watched closely enough.
Last week, Wisconsin-Parkside went on the road and defeated No. 12 Drury. Another key moment in the year will be Saturday when Wisconsin-Parkside hosts No. 9 Bellarmine (12-2) in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
“Anybody beats anybody in our conference,” McCullum said. “It’s perfect for getting us ready for postseason.”
Earlier this season, McCullum ran across a familiar face.
On Nov. 26, host Wisconsin-Parkside defeated Ferris State 75-65. Former Larkin teammate Quentin Ruff plays for Ferris State, and the win earned McCullum bragging rights after Ruff’s team blew out Wisconsin-Parkside last year.
“It’s always just great to see a former teammate,” McCullum said. “They’ve got a strong team again.”
“It wasn’t one of our better games, I’ll just say that,” Ruff said. “We’re hoping we’ll see them again in the NCAA tournament.”
Men’s basketball: Ruff and Ferris State (13-3) take an eight-game winning streak into Thursday’s game against Saginaw Valley State. Like McCullum, Ruff is his team’s second-leading scorer with a 13.5-point average. He’s shooting 38 percent from the 3-point line (41-for-108). … Elgin grad Arie Williams, a senior at Division II Barry, is hitting 41 percent of his 3-pointers and averaging 12.1 points. Barry, which made the national quarterfinals last year, is 13-1 heading into Wednesday’s game against Tampa.
Football: Junior quarterback Rob Cuda of South Elgin followed up an outstanding sophomore year by being named the University Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Year for Case Western Reserve (9-1). Cuda became the fourth to claim the award in the history of the Division III program. Cuda ran for 908 yards, most ever by a Case Western Reserve quarterback. He also passed for 2,328 yards and 19 touchdowns.
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