After each win by the host Royals in the Class 4A Larkin Regional, coach Deryn Carter pointed out how far junior center Jalen Shaw has come this season.
In Friday’s championship game, it became clear an entire young team made the journey with Shaw.
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After losing Loyola recruit Christian Negron to a preseason knee injury, Larkin progressed enough to beat Bartlett 71-51 for the regional title behind 22 points each from Shaw and junior guard Anthony Lynch.
“We knew we had the potential,” Carter said. “The thing with losing Christian was Christian was going to allow guys to grow up while we won. He was going to allow juniors to grow into their role.
“And, instead, we had to grow them into roles. We took some lumps on the way.”
In the regional final, fifth-seeded Larkin (18-14) delivered the lumps.
The 6-foot-10 Shaw had 14 rebounds and Lynch added 10 to lead Larkin to a 41-19 domination of sixth-seeded Bartlett (18-12) on the boards.
“I’m so excited I can barely speak,” Shaw said. “We practiced all year for this so hard and had determination. It just shows you can do whatever you want if you put your mind to it.”
Shaw shot 8-for-12 and Lynch finished 10-for-13 to help Larkin advance to a 7 p.m. Tuesday semifinal in the Elgin Sectional against Rockford Boylan.
“This shows our young team is accepting coaching and they’re getting better at the things we’re working on,” Carter said.
Without a senior starter, Larkin had enough composure to maintain a lead established by the first of two 13-0 runs. Larkin went ahead 21-9 early in the second quarter and never led by less than seven again.
“I think we were excited to be in a championship game and it translated from practice,” Lynch said. “We couldn’t wait for the tipoff.
“We played defense and we rebounded. When we did both, it generated offense.”
Shaw dunked twice in the fourth quarter, and the second 13-0 run turned it into a rout. Kashmir Ivy scored 10 points and Kindrel Morris chipped in with eight for Larkin.
“It’s really tough to play from behind against a team that good,” Bartlett coach Jim Wolfsmith said. “They’re too quick and too athletic, and they’re getting their home court (edge).
“It’s too hard to chase them.”
Bartlett standout Ben Tompson scored 13 points. When foul trouble slowed Tompson, teammate Austin Gates stepped up to lead with 22 points.
“Austin did a real good job with that — defensively, offensively, real good work for the young sophomore,” Wolfsmith said. “Austin is a big-game player.”
Carter made a decision in January for Larkin to sit back more in a half-court defense and trap less. It led to the effort displayed Friday by Larkin’s man-to-man defense.
“(Bartlett) missed shots they usually make,” Carter said. “I just think our defense has become pretty good at getting them out of their comfort zone.”
Carter called offensive improvement the next step. Larkin won despite 19 turnovers.
“We have to be better Tuesday than (Friday night),” Carter said.
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