Sometimes, numbers conceal more than they reveal.
Junior guard Isaiah Smith shows off a high-impact game across the board, even though his averages of 8.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 steals might not stand out.
“I like to find my shot through the offense,” Smith said. “I have been playing a lot off the ball, but I can also play with the ball.”
When looking beyond the obvious numbers, however, the best part about Smith is his efficiency.
He’s shooting 68.3% (58-for-85) on 2-point attempts. He’s shooting 39% on 58 3-point attempts. He’s also shooting 71% (20-for-28) from the free-throw line.
“I feel like I am a young leader on this team,” Smith said. “I am still just learning. The biggest adjustment with the varsity game is just how much faster the game is and how intense every possession is.”
The 6-foot-2 Smith combines excellent size and athleticism as a combo player who’s a big part of Waubonsie’s four-guard attack.
Forward Marcus Skeete is the only starting senior. Smith, Adri Malushi and Justin Starks are fluid and interchangeable.
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Ben Schwieger is the tallest starter at 6-5. The Warriors do not typically play a traditional, low-post center.
Smith is free to attack off the dribble or roam free in space to get to the rim.
“Isaiah is a very dynamic player who is a really big asset to our team,” Malushi said. “He always has great energy and has earned his position with his hard work.”
Waubonsie features the energy and passion of youth symbolized by four junior starters. The savvy and experienced Skeete grounds the rest of the team.
“The juniors have been together for a long time now, and we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” Smith said. “We are very good at playing off of each other.
“But we are also very young. In certain situations, we need people like Marcus to guide us a little bit.”
Waubonsie (21-3, 4-2) plays at 7 p.m. Friday against host Neuqua Valley (18-6, 2-4) in a pivotal DuPage Valley Conference game. The Wildcats have won 12 out of their last 14.
The Warriors are two games behind DeKalb (20-5, 6-0) in the conference race.
“I have been successful because I have the right people around me, the right coaching and the right teammates,” Smith said. “The game is not that hard for me because I love it so much. I just want to work hard to get better.”
Revenge mode: First-year coach Isaiah Davis had a rude awakening to conference play on Dec. 6 after Metea Valley was on the wrong side of a 72-34 loss to Naperville Central.
On Friday night in Aurora, senior guard Myles Leavy ignited an 11-1 closing burst as the Mustangs avenged that defeat with a 53-49 victory that marked Davis’ first win in conference.
Leavy broke the 49-49 tie on a shot with two seconds remaining for Metea (9-13, 1-5).
Senior guard Ethan Tai scored a career-high 16 points and Leavy finished with 13 points. Junior forward Alex Moreno had 11 points and six rebounds.
“We have the makings of having a very competitive team,” Davis said.
Upset season: This part of the schedule is loaded with surprises.
Naperville North (11-11, 2-4) also avenged a one-sided conference loss.
Junior forward Grant Johnson scored 24 points and sophomore guard Zeke Williams added 20 as the Huskies stunned Waubonsie Valley 62-53 Friday night in Aurora.
Waubonsie Valley defeated Naperville North 57-33 on Dec. 6.
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.