The Mundelein boys basketball team has flashy players such as juniors Conor Enright, Scottie Ebube and Trey Baker.
But another junior, Jack Bikus, often is the one making big plays behind the scenes.
Bikus has boosted the Mustangs with 3-pointers and offensive rebounds and by diving on loose balls. He always finds a way to get involved.
“He does such a wide array of things depending on where we need him,” Mundelein coach Matt Badgley said. “It’s such a comfort zone for me as a coach.”
Badgley is comfortable with the 6-foot-3 Bikus on the floor. He’s averaged 30 minutes per game for the last two seasons.
Enright was the North Suburban Conference Player of the Year this season, and Bikus has been along for the ride since they first played YMCA ball together in grade school.
“He has such a good basketball IQ, always gets in the right spot,” Enright said. “He has such long arms, longer than most people think.”
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Bikus’ two older brothers, Jeff and Joey, are 6-6 or taller, and Jeff Bikus is a sophomore forward at Hope College (Mich.). Their mother, Ann Bikus, played at Beloit (Wis.).
The Bikus home in Hawthorn Woods has a basketball hoop on the driveway, and Ann Bikus drew a free-throw line and 3-point line for her sons to practice.
“When I was younger, we’d lower the hoop and dunk on each other,” Jack Bikus said. “I was usually not on the good side of that.”
Now, Bikus is on the good side of most of what happens on the court. He helped the Mustangs blow out Wheeling on March 3 in a Class 4A Fremd Regional semifinal, then helped Mundelein topple Fremd on Friday to claim its first regional championship since 2013.
“Coach (Badgley) trusts me to get a feel for the game. It can be scoring points, helping others get points, finding shooters,” Bikus said. “Helping my team win is all I care about.”
Mundelein (29-4) tied the program record for wins in a season. The Mustangs have never won a sectional championship, but they are the No. 2 seed in the Prospect Sectional. They were scheduled to face the host Knights on Tuesday in a sectional semifinal.
“We put ourselves in position to be ready for this time of the season,” Badgley said. “We’ve played pretty consistent the whole season.”
“We know what it feels like to be in good games with good crowds,” Enright added. “Our conference has us ready for these games and will separate us from other teams.”
Jon J. Kerr is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press