Being winless in late January and optimism don’t usually go together. But those are Round Lake’s current circumstances.
The Panthers’ extreme inexperience is the primary reason for their lack of victories. Sophomore guard LaMarr Pierce figures prominently in their positivity.
“It’s very clear that he wants to be the guy,” Round Lake coach Jay Iden said of Pierce. “He’s got a really mature way about him, and he’s a workaholic who’s always in the gym working on his game.”
Pierce’s dedication shows in many ways, some of which would only be recognized by a coach, like being conscious in his footwork and always making a jump stop when readying for a pass or a shot.
Pierce also is equipped with a big-picture outlook as the Panthers (0-17, 0-8) rebuild after winning consecutive Northern Lake County Conference championships in 2020-21 behind Deveauntay McNeal, Hakim Williams and Nick Pierre, who are just three of the many players who graduated last year.
“You just have to trust in the process,” Pierce said. “We’re all adjusting to playing on this level, and some of this is good for us. We’re making strides and becoming brothers.”
Both Iden and Pierce are confident the process will pay off. While the growing pains continue in game action, vital work takes place behind the scenes.
Pierce seeks counsel from coaches during study halls, when film is examined.
“The more access I can get to basketball, the better,” Pierce said. “The extra work really helps.”
One part of Pierce’s game that he identified as needing help was an early season tendency to commit charging fouls. Being able to slow things down in his mind and see things unfold on film have made a big difference.
“I’ve gotten much better at playing at my own pace, not letting the defenders speed me up,” Pierce said. “And if I miss a couple of shots, I know my teammates have trust in me that I’ll make the next one.”
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The 6-foot-1 Pierce, who averages 10.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, is comfortable straying from the perimeter to mine for inside scoring opportunities.
“I like going around defenders to make my way into the paint,” he said. “It’s all about not playing scared.”
Pierce also showed how dominant he can be with 18 points in the first half of a Dec. 13 loss to Johnsburg. Pierce missed most of the second half with cramps, but that outing gave him firsthand evidence of what he’s capable of doing.
“We have to remember we’re younger than these teams we’re playing,” Pierce said. “We have a lot of talent, and in the next couple of years, I think we can dominate.”
Estepp in the right direction: Grayslake Central coach Brian Centella asks a lot from Dennis Estepp.
As the junior point guard’s season has progressed, it’s become increasingly evident that he can handle the workload for the Rams (15-9, 6-2).
“The ball is in his hands a ton, so there’s a lot of decision-making,” Centella said. “He also has super active hands and a nose for the ball, which usually leads to a really big defensive assignment.”
Estepp recognizes that the game has slowed down for him, a stark difference from his first varsity season last year, when Grayslake Central was limited to just eight games.
Perhaps his best statistical night came in the Rams’ 60-44 win against rival Grayslake North on Dec. 11, when he had 19 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.
“That’s when I started to feel like I was really hitting my stride,” Estepp said. “It was a turning point in my confidence, and I’m in a pretty good spot now.”
When Estepp was in a shooting slump earlier this season, he redirected his efforts to other parts of his game instead of pressing.
His midrange game has become a strength.
“It feels like half my points are coming from there,” Estepp said. “And once I started shooting better, the ‘D’ stepped over to me, and that improved my passing.”
Tidbits: Lakes’ place atop the Northern Lake County Conference standings has been aided by three buzzer-beaters. The latest came Tuesday night, when senior guard Eli Roberts delivered one in a 60-59 win against Grayslake North. Roberts did the same to force overtime against Antioch on Jan. 5, and senior guard Ethan McGruder hit the winner for the Eagles (11-10, 7-1) against Wauconda three days later. … Also for Lakes, junior forward Brock Marino has been doing yeoman’s work on the glass. He has six double-doubles and had a school-record 18 rebounds in a win against North Chicago on Saturday. … Vernon Hills’ Central Suburban North prospects improved with the return of senior guard Nick Heiser late last week. He had missed nearly three weeks with consecutive illnesses and had 10 points and two steals in a 50-44 win against Maine West on Jan. 21. The Cougars (13-9, 3-3) used a 17-10 advantage in the fourth quarter to seal the deal.
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.