Waukegan’s Lawrence Harris knows he will be lining up against bigger players in the post this season.
The 6-foot-3 senior forward will give up a few inches to opponents in the North Suburban Conference but isn’t worried about it.
“I’m pretty strong, so I can move some guys out of the way if I need to,” he said.
Harris, a fourth-year varsity player, used his strength and experience to score 13 points and grab seven rebounds in the Bulldogs’ 79-58 nonconference win against visiting Round Lake on Wednesday.
Harris stood strong on the back end of the pressing defense to guard the basket for Waukegan (2-3) while his smaller, quick teammates forced 24 turnovers by the Panthers (0-4). He also showed his ability to run the floor to find openings in Round Lake’s defense.
“Our freshmen are fun to watch, but so is everybody on this team,” Harris said. “I think we really work together even though we have players with a lot of different ages.”
Waukegan coach Ron Ashlaw agreed that the team’s chemistry is better this season.
“They are all buds,” he said. “I think that’s one of the bigger differences between this team and other teams we’ve had recently. They really seem to get along well.”
Waukegan has also struggled to win, totaling five victories in the previous three seasons.
“This team still has to figure out how to win consistently, but I think this team can see a much brighter future down the road than other teams we’ve had in recent years,” Ashlaw said.
Harris knows all about the lean period.
“This season feels different,” he said. “I know it’s early yet and we have a lot of improving to do, but everyone is excited about this team. Our older players like me are excited to hopefully start something big for our younger guys.”
Several of Waukegan’s talented underclassmen were on display Wednesday — including freshman Simereon Carter, who hit five 3-pointers and scored a team-high 22 points. Seniors Devin Malone (10 points), Rayshaun Aaron (8 points) and Izaiah Diaz (8 points) also contributed.
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Round Lake sophomore Jarren Glover (25 points) and junior LaMarr Pierce (19 points) had big games offensively, but Waukegan put the clamps down early in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.
“We really placed an emphasis on execution this week after our opening games against bigger and more experienced teams down in Rock Island,” Ashlaw said. “We held our own most of the time. But if we do a better job of execution against the teams we’re playing now, we should be in a better position to do well.”
Harris wants to take his game to the next level and play in college, where he probably wouldn’t have to stay in the paint as much as he does for the Bulldogs.
“Lawrence has a lot of potential, but he knows that in order to help his high school team right now he has to make some sacrifices,” Ashlaw said. “We need everyone to pull together do get the job done. Everyone is a basketball player, not just a position player.”
Harris doesn’t mind doing the dirty work to help Waukegan succeed.
“The plan is to play in college, but that’s in the future,” he said. “Right now, we want to be a contender in our conference, so I need to help our team on the boards on offense and defense.”
Darren Day is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.