Consider Cam Morel a believer.
Does practice really make as perfect as the adage says?
It’s debatable, but Morel is certain it makes him better. And that’s enough for Aurora Christian’s long-distance shooting specialist.
“He’s one of those kids who is the first one in, last one out, and is shooting all the time,” Eagles coach Dan Beebe said. “Sometimes after practice, you almost have to say, ‘Hey, I need to go home. It’s 9 o’clock at night. Let’s get out of the gym.'”
The hard work is paying off.
Morel, a 6-foot-3 junior guard, entered Tuesday’s 65-36 rout of struggling Elmwood Park at home in a Metro Suburban Conference crossover with back-to-back games where he made seven 3-pointers.
“I was feeling it,” Morel said of a win over Chicago Christian and a loss to IC Catholic.
The program record of 11 3-pointers in a game was set in 2002 by Matt Chionis.
“I think the numbers speak for themselves,” Morel said. “I do love threes. I was a little off (Tuesday night), but I’m happy we played as a team. On these nights, we have to get points otherwise.”
That’s just what Morel did, getting to the rim to lead Aurora Christian (15-5) with 11 points. He ended up shooting 0-for-3 from beyond the arc.
He also had a pair of assists and a pair of steals to go with four rebounds as the Eagles opened a 20-6 lead over the Tigers (2-15) after one quarter and extended that to 36-11 at halftime.
“I just try to facilitate more when my shot is not falling,” Morel said. “I like to open up and drive and kick out to my teammates.”
Working on his shooting has been a way of life for Morel, influenced by the coaches and players at Aurora Christian and the M14 travel team.
“I’m thankful to have people in my life who played basketball before me and are willing to share the things they have learned to give me the opportunity to become a better shooter,” Morel said.
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Where he lives in Sugar Grove also helps.
“I have a park by my house with a basket on a tennis court,” Morel said. “I would ride my bike over there and get shots up before I could drive.”
Since getting his driver’s license last summer, he can often be found at Aurora Christian, taking advantage of a machine that returns the ball to a practicing shooter.
“I would try to get at least a thousand shots up a day in the offseason,” Morel said. “If I couldn’t make it to the number, I’d get some shots up and work on other things.
“Coach mentioned at the start of the season I needed to be more active on the boards. I’ve been trying to work on that a little more.”
Morel has help down low this season from a pair of seniors in 6-6 Grant Keppy and 6-4 Parker Vandermolen.
‘They’re solid contributors,” Beebe said. “They’re not always gonna score, but they’ve been solid at the defensive end, blocking shots and rebounding.”
Keppy contributed 10 points Tuesday, the only other one to reach double figures, but 11 players scored for the Eagles.
The Eagles will be tested Thursday when they host Metro Suburban Blue leader Riverside-Brookfield (16-4) and 6-11 junior center Stefan Cicic.
Look for Morel, who was eighth or ninth in Aurora Christian’s rotation last season, to be a major factor.
“He’s always been a good shooter,” Beebe said. “Now, he’s more consistent. He’s filling a leadership role, a scoring role, and he’s developing a whole game. His 3-pointer is his best shot, but he’s got a nice midrange shot and he’s going to the basket.
“One thing you appreciate with Cam — everything he’s getting, he’s worked really hard to get.”