Metea Valley guard Manny Miller played only a minor role off the bench as a sophomore last season, but it was an important experience for him.
Miller got an education from his older teammates.
“Watching some of those guys, they play with intensity and heart and were able to hit shots,” he said. “At practice, competing against those guys made me better.”
After four players graduated, the Mustangs needed Miller to get better. He has responded with a solid junior season.
“He’s come a long way from just coming off the bench last year to starting this year,” Metea Valley senior guard Tre Watkins said. “He’s just a great passer, always looking for the open guy. He gets buckets all the time, and he’s just great.
“It’s been fun playing with him.”
Watkins, an Illinois-Springfield commit, has taken on a much greater role as the Mustangs’ only returning starter. Meanwhile, Miller is averaging about 10 points, four rebounds and three assists.
“I knew he was going to have to step up this year, and I was confident in him to do that,” Watkins said. “He’s been able to do that. He’s made great plays throughout the season.”
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Miller made several more such plays in the regular-season finale on Friday, scoring all 10 of his points in the second quarter as the host Mustangs routed Proviso East 74-46 in Aurora.
Miller and Watkins, who paced the Mustangs (16-14) with 23 points, worked well together.
“I’ve known Tre since elementary school,” Miller said. “Me and Tre probably have about 15 lobs on the season. Knowing he can go up there and get those high lobs, it’s fun when you can throw to somebody like that.”
Miller said he prepared for this season by spending lots of time in the gym with Watkins. The Mustangs have reaped the benefits.
“We see it here,” Metea Valley coach Isaiah Davis said. “They come to our morning stuff together. They stay around after shooting.
“Tre is a good dude to work with and pattern your game after. He can go get it, and Manny throws a really good lob to him. They have real good chemistry on the floor, and they’re a joy and fun to coach.”
That was evident against the Pirates (5-21), who had no answer for the duo. Miller assisted on Watkins’ 3-pointer that gave Metea Valley a 9-0 lead, and Watkins later scored on a tip-dunk off a Miller miss.
Miller was at his best in the second quarter. His steal and layup at the 6:38 mark made it 19-9, and he later scored seven points in a span of 40 seconds. After making a jumper with 1:35 to go, Miller drove the lane and converted a three-point play. On the ensuing possession, he hit a 3-pointer from the left wing for a 35-20 cushion.
Going forward, Davis has high expectations for Miller, who will likely have to assume Watkins’ role next season.
“Absolutely, I think he will be one of the better guards in the area next year,” Davis said. “I’m excited to see the growth he will show over the next year.
“Players really improve a lot from junior to senior years, so I will be excited to watch that growth.”
In the meantime, Miller is focused on helping the 12th-seeded Mustangs surprise some people in the postseason. They will play fifth-seeded Downers Grove South (23-7) in a Class 4A Naperville North Regional semifinal at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Miller knows the Mustangs will be underdogs but is hopeful. Six of their losses have been by five points or less.
“I don’t think our record really defines us,” he said. “If we go out there and play hard, then we can beat a lot of teams. I just have to stay aggressive and try to help Tre win this game.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.