Junior guard Jimmy Rasmussen has been known this season for his defense, but he believes he has more to offer for Geneva.
“I feel like I’ve always thought of myself as a scorer,” Rasmussen said. “I feel like I can play both ends to the best of my ability — try to shut down their best player and score.”
Rasmussen put together both ends of the floor Tuesday night in a DuKane Conference game at St. Charles East.
While providing his usual rugged defense, Rasmussen also led all scorers with 16 points as the Vikings held off the Saints for a 59-56 victory.
“Jimmy was outstanding,” Geneva coach Scott Hennig said. “He’s been really good the last few games. He’s been one of our steady guys. He’s understanding playing defense without fouling, moving his feet.
“I’m just really proud of the way he played. To get 16 points while playing that defense is awesome.”
Geneva (14-13, 3-9) grabbed a 26-24 halftime lead against St. Charles East (2-22, 1-11). Rasmussen quickly helped the Vikings extend that advantage.
He hit a 3-pointer and a midrange jumper on the Vikings’ first two possessions of the second half to push the lead to 31-24. That was enough cushion to make it tougher for the Saints to force a tie or take a lead the rest of the game.
“I thought that was pretty important, but all the guys stepped up,” Rasmussen said. “I was just playing basketball.”
On a night when former St. Charles East star Justin Hardy was honored and celebrated, the Saints fought to the final whistle.
Hardy, now a senior at NCAA Division III Washington University in St. Louis, is playing this season despite having stage 4 stomach cancer.
“We played a solid game,” St. Charles East coach Patrick Woods said. “I thought we battled — just a little play here, a little play there.
“It’s unfortunate because we obviously wanted to win it for Justin. Tonight was something bigger than the game.”
The Saints’ annual Hoops for Hope night helped raise money for Hardy’s treatment. He was awarded the Jodie Harrison Lifetime Achievement Award at halftime, putting him in the school’s athletic hall of fame.
“I’m just so happy for Justin,” Woods said. “We talk all the time, and we just keep saying there’s a lot more left to do. Keep on fighting, that’s all we can do.”
The Saints trailed 41-36 after three quarters and kept hanging around.
Rahul Gor hit a 3-pointer with 2:50 left to cut the deficit to 48-47, but Mick Lawrence hit two free throws and sophomore forward Hayden Vostal drilled a corner 3-pointer to give Geneva some separation.
“Hayden’s three was huge,” Rasmussen said.
Gor hit three free throws with 1:06 left to close the Saints within 53-51, but Rasmussen effectively iced the game with a reverse layup on the other end.
After tight losses to Batavia and St. Charles North last week, the win was a welcomed sight for the Vikings.
“I felt like we hung in there,” Rasmussen said. “It was just a good win. I was glad we won too on a big night with the crowd.”
Lawrence scored 14 points for Geneva. Ryan Husky added 11. Gor led East with 13 points and Trent Warren had 10.
The Saints celebrated one of their all-time greats Tuesday night, lessening the sting of the loss but strengthening Woods’ message to the team.
“I appreciate my kids and the way they fight and battle, and Justin is a pillar of that,” Woods said of Hardy. “We just continue along that path. Hopefully, by March, we get there.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.