He’s got game.
And finally, Yorkville’s Jason Jakstys is getting to show it.
Six games into his varsity career, the 6-foot-8 sophomore is leading the Foxes (3-3), averaging 14 points and 7.5 rebounds. This season comes after circumstances forced a delay in the spring.
“I was frustrated because I was really looking forward to last season,” Jakstys said.
So was first-year coach John Holakovsky, who promoted Jakstys to the varsity as a freshman for a season that was delayed until 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Jakstys joined his brother Justin, then a 6-8 junior, and the other varsity players for the six practices leading into the first game when the rug was pulled from underneath him.
“I got quarantined the day of our first game,” Jason said of close contact he had with a classmate who tested positive.
Things went from bad to worse as a second quarantine cost him the second half of the season.
“Jason never tested positive for COVID-19 but didn’t get to play,” Holakovsky said.
His debut came during Thanksgiving week at the Sycamore Tournament against Rochelle. Jakstys scored 18 points in a 55-50 victory.
They may be the Foxes’ twin towers, but Jason and Justin are more like forwards than traditional post players.
“They’re two of our better shooters,” Holakovsky said. “They can both finish at the rim and play in the paint but are comfortable on the perimeter, too. That kind of flexibility is nice to have.”
Justin Jakstys is averaging 5.3 points and 3.3 rebounds but has been dealing with a leg injury that cost him 2 1/2 games. He is sidelined again this week.
Justin, who wants to become a doctor like his father, Tom, said he has strained the tendons that attach his hamstring to the back of his knee.
Holakovsky plans to have Justin sit out until he’s fully recovered as the team deals with a plague of injuries.
Senior starters Nate Kraus (ankle) and LeBarron Lee (ankle) also are sidelined, as is sophomore guard Michael Dunn (shoulder).
“This is the first time we’ve ever played together in organized ball,” Justin Jakstys said of his brother. “I like to play off the ball, and with my dribbling, can take it to the basket, but I definitely can catch and shoot.”
Jason said being the younger brother playing against Justin has helped him develop his game.
Both play for teams in a Naperville-based travel team. Jason said his freshman group would often scrimmage his older brother’s team.
The Jakstys brothers hope to continue with basketball at the next level like their dad, who played at Illinois Wesleyan.
“Skills wise, he has me,” Justin said of Jason. “But I’ve got him by 30 pounds. I’ve spent more time in the weight room while he’s worked more on his game. Guys on the team all call me ‘older brother.’
‘Hopefully, we get everybody back and make a run.”
The big shot: With time winding down Saturday and Huntley holding a two-point lead in a game between a pair of unbeaten teams, Batavia coach Jim Nazos was happy to have the ball in the hands of Trent Tousana, his senior point guard.
“What’s improved the most is his decision-making,” Nazos said of the 5-10 Tousana, who’s in his third varsity season. “He’s gotten stronger and more confident and doesn’t put himself in as many bad situations, like double teams, as he did when he was a sophomore.
“Trent is an endless worker, always shooting before and after practice.”
It paid off as Tousana made a 3-pointer with four seconds to go, sending Batavia (6-0) past Huntley (6-1). The Bulldogs grabbed a missed free throw with 20 seconds left.
Tousana, who finished with 30 points in the 67-66 win, worked off a high ball screen. Two other players crashed to the basket, giving him multiple options on the final play.
“They left Tousana alone,” Nazos said.
Tousana, who had 19 points Friday in a DuKane Conference win over Wheaton North, is averaging 19 points and 5.2 assists.
On a tear: Senior guard Mason Accidentale sank a pair of free throws with four seconds left Saturday to lift Plano to a 58-56 win over Yorkville.
Accidentale, who is averaging 22.5 points, finished with 32 points for the Reapers (2-4). He also scored 36 points against Hinckley-Big Rock and 29 against Pekin earlier in the season.