Reams, Warren go deep against Mundelein
No, he wasn’t the quarterback on the Warren football team — but he’s got a heck of a throwing arm.
During football season, Caleb Reams played tight end. And you can see how playing that fall sport might help during basketball season.
He can collar most any ball thrown his way, even the ones over his head.
“Football helps me with my jumping ability,’’ Reams said. “And I’m aggressive and have the same mind set. I can catch the ball in traffic. And I’m stronger than most kids.”
Warren welcomed back injured star Adrian Deere (17 points) and jumped out early on home-standing Mundelein on Saturday night. The Blue Devils (4-4) never looked back in posting a 78-63 NSC Lake Division victory. That was despite surrendering a dozen 3-pointers to the Mustangs.
“We are coming together,’’ Reams said. “Everybody can score. Greg (Swain) and Jovan (Jokic) are great scorers. And Adrian is just back and he’s a great player.”
Deere (knee) showed no ill effects from his layoff. He went on a personal 9-point run in the first quarter as the Devils opened up a quick 12-1 lead.
Warren coach Ryan Webber was quick to salute the home team.
“Mundelein is a good team,’’ Webber said. “They play super hard. And they are never going to quit.”
He was also proud of his team’s work as well.
“We rebounded well and shared the ball well,’’ he said.
Early on, it looked like Warren was going to take care of the Mustangs.
“That’s our style,’’ said Mundelein point guard Nick Filippo. “We get behind. Sometimes we are not intense. We have to learn how to play fast.”
Mundelein (1-7) had no answers early for the quick-striking Devils. On a 3-pointer from Dominic Cuevas it was 21-6 Warren late in the first quarter. The Warren lead surged to over 20 points on a Reams layup. The football star finished with 6 points and 8 rebounds. It was 34-10 halfway through the second quarter.
Mundelein’s game plan changed in the second half. Derek Parola (six 3-pointers) and Tyler Olson (four 3’s) took turns firing in long shots. Parola had 5 of his in the second half. Olson had all of his in the second half.
Despite this offensive explosion, the Mustangs still had trouble catching Warren.
“I thought we battled,’’ Filippo said. “Our second half was much better. Our shots went in.”
Filippo starts at point guard for the Mustangs and yes, he stands 5-foot-5.
“I’m hoping to grow a little,’’ he said. “I’ve heard of kids growing a few inches in college.”
Warren’s third-quarter hero was James Betori. He scored 7 straight points, and his final basket followed a long pass play from Reams.
Swain (22 points) opened the second half with a flip shot, doubling Mundelein at 42-21. He had 17 second-half points and closed his night with a dunk shot.
Parola’s 3-point attack helped him lead the Mustangs with 20 points.
Olson checked in with 15 points. Sam Nelson was steady most of the night and added 12 points. Also helping the Warren cause were Cuevas (11 points) and Betori (10 points).