Warren grows weary of near misses

Getting close just isn't cutting it anymore for the Warren boys basketball team.

The Blue Devils (8-12, 2-6 North Suburban Lake) are getting tired of competing with some of the best teams in the state, even pushing them to the brink, and then falling short.

In a total of five games against Zion-Benton, Lake Forest and Stevenson, three of the top teams in Class 4A, Warren has lost all five games by a combined 31 points, or about 6 points per game.

The Blue Devils' two losses to Zion-Benton have been by 4 and 3 points, respectively. A loss to Lake Forest last month was by 3 points.

On Tuesday at Lake Forest, Warren was down just 1 point at halftime and by just 3 points with three minutes remaining before falling 46-34.

"We play everybody tough," Warren senior forward Caleb Reams said. "All of the top teams in our conference are some of the best in the state and we're losing close games every single game.

"It's kind of heartbreaking, but I think we're coming together and we're going to shock one of those teams one of these times."

Warren still has another shot at No. 1 Stevenson, which got a 9-point win against the Blue Devils back in December. The Blue Devils host Stevenson on Feb. 17.

"We're playing a really tough schedule. We don't get blown out. We think the best is ahead of us still," Warren coach Ryan Webber said. "I think the guys believe that we'll (turn the corner). They've just got to go do it now.

"It's our calling card (to be close) and you kind of grow tired of that. We're just knocking on the door and at some point, you've got to kick it in. You've got to get tired of coming close and playing guys close. You've got to get better. You've got to decide that you're going to win those games."

Super size that:

There have been some very talented basketball players, both male and female, to walk the halls at Stevenson.

But senior guard Jalen Brunson has achieved the most national recognition, and he got one of his biggest honors last week when it was revealed that he had earned a spot in the prestigious McDonald's all-American game.

He's the only Stevenson basketball player to achieve that distinction.

"We are extremely proud of Jalen and his accomplishments. We were hopeful after his play these past years, the USA Olympic development teams he played on and many other showcases that he would be selected," Stevenson coach Pat Ambrose said. "Jalen is incredibly gifted, but that does not stop him from working to better himself in so many, many ways. We know that he will represent his family, his school and the program well at an incredible event that we are lucky to have here in the Chicagoland area."

And you can bet that Brunson's teammates will be cheering him on. Ambrose says that the McDonald's achievement is a reflection on the entire program.

"The selection means a lot to our program because all of us have had a hand in helping Jalen reach great heights," Ambrose said. "Jalen' s teammates (past and present) are also very aware of his dedication and great personality on and off the court."

Rewind that:

Some coaches are unnerved by flash.

Wauconda coach Scott Luetschwager says bring it on. He was looking for a spark for his slumping team and discovered that some flash could be just as effective as spark, which is why junior guard Danny Stanley is getting more and more playing time lately.

Formerly a reserve, Stanley has started a few games in the last two weeks, and Wauconda ended a four-game skid with three straight wins.

"Some of the moves Danny pulls off, I'm just like, 'I need to rewind the tape on that to see how he did it,'" Luetschwager said. "It's behind the back passes, between the legs, spin moves. He's got a lot of really good skills and he's stepped up his game for us lately."

Stanley is averaging nearly 4 assists over the last five games, nearly double his season average. He's also scoring more by attacking the rim more aggressively.

"We knew Danny had that flash, even last year as a sophomore," Luetschwager said. "But it's just been getting that flash (to translate) to the varsity level where things are quicker.

"Earlier this season, he'd try to make certain passes and get down driving lanes and it wasn't quite there. But he's adapted and adjusted like we knew he would. We knew it would just be a matter of time for Danny."

More flash:

Wauconda coach Scott Luetschwager says that players with the flashy skills of Danny Stanley are rare.

"Danny is always playing basketball, he really loves it and is always working on his game," Luetschwager said. "I think that's why his game is where it is. I think Dion Head (a senior at Wauconda last year) was kind of like that in that he could create so much with his vision and ball-handling.

"It's rare and it's that part of his game that makes Danny special."

Stanley's teammates are now used to his flare, and no-look passes. But they weren't always.

"Early in the season, Danny has some passes that his teammates just weren't ready for," Luetschwager said. "We had to talk to our guys, tell them that they had to be ready at all times with Danny on the floor, that they had to be ready for anything, because if you're even a little bit open, he will find a way to get you the ball."

Masked man:

The safer option would probably be to be masked.

But Wauconda forward Parker Fink is much happier playing maskless.

His nasal passage collapsed when he got elbowed in practice a few weeks ago, so he was issued a face mask for protection.

"I think he played one game in the mask, against Round Lake, and I know he was really frustrated by it," Wauconda coach Scott Luetschwager said. "I just had to tell him, 'I know you can't see anything. Just slow yourself down and be a little more focused with everything you do.'"

Fink ditched the mask after the Round Lake game and is more comfortable, even without the protection. He hit a 3-pointer in a win over Antioch last weekend.