St. Charles East overcomes another obstacle
ROCKFORD - A lot of teams like to talk next man up. It's more than talk at St. Charles East.
The Saints have had key players in and out of their lineup all year. Just when it looked like they were finally healthy and clicking in an 17-point victory over Batavia Friday to win a regional championship, the bad luck struck again.
Junior guard Zach Mitchell scored a game-high 17 points in that win over Batavia. On Sunday morning he had an appendectomy, and on Wednesday he was in street clothes for the Class 4A Rock Valley College sectional semifinal with Prairie Ridge.
Tough break to say the least.
But his teammates had his back.
Next man up.
James McQuillan, who missed half of the season with his own injury, took Mitchell's spot in the starting lineup and finished as one of three Saints in double figures in a 68-46 romp to advance to Friday's sectional title game against Rockford Auburn.
"I just felt terrible for Zach," McQuillan said. "I know how hard he's worked to get back from his wrist. To see him go down is tough for me because he's a really good friend of mine. I just want to play the best I can and play a little for him. Hopefully we can keep winning and hopefully he can suit up again."
Saints coach Patrick Woods is optimistic about that, perhaps as soon as Friday when St. Charles East could certainly use Mitchell's ball-handling skills against speedy Rockford Auburn.
"Recovery time is soon," Woods said. "We are hoping to get him back soon. Everything went smoothly. I can't promise (Friday) but that would be great.
"This team is used to this. We have had four of our top six out at times this year. We just go with the flow and the next one in line steps up. It's such a great team mentality. We've had a great team mentality (before) but I think we even upped it a notch this year."
That team effort included more minutes for the starters, especially McQuillan who has been eased back into a reserve role late in the year. Prairie Ridge came at McQuillan with full-court pressure and an aggressive half-court trap, yet he found open shooters time and time again.
"I was pretty tired," McQuillan said. "I don't remember what quarter it was but I remember being winded. It's basketball, you are going to push through it."
Reserve guards Grayson Brucato and Alec Champine played roles. Brucato sank a 3-pointer and 2 free throws when Woods tabbed him to shoot after a technical foul.
"Grayson is our 3-point specialist. Grayson is a phenomenal shooter," Woods said. "Alec, we've been trying to get him going in that backup point guard role. Now that James is back he's kind of eating his minutes away but he's only a sophomore and he's got a bright future."
Zach Hondlik led the balanced attack with 13 points and J.T. Ford scored 12. All those injuries are a big reason why the Saints' record might not glitter at 18-12, but they are playing their best basketball at the right time.
"We've been struggling through injuries this year," Hondlik said. "Zach snap-chatted me in the morning (Sunday) saying 'I just got out of surgery.' He was having a little stomach pain I guess. I thought we're just going to have to do it again, we'll have to keep battling."
Battle the Saints did, jumping to a 16-6 lead before the first quarter was half over. There's supposed to be last-second drama when you get to sectionals - not 30-point leads and the benches clearing with five minutes left.
But the way St. Charles East is peaking, that's just what Wednesday brought, even against an opponent that entered the game 25-3.
As a result the Saints are one win away from their first sectional title since 2001.
Hopefully in the 48 hours between now and Friday night no player turns an ankle, twists a knee or needs to get another body part removed.
Though if any team could handle it, it's these Saints.
"No offense to Zach but I don't think anyone noticed," Woods said. "That's how well we played."