By Nick Boose, Reporter
Varsity boys’ basketball has been on an up and down run this year, but have been performing well in regionals, Coach Brian Johnson said.
“[The team] started really strong. We were able to build early momentum and win us 15 games,” Johnson said.
With the regular season done, the team finished third in conference after losing to Rochelle on Feb. 24. Rochelle and DeKalb tied for first place in the division. With a win Feb. 29 and Mar. 2, the Kaneland Knights Boys Basketball team would be regional champs.
This season the team won third place at the Plano Christmas Tournament. The boys also won second place at the Batavia Windmill Tournament.
The team’s record this year is 15-10. In the attempt to win the conference title last season, the team had the same record. However, they finished off strong with a seven game win streak.
Winning conference last year made it the first conference title for KHS since 1982. The boys are hoping to capture conference this year, Johnson said. In order for it to happen the team must win their game against Rochelle on Feb. the 24th. Dekalb has to lose to Sycamore in order for a three way tie between Sycamore, DeKalb and Kaneland.
Senior Marcel Neil, who transferred from West Aurora this year, has been the varsity team’s leading scorer, averaging 12.8 points per game.
“Once I got here it was really easy. I discovered that everyone here already knew me,” Neil said.
Neil has had a lot of success, but he credits the rest of the team knowing, that it’s not a single player game.
“[My scoring] is all because of the teammates; they help out a lot. They set up nice screens and picks,” Neil said.
Neil said that he clicks well with sophomore Thomas Williams. Williams is a top producing member on the team. Williams has the second most points per game, scoring an average of 10.3 points.
“Marcel and I just had an instant bond when he came here,” Williams said.
Other leading scorers include senior Trever Heinle, scoring an average of 7.6 points a game. Senior Tyler Heinle follows, scoring an average of 7.2 points a game. Sophomore Drew David scores an average of 6.4 points a game.
The Knights have out-rebounded their opposition all season, the boys average about 26.6 rebounds a game, while their opponents average 18.7 a game.
“When we rebound well, we win games,” Johnson said.
Williams follows him with a total of 104 rebounds. Dan Miller follows them with a total of 87 rebounds in the season. Matt Limbrunner has a total of 85 rebounds a game.
“I work hard and attack the boards hard,” said Limbrunner.
