Jack Weigus endured an extremely tough season final yr, residing via the drama at Hinsdale South.
His transfer to Brother Rice was probably the most comprehensible switch of the summer time and it has paid off rapidly. The 6-3 senior was one of the best participant in one of many greatest video games of the younger season, scoring 28 factors to guide the undefeated No. 11 Crusaders to a 72-71 win in opposition to No. 2 Bolingbrook on Saturday in Orland Park.
“It feels surreal,” Weigus stated. “It’s been higher than you’ll be able to think about [at Brother Rice] with the coaches and the gamers. Lastly to have some consistency and really feel good and really feel supported is superior.”
Weigus was 10-for-15 from the sector and 5 of seven from three-point vary and had 5 rebounds.
The Crusaders (10-0) went about 4 minutes with out a basket throughout a stretch late within the third quarter and into the fourth. Weigus nailed a 3 with 7:16 left within the fourth quarter to finish the drought and preserve Bolingbrook (9-2) from constructing a lead.
“That was in all probability massive for us to get some rhythm again,” Weigus stated. “I used to be simply making an attempt to not power something and let the sport come to me.”
The sport was tight all through, with each groups capturing properly till the Raiders hit laborious occasions on the free-throw line within the fourth quarter. Bolingbrook missed 5 consecutive free throws in the midst of the quarter.
The Raiders had an opportunity to win on the finish, however star sophomore Davion Thompson couldn’t get a shot off. Thompson completed with 23 factors. Senior JT Pettigrew had 19 factors, eight rebounds, 4 blocks and two steals. Kendall Cutler added 13 factors and 6 rebounds for Bolingbrook.
“We have to make a couple of performs down the stretch and we didn’t make them,” Raiders coach Rob Brost stated. “And [Brother Rice] is nice. It’s a must to give them credit score.”
Citadel recruit Marcos Gonzales had 11 factors and 6 rebounds for the Crusaders. KJ Morris added 10 factors and 5 rebounds and Caden Workman completed with seven factors and 5 rebounds.
Gonzales and Workman each fouled out. Brother Rice rebounded properly as a crew and was bodily with Bolingbrook, not permitting any simple baskets.
“I wouldn’t say being bodily with them was actually a part of the sport plan,” Weigus stated. “That’s simply who we’re as a crew.”
Brother Rice’s undefeated begin to the season was surprising and a win in opposition to preseason No. 1 Bolingbrook takes issues to a different stage.
“We had a very good summer time,” Crusaders coach Conte Stamas stated. “It is a actually linked group. And one other yr with me in this system helps. I didn’t know what our document could be however I felt we had an opportunity to be a very good, strong crew.”
Weigus’ influence on the crew is even deeper than it seems from the skin.
“[Weigus] is not only an amazing participant for us,” Stamas stated. “He’s an amazing child and an amazing scholar. He has slot in seamlessly. It’s a pleasure to educate a child like that. And he’s develop into a frontrunner in lower than a yr. To do this at a brand new faculty says lots a couple of child. We’re thrilled to have him.”
