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By Luke Elder The atmosphere in Clemente high’s old, noisy gym is different now that the regular season comes to a close. The incessant turmoil, arguing and whistleblowing is nowhere to be found. Instead, assistant coach “Cheese” Onuselogu purposefully misses three pointers, so his players can focus on box-outs for rebounding. Players laugh and poke fun at each other, but quickly focus as soon as the basketball hits the rim. If the white jerseys get three rebounds, the blue team has to run. A player in white gnashes and grabs the ball from his teammate, completing their third. The blue team readies themselves for down and backs, without any fuss or complaint. They take long strides, and in two short sprints, return to the drill. Though the air is light, Clemente’s effort is evident. The regional playoffs are fast approaching for Clemente high as they prepare to face off against Holy Trinity on Saturday night. There is no time to waste anymore. “I told the seniors man, it's win and go home. This could be the end of your high school career–it could end like that, or you can keep it going. So it's going to be up to Lawrence and Jacob, they have to figure it out.” Head coach Greg Fleming said. “They’ve got to come play big, a lot of minutes. I'm expecting them to play tough and lead the team, this younger group. It’s in their hands.” Clemente’s team began the season with four seniors, but due to incidents beyond basketball, are left now with just two: the huge, yet soft spoken Lawrence Roval and tenacious defender Jacob Perez. Though their team enters the regional tournament with a record of just 4-21, their expectations are high. “I feel great. I feel like we can take this region by storm. Make Clemente history.” Roval said. “Bring back Humboldt Park.” “I wouldn't say I'm nervous. I want my guys to be ready because I can't be ready if they're not, too.” Perez said. “We all have to be on the same page. So, I would say come Saturday, I'm not nervous, I'm not scared. I’m a competitor. We’ll bring the intensity.” Though Perez and his teammates must travel for their first regional matchup, he actually considers it an advantage. During an early October scrimmage, Clemente fell to Holy Trinity by just three, with a missed chance at a game winner. “I think we’ll be more comfortable playing there because we’ve played there before. We know the feeling, the atmosphere.” Perez said. “We weren't composed [during their October scrimmage versus Holy Trinity] and we just weren't the same team as we are now. We’re ready.” Roval and Perez have a great deal on their plates, with hopes of leading their underdog team through a string of tough playoff upsets. What comes after is a more concerning question. What's next?The jump from Winter to Spring is imminent, as Chicago’s snow becomes slush, and frozen dirt sinks back into mud. This means graduation for Clemente’s small senior class, and questions towards the future. Saturday could prove to be Roval’s last basketball game for Clemente high, or maybe ever. “I’m Nervous, man. This is my first year actually playing a lot—my first year I didn't get to play that much. I was just riding the bench. Even on J.V., I barely played. It took me a long ways just to get on the court.” Roval said. “A lot of these games I was nervous because I didn't wanna mess up, like, it's my first year of starting. My first year playing the entire game, back to back to back. It's my last year of high school, I'm trying to make history. Have my jersey retired or something.” Roval, unlike many of his teammates, is not centered entirely on basketball. He’s also an avid and talented cook. Though he doesn’t have a favorite dish, he says he can perfect most any recipe in two or three tries. Culinary arts is a space where Lawrence Roval is very confident. “Both cooking and basketball are my passion, I don't know which [is more important].” Roval said. ”They both weigh the same in my mind. So hopefully, basketball can pay for everything. If I don't go pro, I’ll say “hey, I have cooking.”  Lawrence Roval prepares for a finish during Clemente practice. Courtesy of Luke Elder/The Elder Sportsman Roval doesn’t just want to be a head chef. Clemente’s kindest player hopes that his broad shoulders and 6-foot-6 frame will work well on camera as a cooking show superstar. Though he isn’t an angry Englishman, his gentle demeanor and tall hair could bode well for the silver screen. His layups might translate well to whisking. “I wanna be like somebody big, like Gordon Ramsey. Or even bigger than that. I feel that I have a lot of potential to be a great cook.” Roval said. “Coach Greg came to my cookout and enjoyed the food. He had, like, five plates and took home two to his wife. He wants me to cook for the team now.” For the time being, Roval’s focus is cooking up a different recipe: big playoff wins. Not only is Roval the team’s quietest player, but also one of the most intense. His demeanor has changed tremendously since the season's start. You might not hear it, but the feeling is palpable. Roval is coming off his first double-double in last Friday’s win over Mather after many struggles to find his stride. His coaches see the spark in confidence they’ve been hoping for. “Lawrence is a good kid. Very, very respectful and always wants to get better,” Assistant coach Tony Lumpkin said. “He’s turned it up a lot the past three games. He’s really ready for it now, he talks about playoffs all the time. He wants his senior season to go his way. He sees what he can do.” Continual encouragement and challenge from his coaches, alongside long-awaited on-court success is enough to give Roval confidence heading into regionals. Definitely more than he’s ever had on the floor, and maybe as much confidence as he has in his cooking. “A lot of these teams don’t have bigs, so it’s my time to shine.” Roval said. “I’m trying to have a double double in every game from now on. I’ve got to put more points up. Handle the ball, reload my shooters, do what I gotta do.”  Jacob Perez poses for the team's photoshoot. Courtesy of Jacob Perez/RCCA Roval’s fellow senior, Jacob Perez, has no interest in cooking. He isn’t torn between two passions. Instead, he’s entranced by just one: basketball.
“I want my future to be basketball.” Perez said. “I have a few schools that are interested in me, places pushing for a new wave--young culture, guys that are hungry.” Often quiet on the stat sheet, Perez is a scrappy and tenacious defender, rebounder and passer. His own description is apt; he's hungry. Despite plenty of shooting ability, Perez is content being the unsung hero. “I'm not focused on scoring. My job is to lock down defensively, give the ball to the next guy in front of me and execute plays, not only for myself but for others.” Perez said. “I'm fine with the other guys scoring 20 and I just have four points, because if it gives us the win, then I get to continue on with my senior year. That’s what every senior wants. It doesn't matter. Every senior doesn't care about scoring every point, it's just about continuing this year and making history for their schools. That’s what I want to do for Clemente.” Perez’s coaches have been emphasizing selfless play since early in the season, but it truly required the reality of the season’s end to drive home their point. Assistant Tony Lumpkin shouts for an extra pass as Perez pivots during practice. Where an errant three would’ve been shot six weeks ago, two extra passes make for an easy layup. If you repeat things often enough, they tend to stick. “It's a different atmosphere here now. The guys really wanna play with each other. You still have a few bumps, but they're really starting to see what they can do, finally.” Lumpkin said. “It’s really started coming together; they see what we want, and you can see the intensity in practice and training. I’m really happy about that.” Lumpkin has been begging his players to step into positions of leadership all season. “Now, especially now with state playoffs coming, it's not about your stats, it's not about getting yours. It's about winning. Do what you need to do to make a run.” Lumpkin said. “Jacob has finally stepped into a leadership role. Last game he didn’t have many points, but he was really talking and playing tough defense. Our senior leaders have been carrying us.” Though both Roval and Perez have a lot to consider come graduation, Clemente's seniors have only focus for now, Saturday's game. The cap and gown, the decisions ahead. They’ll all have to wait. The sole focus is bringing their team a regional championship. One game at a time.
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By Luke Elder David Jones has been a mainstay for DePaul men’s basketball this season, but tends to go unnoticed due to the stardom of guard Javon Freeman-Liberty, the Blue Demons’ leading scorer with a slick playing style. Freeman-Liberty replaced game shorts with sweatpants tonight, fighting a groin injury. This was Jones’ game to shine as the leading man-but his team's first half was not pretty. Though they closed the first period down just one, the Blue Demons were shocked early as Georgetown exploded for an eight-point run in the game's first few minutes. Playing at a borderline out of control pace offensively in the first half, DePaul shot a dismal 34.4% from the floor, and just 18% from outside the arc. It was beginning to look like things may get out of hand. Jones played with constant effort and execution. No matter the circumstance, Jones’ effort is a mainstay. That being said, he’s struggled to score the basketball in the Blue Demons’ last two games, shooting just 2-for-13 from the field against UConn and 5-for-12 versus Xavier. Scoring no more than 10 points in DePaul's last four games, it could be easily argued that there was room for concern.  David Jones celebrates his team's win versus Georgetown. Photo courtesy of Ben Zebrowski There will no longer be any concern after DePaul’s 82-74 win tonight against Georgetown. Undoubtedly overcoming his recent slump (and his team's first-half troubles), Jones recorded his first triple-double tonight (and DePaul’s fourth ever) with a dominant 22 points, 10 assists and 14 rebounds in 37 minutes of action. He was easily the best player on the floor; dominant in finishing ability, and locking down opponents consistently. DePaul fans were quick to question Jones after his recent struggle, but were even quicker to cheer for his successes after tonight’s performance. “Let me say this–you know, even though people say David was struggling, he was still bringing a lot of good things to the table, you know, maybe struggling from an offensive standpoint, but as far as providing leadership, just playing hard, guarding rebounds, he was still doing it. Game in and game out.” Blue Demons head coach Tony Stubblefield said. “The ball wasn't going in the basket as much as he wanted, but you know, he stuck with it. He got in the gym, he continued to work. And you know, this young man has a bright future. He's really a true freshman. Things are only going to get better.”  David Jones dances as he is introduced in tonight's game. Photo courtesy of Ben Zebrowski Truly a player with a work-first mentality, Jones refuses to get a big head over tonight’s triumph. DePaul will face Providence College on Saturday, who wholloped the Blue Demons in their home arena on New Year’s Day, 70-53. Though his contagious, toothy grin shines as he answers questions, Jones mindset is unchanged.
“Same as always. Bring energy.” Jones said. “Keep our team together. We’ve still got a lot of season to go. We’ve got to keep focusing, take it game by game. We can’t let two wins get to our head, we’ve just got to keep working.” "He puts the work in. When you put the work in, the basketball gods will bless you." Coach Stubblefield said. "He's always in the gym working at it. He did a great job of sharing the basketball, making the extra pass and obviously did a good job on the board. 14 rebounds. So proud of his effort as part of our effort tonight." By Luke Elder  Clemente's John Rivera prepares to inbound during a drill alongside head coach Greg Fleming (right) Luke Elder/The Elder Sportsman Shortly after running wind sprints, Clemente forward John Rivera wipes the sweat from his brow, flips his jersey and jumps back into full-court play during a Sunday practice. He shuffles slowly to the line to inbound. Just as he steps on the court, something shifts in his gaze. Like a man possessed, he dives for a loose ball, viciously thrashing it away from two of his teammates before making a great pass from the ground, which leads to an easy layup. The next possession he snatches the ball off the glass, and drives the length of the court to bank a tough shot in traffic. This kid can play, I thought. Rivera wasn’t a highly-touted recruit coming to Clemente, far from it. In fact, head coach Greg Fleming didn’t recruit him at all. He had no idea who he was. “John’s older brother, Jacob (a Clemente senior guard), brought him in over summer workouts,” Fleming said, “he's like coach, I got a little brother in eighth grade that’s coming here. He walks in here with this big kid I'm just like holy ****, this is your little brother?” Assistant coach Tony Lumpkin is very high on Rivera. Often lacking seniority and intensity, Clemente has been in desperate need of a catalyst for change. “John has really stepped into the leader role in games, he’s really caught on to what we're trying to do,” Lumpkin said, “we finally have somebody who is ready and willing to bring the energy that we need for the team.” With Clemete’s first playoff game coming against Foreman on Friday night (Feb. 4), Lumpkin trusts that Rivera is ready to play. “Absolutely. He’s fired up. Last game versus Phoenix he showed me that he is ready to take on all challenges coming towards him now,” Lumpkin said. “John took a charge--we've been trying to get guys to commit to doing it, and he finally did. That's really what changed the momentum of the game, guys were yelling and clapping. John does everything we need him to do. He hits the easy shots he needs to make, plays great defense and is aggressive on rebounds.” "That’s why I’m going to build my team around him.” Rivera was so key to Clemete’s narrow 55-53 victory over Phoenix Military Academy that he was named MaxPreps’ player of the game, scoring nine points alongside seven rebounds, three steals and three blocks. He can do it all. Great attitude is a trait mentioned consistently with those who cross paths with Rivera. “He's a good kid. Good energy. I love John, he’s one of my favorites. Respectful, well mannered, I can’t really ask for anything more than that,” coach Fleming added. “With the young guys we have coming in, John’s energy and mindset will be a tool that’ll help the group transition. It’ll pass down to the other guys. That’s why I’m going to build my team around him.” Assistant Brandon Onuselogu agreed–He thinks Rivera is the hardest worker on the team. “He does a really good job and is very coachable, really tries to learn new things,” Onuselogu said. “He's able to take some feedback and that's what has helped him step up and make plays. He’s been that guy, the one that helps us be more consistent, and has continued to learn.” This is Rivera’s first year of organized basketball. The weight of being both a basketball and varsity rookie? It doesn’t seem like it’s gotten to him. The key is toughness, both mental and physical. John’s coaches say he’s got plenty of both. “Being a freshman playing up against a lot of upperclassmen and still being able to hang tough and be competitive is huge,” coach Onuselogu said. Rivera’s rising stardom has his coaching staff already thinking ahead–Not just for Clemente, but beyond. “I think John could play college ball, definitely,” coach Fleming said. “If he continues his development, getting stronger like he has in the weight room. He’s committed to the work. I don’t think he’s done growing yet either. I’d give him six-foot-five.” “Him being only a freshman, and as good as he is now with so many years to develop, John can definitely be a college basketball player.” Coach Lumpkin said. “John doesn't back down from anyone—he's very coachable—takes in what’s told to him and has all the tangibles plus the skill. That's why we truly believe that he can be a college basketball player.” |
AuthorLuke is a Master's student at DePaul, and a fan of all things sports. Archives
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