Williamsville high school basketball is young, but experience is elevating expectations
CARLINVILLE — Hunter Riley is the lone senior among the Williamsville basketball rotation full of juniors and sophomores. But that doesn't make him alone in experience.
The Bullets return all five starters from their spring, COVID-19-shortened season. There is plenty of hope at Williamsville for this season after that group finished 9-5 overall and 5-4 in the Sangamo Conference.
On Friday, Riley and the Bullets showed why their expectations have been elevated with a 51-26 nonconference win over Carlinville at the Big House on Friday.
Riley finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds, including seven offensive boards.
“This was the first away game we’ve had with fans for a little while … so it was big,” Riley said. “I think we came out slow tonight, but we got better as the game went on.”
Ty Beck, one of four junior starters for the Bullets (2-0), finished with 10 points.
Carlinville senior Ethen Siglock led the Cavaliers (1-2) with 10 points.
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Stingy on defense, patient on offense
Williamsville limited Carlinville to 26% shooting (8 of 31 overall) and 23% from behind the 3-point line (3-for-13).
“We gave up (10) in the first quarter and they banked in one 3 and we didn’t get out and close out on No. 3 and that was six of (Carlinville’s first-quarter points),” Williamsville coach Nick Beard said. “After that, we locked in and only gave up 14 the next three quarters. If we do that on any given night, we’ll at least give ourselves a chance. I don’t know if we’ll win every night, but we’ll give ourselves a chance every night if we hold teams under 30.”
Siglock knocked down a baseline jumper early in the second period to pull the Cavaliers into a 12-12 tie.
After that, it was all Williamsville.
Jake Seman, a junior, scored five points to spark the Bullets’ 11-3 push to grab a 23-15 halftime lead.
Beck finished the half with the Bullets’ final five. Meanwhile, Carlinville was 2-for-9 in the period and watched the game slip away.
“Coach Beard is very big on defense,” Beck said.
On offense, the team runs through its set. It isn’t uncommon for the ball to find its way into the hands of all five Williamsville player, sometimes multiple times, on the same possession.
“We talked about shot selection … and patience is a strength of ours and we feel that can be a huge advantage for us,” Beard said, “Make teams play defense for 30, 45 seconds, wear them down and get them to break down.
“We’re not going to shoot it well every night, but defense travels and it definitely did tonight.”
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Experienced and ready
The pandemic meant nearly half a season of games were not played last school year. Instead of complaining about what was lost, Beard and his players are praising what they had: an opportunity to play against several senior-laden teams in the Sangamo Conference and learn from those lumps.
There weren’t many lumps with a team which finished four games over .500.
“I think we shocked a lot of teams last year,” Beck said. “We had a good conference last year with PORTA, Auburn, Riverton and (Pleasant) Plains all having good senior teams. I think that gave us a lot of experience this year. That should help us out a long run.”
Last season, gymnasiums across the state were limited in seating capacity to allow for social distancing during games. With no such precautions in place, schools are free to pack the bleachers.
Beard said that poses a new challenge.
“For a lot of these guys, this is the first road game they’ve played in front of fans,” Beard said. “I think we saw (the effect of that) early on: we were a little jittery, we let the nerves get to us, we missed some shots we normally make, we turned the ball over.
“Just getting accustomed to that and playing in front of fans and the environment and the atmosphere. I’m glad we got this one under our belt; we go to Monticello, we go to Plains next week.”
Man in the middle
Riley will be a big factor for the Bullets.
Riley, a 6-foot, 220-pound center may not have the sheer height advantage, but he used his strength to keep taller Cavaliers players off the glass and out of the paint on Friday.
He scored six points in each the first and third quarters and had four of his seven offensive boards in the third.
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“He’s obviously a focal point for us and if you ask the boys, that’s what we talk about,” Beard said of Riley. “We have to play through him. He doesn’t necessarily have to score it every time, but we want him to touch the ball and he’s going to gain a lot of attraction down there.
“He’s working on passing it out of it a little bit better and when the shot goes up, he’s going after every rebound.”
Riley said the team has changed its strategy when players try to let him know they’re willing and ready to take a pass.
“Whenever I get doubled, I try to kick it out as much as I can,” Riley said. “Last year, we clapped and now they’re screaming my name so I will hear them better.”
Riley isn’t afforded the same luxury as his teammates of next season. If he’s going to help the Bullets make an extended postseason run, he gets just one shot. He also believes that opportunity is available.
“Last year, I think it was big that we can all come back this year,” Riley said. “Everybody coming back makes a big difference.”
Contact Ryan Mahan: 857-246-9756, ryan.mahan@sj-r.com, Twitter.com/RyanMahanSJR.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: IHSA basketball: Williamsville boys go on road, beatsCarlinville high
