Prospect senior David Swedura attempted to downplay the significance of his two-game scoring rampage to wrap up the Wheeling Hardwood Classic in late December.
No big deal, just a ho-hum performance for the team-oriented Swedura.
“I’ve had many 20-point games (besides) those two,” he said.
After some significant prodding, Swedura finally admitted his 28-point showing against Niles North and his career-high 41-point outburst against Waukegan were special games. Swedura, a point guard, canned six 3-pointers against the Bulldogs and was named to the all-tournament team.
After beating Maine West and Geneva to open the tournament, the Knights fell to Niles North and Waukegan and finished fourth. Niles North won the tournament.
“The (Waukegan) game, I kind of had it going that night, got to the rim a good amount and my teammates got me in the spot where I could really score and try and get us back in the game,” Swedura said.
“Both Waukegan and Niles North had elite defenders and both teams could really score the ball. We played our game and made sure we focused and executed.”
Swedura, the only returning starter from last season’s team, gravitated toward handling an increased scoring role while trying to spread the wealth and make his teammates more effective.
The results, so far, have been better than expected. Paced by Swedura, the Knights (10-4, 4-0 Mid-Suburban East as of Tuesday) are on track for another 20-win season. After averaging 11 points per game last season, Swedura is now pouring in 19.3 per contest.
Prospect coach John Camardella said he was impressed by Swedura’s high-scoring games against two of the top teams in the Chicago area, but those were only part of the numbers.
“He played 64 minutes, never came off the floor and had two turnovers and had the ball a lot for us in those two games,” Camardella said. “A bunch of colleges started calling and are now interested. He’s really been incredible this year.
“He’s been extremely consistent this year. He’s the most athletic guard that I’ve had in my career at Prospect. He’s a high-level athlete. Those games that are high-level athletic games, he thrives in.”
As of Tuesday, Swedura had 842 career points and is on pace to eclipse 1,000 points by the end of the season. He said he is focused on becoming a complete player and helping the Knights win their ninth MSL East title in the last 11 years.
“I’m really trying to do what I can each game, even if it’s not a scoring night,” Swedura said. “If denied, I can space the floor and help my teammates score.”
The Lions’ nice view
St. Viator started 2018 in prime position: atop the East Suburban Catholic Conference.
The Lions (12-4, 3-0) lost a close game to Loyola on Monday before embarking on a part of their schedule that features many ESCC games.
Peter Lambesis scored 20 points, Jeremiah Hernandez added 15 and Connor Kochera tallied 10 in a 72-51 win against Marian Central on Friday. The Lions lost to Maine West in the consolation championship of the Wheeling Hardwood Classic. Hernandez was named to the all-tournament team.
“We’re playing really well and receiving contributions from a lot of players,” St. Viator coach Quin Hayes said. “We had a strong start and have built off that.”
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press
