By Mark Gregory
Sports Editor
@Hear_The_Beard
mark@buglenewspapers.com
Last season, Bolingbrook made its second trip to the IHSA state finals, placing third for the second time in four years.
Gone from last year’s team are Malik Binns and Voyager Media Player of the Nana Akenten, however, the cupboard is not empty for Rob Brost’s Raiders.
Bolingbrook brings back a plethora of guards, led by senior Kaleb Thornton and juniors Tyler Cochran and Joseph Yesufu.
The trio accounted for 43.5 percent of the Raiders’ scoring last season.
“Everyone talks about those three, but you have to throw Demari Grant, Isaiah Clemons and Jordan Myrick as well,” Brost said. “Obviously Joseph, Tyler and Kaleb get all the publicity – and rightfully so – but the combination of all six of them is really hard to deal with over a 32-minute time span.
“It is a luxury that few coaches have and we are fortunate to have developed these guys. They are one of the top groups in the state and they have worked hard individually to get better.”
With Akenten and Binns gone, Brost said the conversation of who will take over that scoring void.
“Every team is different and I think it is more of a leadership thing rather than it is who is going to score the points,” Brost said. “We just talk about sharing the ball and playing the right way. We never talk about who is going to score what and who is going to do what on what night. We are 4-0 and have had four different leading scorers. Against Andrew, Kaleb led us with 20 points, but in the game before that he had single digits, but nine assists. We just take what the game gives us and what the team needs you to do that particular night and you play right. We just talk about playing right, sharing the ball and being a good teammate and that’s where it stops.
“It is refreshing when you see young men playing correctly and that is what I am most proud of within our program.”
Taking over the spot in the paint has been 6-foot, 7-inch Danny Saracco, transfer from Plainfield South.
“Having Joey helps us on the glass and he plays so hard,” Brost said. “The speed is a little bit of an adjustment from where he came from. He is a great kid and has really helped us out. This year’s team is coming together as we go here.”
Like they did last season, the Raiders are concerned about the win and not about the stats, which a way that will lead to victories.
“We are sharing the ball and doing things collectively that makes it hard if you are an opponent,” Brost said.
The Raiders aren’t the only Valley View School District team to have a hot start, as Romeoville won the WJOL Thanksgiving Classic.
The two Valley View teams meet up Dec. 13 in Romeoville.
“They have a ton of talent and whenever you have a ton of talent, you have a chance to win a lot of games,” Brost said of the Spartans. “They are going to pose a challenge to us that we haven’t seen yet at this point in the season.”