Ryan Ostry
Bugle Reporter
@RyanOstry_BR18
rostry@buglenewspapers.com
With every team, every year, there’s always optimism at the beginning of the season.
Whether that is because of one player, a collection of players or a phenomenal coach.
For the young Joliet West Tigers boys basketball team (2-5, 0-1), the optimism is because of sophomore guard Trent Howland.
Trent Howland (4) and Jamere Hill (12) discuss foul against Naperville North. (Photo by Ryan Ostry)
The two-sport athlete, who stars as a running back for Mike Lechs Tiger football team, has no finesse in his veins.
“There’s so many expectations with him because he has played with us on Varsity, been so successful and by the size of his body you would never be able to tell he’s only a sophomore,” said Nick DiForti, West head coach.
Howland, who just turned 15 years of age on Aug. 11, resembles a smaller version of Zion Williamson.
The 6-foot-3 inch 210-pound powerful wide shouldered guard, not only plays a majority of minutes on the basketball team, but starts as well.
Last Tuesday night, against the Naperville North Huskies, Howland had the challenge of defending 6-foot-8 inch Loyola Ramblers commit Thomas Welch most of the night.
Although West got off to a hot start leading the Huskies 12-10 after the first quarter, the Tigers quickly saw their lead evaporate being outscored 41-18 in the three final quarters of play.
Welch led the Huskies to a 51-30 victory over the young Tigers who have four sophomores on their roster, however Howland’s physicality and perseverance was notable, making Welch put up tough shots all night long and having to deal with the tenacity and toughness Howland plays with as well.
Howland did not match his career high of 25 points Tuesday night, but he still put up nine points on 3-for-5 shooting, however, it was his effort on loose balls, rebounds and driving to the basket with force on transition plays that stuck out.
“I try and push myself harder than anybody else will push me,” Howland said. “I want to play fast, play with very high energy and I always have the mindset to push the ball up the floor and drive to the basket.”
Even though Howland is not the most vocal leader in the world, he and DiForti both said there are other ways he shows leadership and mentors players.
“[Trent] and I have a great relationship, we always hug before games and he just carries himself very well and with a lot of class,” DiForti said. “There’s never any problems with his grades, he’s just such a good kid, I love him to death.”
In the maturation process becoming a leader on his ball club, Howland payed respect to his predecessor, junior guard Jamere Hill, who has taken Howland under his wing.
“I’ll be honest, I’m not all the way there yet,” Howland said. “I will be though, and having guys like our other point guard Jamere Hill who is helping me and coaching me to be the leader I want to be, helps me out a lot.”
Howland and the Tigers will have plenty of work to do coming up, with 10 games remaining on their schedule to compete for a South West Prairie Conference title.