Boys basketball notes: Crystal Lake South recognizes former girls and boys coaches on special night

Crystal Lake South has had six girls and five boys varsity basketball coaches in its history, a relatively low number for a school in its 43rd year of existence.

Eight of those 11 were in attendance, and the only deceased coach was represented by his son, last Friday when Gators athletic director Jason Bott scheduled a night of recognition.

The ceremony took place between the Crystal Lake Central vs. Crystal Lake South girls and boys basketball games. Each coach was given a piece of the old gym floor, which was replaced last summer, with the Gators logo and “Thanks for your service and dedication to the Crystal Lake South (girls or boys) program” engraved.

Former girls coaches Bill Butkus and Kyle McCaughn, along with current coach Mark Mucha were there. All five South boys coaches attended: Gary Collins, Steve Olson, Marty Dello, Dan DeBruycker and current coach Matt LePage. Kevin Gerlach, who worked as South’s athletic trainer for 26 years, also was honored.

Jim Goodwin, the son of Ed Goodwin, the girls basketball when South opened in the fall of 1978, attended the ceremony to represent his father. Ed Goodwin died a year ago at age 94. Former coaches Scott Beutlich and Frank Benedetto were out of state and could not attend.

“When we got the gym redone, I was thinking about saving some of the floor pieces for our fundraisers at golf outings and stuff,” Bott said. “I got to thinking it would be really cool to give this to all the old coaches that we’ve had in volleyball and basketball that have played on those floors.”

The floor had been refinished multiple times, but was the original floor. Bott had the South woods class, with teacher Ryan Felz, prepare the pieces of floor that the construction company saved. The pieces were sanded down, the logos painted on and the laser engraver was used to put the words on.

“I was so impressed with all the kids being able to do that project,” Bott said.

Bott had a night for volleyball coaches during the fall, so Friday was basketball’s turn. Bott said Collins, who coached South for the first 20 years, then had another two-year stint before DeBruycker took over, was instrumental in getting the former coaches back for the ceremony.

“It was really cool to talk to the coaches I’d never met,” Bott said. “I’d never met Bill Butkus. It was great that Jim Goodwin was here for Ed. It turned out to be a really awesome night.”

Big shot: So far, the shot of the season might be the 3-pointer McHenry forward Anthony Fowler made at the buzzer Saturday to force overtime in the Warriors’ 58-52 win over Woodstock North.

While the play did not work like the Warriors drew it up, Fowler hit a fadeaway 3 from 4 feet behind the arc that swished through to tie the score.

“He’s been absolutely huge for us with a young team,” Warriors coach Chris Madson said. “I couldn’t be happier for him. It was a huge shot. I never really understood giving it to an off player and using your best player as a decoy. He’s averaging 20, 21 points a game. We want him to have the ball.”

Fowler, a 6-foot-1 senior lefty, had a talk last week with former McHenry guard Gavin Markgraff about leading the team. Markgraff was a three-year starter who now plays at NCAA Division III Illinois Wesleyan.

“We’re leaning on (Fowler) hard,” Madson said. “Teams are taking him away, he’s learning how to play with double teams. I had Gavin Markgraff call him the other day to talk him through what it’s like being the (main) guy.”

Open range: Huntley guard Ben Ahmer is likely to let if fly from well beyond the 3-point arc if it feels right. And Red Raiders coach Will Benson will not object.

“His light is green when he walks in the gym,” Benson said. “He practices (deep shots) all the time, from distance, off the dribble. It might not look like a good shot for some guys, but he knows and I know he practices it. He has the green light for sure.”

Ahmer scored 20 points and hit four 3s in the Raiders’ 56-35 win at Cary-Grove on Wednesday. Two of his 3s came from about 26 or 27 feet.

Benson joked that he hit one from Fox RIver Grove.

“One thing I worked on the last year or so is my range,” Ahmer said. “Coach has confidence in me to shoot it from that far. It’s just stepping in and shooting with confidence.”

Jacobs’ bright spot: Jacobs is missing its best player, Nick McCoy, and its tallest player, 6-6 sophomore Grant Stec, with injuries and is 1-7.

Golden Eagles coach Jimmy Roberts expects McCoy back in a couple weeks and Stec back in January. And senior guard Isiah Jackson showed Jacobs something to be excited about with a 26-point performance on Friday.

Jackson has been with the program since his sophomore year when he transferred from Huntley. But this is his first varsity season.

“Isiah had some growing up to do,” Roberts said. “He had some things we had to deal with because of poor decisions he made. We stuck with him and he stuck with us and we had some really good people in our program that committed to helping him.

“He’s been able to stay in our program and, more than anything, he’s become a pretty good young man, which has afforded him an opportunity to play.”

Jackson was electric in the Eagles’ loss to Huntley, blowing by defenders for layups and hitting 3s.

“I just want to get some wins, more wins, team wins together,” he said. “And see how far we can get.”