More than just the 'Big Three'

Lesser-known Tomcats looking to find niches

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November 29, 2009

By JIM OWCZARSKI jowczarski@scn1.com

The East side has been in need of a wake-up call on the basketball court the last two seasons, as both have ended without so much as a regional championship.

That call has come, and there is definitely something special percolating at East. The beans were officially dropped in the filter on Friday night in an overtime loss to Hales Franciscan. It was in the play of Keanu McGhee and several others as the "Big Three" -- Ryan Boatright, Snoop Viser and Tramell Weathersby -- had fouled out.

Tomcats coach Wendell Jeffries noted that early in the St. Charles East Thanksgiving Tournament, including early in the Hales game, the Big Three had not necessarily trusted McGhee, senior transfer Andrew Fischer, reserve Gio Padilla or some of the other inexperienced Tomcats in game situations.

But in overtime, the Big Three had to -- they were all East had.

That led into Saturday night's 61-46 victory over St. Charles North (2-2), where water was added.

"Everybody was probably like 'What's happening?' but I knew," Jeffries said. "I'd seen how they were making that little extra pass and they were trying to get the other guys (involved) and getting it to them. They got their hands on some interior passes where normally a couple of the guys would have shot the ball. That's good."

Despite that next step, the machine wasn't turned on. The Big Three totaled 44 of the Tomcats points.

You can see what is coming though.

Boatright (24 points, 7 steals, 5 assists), Viser (9 points) and Weathersby (11 points) tried to find their teammates as the North Stars sat in a 2-3 zone. It was awkward. Everyone involved seemed unsure of themselves. Spacing wasn't right and turnovers ensued.

"Our zone offense is designed for the big men," Boatright said. "They just have to learn their rotations to make it quicker. We were going too slow. Once they learn the rotations and move a lot faster, it's going to be a lot better."

This led to a slow first half in which the North Stars led after one quarter and were one possession out of the lead until about a minute left in the half. After making adjustments to counter the zone at the break, East eventually pulled away to win easily.

While Keanu McGhee (4 points, 4 rebounds) and Fischer (2 steals) seemed to have little effect Saturday, how quickly the big men develop could make East (3-1) a legitimate contender for a state appearance.

McGhee is absurdly athletic and instinctive. Fischer is heady and has good hands. Both are assets on defense.

"We're trying to fit them in a game at a time," Boatright said. "They're going to come around."

The Tomcats are solid throughout the roster, as Padilla, Lorico Washington and Domonique Johnson are good enough to give Viser or Boatright breathers while Larry Reynolds, Adrian Ramirez, Tom Okapal and Keenan McGhee provide depth inside.

East just needs time to determine roles, and find a rhythm on offense with the Big Three.

When they do?

"We're going to be really exciting," Boatright said.