Joliet Township hoops building excitement

MORRIS -- To say Joliet Township High School boys basketball coach Luke Yaklich is looking forward to the winter season would be an understatement.

He is not predicting a state championship or anything of that sort at this juncture.

Sure, his team should be decent, but that is not the main reason for his positive feeling. What has transpired this summer, what he has learned about his team, now we're talking.

"This has been an outstanding summer in terms of team and individual development," Yaklich said during this week's 24th annual Morris Boys Shootout. "This is one of the best summers I have had since I have been in coaching. The work ethic of the players has led to improved skills, which has made for a solid summer."

The Steelmen finished 19-8 last season, losing to Bloom 40-39 in a regional final. Graduation claimed point guard Wesley Powell and swing man Jamell Tyson, among others.

But there is talent returning, the list headed by 6-foot-6 senior Anthony Shoemaker.

Shoemaker missed Day 1 of the Morris Shootout with a minor back problem that had kept him off the court for a couple of weeks, but he gave it a go the final day. He also has made the cut for an All-America camp in Philadelphia beginning Monday, one of only five players from Illinois to qualify for the camp.

"I went to a showcase in Chicago, a tryout," Shoemaker said. "I played well enough there that they invited me to Philadelphia."

Shoemaker said his back is no big deal at this point.

"What I guess it was is I've been drinking too much pop and not enough water this summer," he said. "So, I'll drink more water."

Overall, Shoemaker said, all is well with the Steelmen as they prepare for their final season as a combined program. Beginning in 2010-2011, Central and West each will have a varsity team.

"My teammates have been playing well this summer, and my confidence is good," Shoemaker said. "The one thing I really want is to get downstate once. I think we have a team that can do it. I like our team a lot."

Shoemaker also will spend his senior year making a push toward a Division I scholarship, meaning hard work in the classroom and on the court.

"I am going to summer school, trying to get my academics up," he said. "I'm looking to play at a Division I school."

"Grade-wise, 'Shoe' has to take care of business senior year," Yaklich said. "He is attracting a lot of interest from a lot of schools in big conferences, and I expect that to continue."

Shoemaker averaged 12.7 points and 5.2 rebounds last season, when he shot .488 from the field, .328 from 3-point range and .576 from the free throw line.

He can score from anywhere on the court and punctuates his game with the occasional highlight-reel flying dunk.

"From sophomore year to now, 'Shoe' has matured in terms of his work ethic, his coachability and his communication skills," Yaklich said. "He should be able to take the leadership on our team, have them play hard around him and make them better.

"He has had a solid AAU spring season, and making that All-America camp in Philadelphia, where only five from Illinois were invited, that says a lot. He hopefully will have a good July and will be poised for a breakout season."

Of course, a breakout season from Shoemaker is more likely if his teammates also step up their games. Yaklich has a feeling that will happen.

"I think we will look to get out and run more this year," Yaklich said. "We will play a very fast, up-tempo style built on defensive pressure and our fast break. This year's group has a variety of guys who can dribble, pass and shoot. We have versatility with this group, and we want to use it."

Yaklich cited junior guard Remy Roberts, who split time between the sophomore and varsity levels last season, and junior guard Darius Norris.

"Remy Roberts, wait until you see him," Yaklich said. "He has taken his game to another level entirely.

"And Darius Norris has really had a surprising and consistent summer."

The inside game for the Steelmen will feature some combination of 6-4 junior Brandon Tyson, 6-2 junior Keyon Smith, 6-3 senior Danny Wright and 6-3 senior Justin Rouser.

"All of those guys do a consistent job playing their roles," Yaklich said.

The coach cannot wait for the winter.

"I like the potential for growth of this group," Yaklich said. "And their competitiveness and coachability is unique. This will be a team that I really want to coach. The chemistry has been great."

Come November, the Steelmen feel they will need to be ready.

"Our schedule is a bear," Yaklich said. "It's the toughest it has been.

"The last two years we played our best basketball at the end. That has not transferred to a deep run in March yet, but I feel it's coming."