Richards senior KaJuan Wines vividly remembers the play from last February.
The 5-foot-11 guard was driving to the basket when two Shepard defenders converged, sending Wines awkwardly to the floor.
His left wrist took the brunt of the nasty fall.
“I was in so much pain,” Wines said. “I knew my wrist was broke. It looked nasty.”
Wines’ diagnosis was correct — his wrist was broken. And as it turned out, so were the Bulldogs’ dreams of a Class 4A postseason run.
A key component to Richards’ attack, Wines missed the rest of the season. Without him, the Bulldogs suffered a first-round playoff loss to Thornwood.
“It was tough to replace a guy who was averaging 17 points,” Richards coach Chris Passafiume said.
Even tougher for Wines was having to sit and watch his teammates.
“I was mad for our seniors,” he said. “I remember seeing them crying. I don’t want that feeling. We’re very determined to go on a playoff run. But we have other things we want to accomplish first.”
Nearly a year later, Wines has been making up for lost time.
He’s averaging 18.5 points and remains fearless driving to the basket. His jump shot has improved, according to Passafiume.
“KaJuan is the type of kid who leads by example,” Passafiume said. “He lets his game do the talking. He’ll get a look in his eye where he just refuses to lose.
“He’s definitely a more confident shooter. He trusts himself to make the big shot.”
Wines and fellow senior Albert Jones, who averages 15.8 points and 13 rebounds, will need to make a few big shots Friday night when Richards (13-5, 7-1) travels to rival Oak Lawn (15-5, 5-2) in a South Suburban Blue showdown.
The environment is always intense, but with both teams enjoying outstanding seasons and the conference championship in the mix, the atmosphere Friday promises to be even more electric.
“Every time I think about that game I get so excited,” Wines said. “We don’t want Oak Lawn to win conference. I can’t wait for the game.”
Youth movement: After his team started the season with seven straight losses and he had a few veteran players not adhering to team rules, Rich Central coach Cornelius Crossley came to a conclusion.
It was time to commit to a youth movement.
Crossley promoted five sophomores just before the Rich South Big Dipper Tournament at Christmas. Three of those sophomores are starting.
The Olympians (6-13, 3-4) are .500 in their last 12 games.
“We’re still trying to find our identity,” Crossley said. “We’re going through some growing pains. We’re not where we need to be, but we’re going to keep on working.”
Junior Rasean McMiller, a transfer from Thornwood, has been a big addition. The 6-2 guard is averaging 18.5 points.
Sophomores Antonio McCann and Kevin Vasser Jr. have shown promise.
Crossley hopes the Olympians continue to develop by the beginning of the Class 3A playoffs and then can surprise a few teams.
“There are times where we look like a team full of seniors,” Crossley said. “Then there are times where we show our youth. But the sophomore class is one of the best I’ve had. There’s a lot of potential. It’s exciting.”
Did you know? Rich South graduate Malik Osborne is averaging 6.3 points and 5.1 rebounds for Florida State (16-2), ranked No. 5 in the country by the Associated Press. Osborne, a 6-9 redshirt sophomore, is shooting 48% from the field and 70% from the free-throw line.
