South feels pressure hosting tournament

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CRYSTAL LAKE – For Crystal Lake South boys basketball coach Dan DeBruycker, the question of what’s more difficult, hosting a tournament or coaching, is an easy one – coaching.

The Gators will host 31 teams this weekend at the 20th annual Gary Collins Shootout.

DeBruycker said the most difficult part is trying to coach with all his other responsibilities as host swirling around in his head. He hopes that doesn’t filter down to his players.

“I really have a hard time communicating with the kids when I have so much going on around here,” DeBruycker said. “I want the kids to enjoy the experience of hosting our own shootout.”

South center Tyler Dawson said there’s definitely more pressure as the host school but there are advantages, too, particularly playing in front of home fans.

“I think it gives us more pride to finish as one of the top teams,” Dawson said. “It also gives us a home-court advantage.”

The Gators rode that advantage to a 53-28, first-round win against Round Lake on Friday.

South led, 30-14, at the half, on the strength of five three-pointers by Kevin Rogers. DeBruycker said he is expecting big things out of Rogers, a senior.

Rogers led the area in three-pointers last season.

“[Rogers is] in 10 times better shape than he has been,” DeBruycker said. “He going to have a good season.”

South will have a senior heavy lineup this year, also including Dawson, Colin Stich, Gavin Rubin, Ryan Price and Ethan Breitenstein.

Rogers said he is comfortable with other teams knowing he’s quite accurate from long distance and doesn’t try to force threes.

Having everybody on the team be able to handle the ball lets him get shots in the flow of the game.

“I take what they give me,” Rogers said. “We need more than one person handling the ball. It makes our team a lot better.”

Dawson likes that even as a big man he is looked at to handle and even dribble the ball sometimes.

“I like that my team has confidence in me to get the ball and pass it,” Dawson said.

Basketball in the summer is a lot less structured but DeBruycker said that playing out of control at times lets his players learn to react to broken plays.

From what he has seen this summer, he likes the direction the Gators are going.

“They’re definitely more confident in the style of player we’re looking for,” DeBruycker said. “They’re not reacting to a pass, they’re anticipating it.”

How well the Gators play next season won’t be decided in the summer, but Dawson said the team is gaining confidence and has high hopes.

“Our main goal is [winning the Fox Valley] Conference,” Dawson said. “I could see us going as far as supersectionals.”