A recent lineup shakeup at Evergreen Park, which has just seven active players, has opened up some opportunities.
Junior guard Lenear Bolden is one who has taken advantage.
Evergreen Park coach Jim Sexton likes the energy Bolden brings to the team especially in critical points of the game.
“His play really determines sometimes us winning or losing,” Sexton said. “We need his energy. He’s the missing piece for sure.”
Bolden sparked several big runs for the Mustangs while ending runs by Shepard in the Mustangs’ 76-68 road win on Feb. 14.
Bolden finished with 19 points — including five 3-pointers — with five rebounds, four assists, and three steals. He’s becoming more of a threat offensively, but his play on the other end is a source of pride as well.
“I love defense,” Bolden said. “And if my team needs a stop, I am going to do whatever it takes to get the ball.”
“He’s really one of our go-getters up and down the floor when we play our full-court defense. So we need that,” Sexton said. “He gets in passing lanes and he really creates a lot of things in the full-court.”
Bolden feels more and more in the flow every game.
“I’m learning and I am adapting to the game, but I like getting my teammates involved,” Bolden said. “They’ve been getting me involved by setting screens, talking to me and keeping my head in the game and keeping me on a straight path.”
Senior guard Keshaun Vaval had a team-high 23 points with eight assists and two steals. Earlier in the week against Hinsdale South, Vaval scored 31 points. He passed 1,000 points at Evergreen Park and has almost 1,500 for his high school career.
Fellow senior Corey Waterford had 15 points, including five 3-pointers, against Shepard.
The Mustangs (13-15, 6-6 South Suburban Red) struggled in January, going 3-8, but started 4-1 in February.
“It’s been tough down the (stretch) run, but we all stayed together,” Bolden said. “We are showing it on the court.”
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