Guarded optimism at St. Viator
When the basketball season begins, the debates heat up. And when the conversation turns to the area’s top perimeter attacks, there will be plenty of choices, starting in the Public League.
The addition of DJ Steward at Young to pair with fellow junior Tyler Beard gives the Dolphins a potent 1-2 punch.
Morgan Park, which mass-produces highlevel guards, is at it again with Adam Miller, the state’s top-ranked junior prospect, junior Marcus Watson and Lincoln Park transfer Chris Roberts.
In the suburbs, Bolingbrook has a pair of Division I guards in Joseph Yesufu (Drake) and Tyler Cochran (NIU).
Then there is the talented and productive, yet oft-overlooked, tandem of Jeremiah Hernandez and Treyvon Calvin at St. Viator.
The duo led St. Viator to 24 wins and a perfect record in the East Suburban Catholic Conference while averaging 32 points combined. The Lions will be favored again in the ESCC and likely will be ranked in the preseason top 25.
Even with D-I scholarships, Calvin and Hernandez both feel the sting of being overlooked.
“Every day,” said Hernandez, when asked if he thinks about the lack of notoriety. “Every single day. We don’t think we receive the respect we deserve. We want to show people suburban kids can play and compete against city kids.
“We know we didn’t play on the EYBL circuit and don’t play at a program like Young or Simeon, but we aren’t scared to play against the best.”
Calvin, a 6-0 point guard, filled the stat sheet and shot 44 percent from the threepoint line last season. He then put an exclamation point on the season by winning the Class 4A three-point shootout in March. But the recruiting interest and fanfare were slow to come by.
“We are definitely underrated,” said Calvin, who last week committed to Wright State. “I do believe we have the best backcourt in the state. But that lack of attention motivates us, makes us work harder to prove the doubters wrong.”
Hernandez will choose between Kent State and Drake next week.
With recruiting behind them, their attention turns to leading St. Viator to bigger and better things this season. They head into their senior year with significant goals and a chip on their shoulder.
“We want to win state, that’s our goal,” Calvin said.
Hernandez, the smooth 6-4 jack-of-alltrades guard, likes his team’s chances, especially considering the Lions will be moving from Class 4A to Class 3A.
“Trey and I talk about way more than just a league title,” Hernandez said. “We want to get to Peoria.”
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