Better late than never
Roeser, other Chicago-area products finally back on the court at Lake Forest College
Johnny Roeser’s long journey to prove himself on the court could be nearing its conclusion.
After graduating from Carmel in 2019, Roeser was motivated to make a name for himself at Loras College. But it didn’t work out that way.
“My freshman year at Loras was rocky because I wasn’t ready, and I’ll be the first to admit it was because it was another jump (in competition),” he said.
Shortly after Roeser was forced to leave the Loras campus in Dubuque, Iowa, and return home due to the coronavirus pandemic, he decided to transfer to Lake Forest College in July.
The Lake Forest men’s basketball team is scheduled to open its long-delayed season at Concordia College on Wednesday. The women’s team starts a day earlier with a home game against the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Both teams, which play in Division III, have fewer than 10 games scheduled. But the players are thrilled to have the chance to return to the court, especially after watching many of their friends start playing months ago.
“During these past couple of months, I learned to be grateful to play basketball,” said Roeser, a 6-foot-4 sophomore wing. “I was very surprised that we’re having a season this year, though it’s not an ideal season.”
Lake Forest men’s coach Ken Davis, whose team went 13-13 last season, said the schedule remains tentative but will have at least “five to six games.” The 10-team Midwest Conference
opted not to sponsor a winter season, leaving each school to choose whether to play, Davis said. The Foresters decided to participate, and the men’s team started practicing Feb. 1.
Val Oplchenski, a 6-5 freshman forward from Highland Park, and Hani Ali, a 6-1 freshman guard who graduated from Sandburg, said they took advantage of the extra time.
“I knew it wasn’t under my control, so I used the time to continue improving my game and my body every day so that I can be ready when the time comes,” Ali said. “I took the time very seriously to focus and improve myself and my craft. … Now although it’s abnormal (to play a pandemicshortened season), I’m very grateful to be on the court with my teammates.”
Kurt Kozarits, a Naperville Central graduate and one of just two upperclassmen on the roster, said he stressed the importance of time management to younger teammates. The 6-7 junior forward said finding motivation and energy shouldn’t be a problem for the Foresters.
“We spent a lot of time getting ready, and we’re eager to make the most out of whatever days we have left because we all came here to play the sport we love,” he said. “No matter how many practices, how many games we have, we will make the best out of everything that comes with them.”
Lake Forest women’s coach Tamlyn Tills said her team, which went 13-12 last season, plans to play six games.
Junior guard Maddie Glennon, a Marist graduate, said the Foresters are ready to finally compete against players with different uniforms after starting practice Jan. 21. The women’s team also includes freshman guard Annie Pulaski, a Woodlands Academy graduate from Waukegan.
“I’m ready to play physically and mentally and am looking forward to getting back on the floor and competing with our team,” Glennon said. “My goal for this season is to be a contributor and leader and treat this season as if it was a regular season. As a team, our goal is to compete at a high level and continue to get better.”
Andre Bennett, a 6-0 freshman guard who graduated from Mount Carmel, waited until Jan. 18 to move into the dorms. He said he’s excited for the season to tip off.
“It’s extremely rewarding being given a season, especially amidst all of the chaos everyone has experienced in the past year,” he said.
Frank Siegien, a Glenbrook North graduate, said he is approaching the season with a one-game-at-atime mentality. The 6-6 sophomore forward said the team has readjusted its goals.
“Our new goal this season is to improve defensively as a team and to become better rebounders because crashing the glass was one of our biggest weaknesses last year,” he said. “I’m also stepping into a larger role on the team offensively. … I’ve spent a lot of time this offseason in the weight room, and I’m ready to make it pay off.
“I’m one of the older guys on the roster, so I’ve been doing my best to step up into a leadership role to help some of the younger guys get accustomed to college basketball.”