No. 4 on the floor
Senior Kaden White, wearing the same number as his father, scores 19 points as Marist downs Marian Catholic
Kaden White started his high school career at De La Salle, but the desire to carry on a family legacy lured him to Marist for his junior year.
White’s father, Kyle, starred for the RedHawks before playing at Wayne State.
“We decided to transfer here because he knew how good of a school it is,” White said of playing for his dad’s alma mater. “I just want to carry on what he did. I wear his No. 4.
“It’s important for me to do well for him as well as myself. He puts just as much into this as I do, if not more.”
Now a senior guard, White has emerged as a lights-out shooter and big-time scorer for Marist.
White showed that off again Friday night, scoring 19 points to lift the host RedHawks to a 62-56 East Suburban Catholic Conference victory over Marian Catholic.
White also had seven rebounds for Marist (17-4, 6-2). Keshaun Vaval added 11 points, while Adoni Vassilakis and Mason Ross contributed 10 points apiece.
Cal Poly recruit Quentin Jones led Marian Catholic (13-6, 4-4) with 19 points and seven rebounds. Donovan Juzang scored 14 points.
White, who buried four 3-pointers, believes he can be one of the state’s top shooters. That confidence comes from all the hard work he and his father have done over the years.
“I’ve been shooting since I can remember,” White said. “I rely on my shot a lot and I take a lot of pride in it.
“My dad has been on me all along. He’s coached me my whole life. He’s helped me with my shot. We’ve spent so much time on it.”
Marist coach Brian Hynes knows White can shoot. What he’s been most impressed with this season has been White’s all-around development.
“We keep telling him, ‘You’re more than a 3-point shooter,’ ” Hynes said. “Now he’s taking people off the dribble, he’s creating stuff. The more attention he draws, because everyone knows about him now, he’s opening up spots for others and he’s passing well.
“The biggest difference for him this year, though, is his defense. And I think he’s second on our team in rebounding. He’s made an enormous jump.”
White has been a strong role model for Marist’s young stars. Vaval is a sophomore who transferred from Romeoville. Vassilakis is a freshman.
“Kaden is a senior leader and he’s helping me get better,” Vaval said. “I just love that I get to be a part of this team and he’s making me a better player.
“He’s showing me better ways to shoot, how to prep for games, how to be a leader, how to talk, how to work out better. Just everything.”
Vaval scored nine points in the fourth quarter, including a huge 3-pointer after the Spartans closed within 46-41 with just over four minutes to go.
After digging into a 30-19 halftime hole, Marian Catholic got as close as three points in the third quarter but could not complete the rally.
“I think Marist played harder, smarter and with more poise,” Marian Catholic coach Mike Taylor said. “They came out with aggressiveness and threw the first couple punches, and we waited a long time to respond.
“It’s a bad night for our three seniors to not be in sync. They fought, but they never should have put themselves in that position. We lost it in every possible way you could lose.”
White and the RedHawks, meanwhile, keep finding ways to win.
“I’ve definitely found my home here,” White said. “My coaching staff and teammates all love me and I love them. I’m way more comfortable this year.”