Sterling effort by Fields
H-F product scores 12 points but Governors State can’t hold off Bethel after 18-day layoff
Senior guard Sterling Fields is used to seeing his role for Governors State fluctuate.
Sometimes, the HomewoodFlossmoor graduate gets big minutes off the bench. Sometimes, he only plays briefly. Occasionally, he gets a start.
No matter what, though, Fields stays prepared for whatever the Jaguars need.
“I have a lot of heart for this team,” he said. “I believe in this team. I always work hard because I want to help us win and I’m confident in what we can do. I always stay ready.”
The 5-foot-7 Fields received a start Wednesday night and delivered with 12 points, but the Jaguars lost 89-77 to Bethel at the ARC inUniversity Park.
DeAndrey Robinson led Governors State (2-3) with 17 points and eight rebounds. T.F. North graduate Tariq Deere scored 12 points, while Morgan Park product Quincy Dillard added nine points and 10 rebounds.
Fields entered thegameaveraging just 2.5 points, but he hit a pair of 3-pointers to spark a strong start for the Jaguars, who jumped to a 17-8 lead and maintained an advantage until Bethel (3-1) used a late run to take a 42-40 halftime lead.
“Sterling has been awesome,” Governors State coachTony Bates said. “He has a 3.7 grade-point average. He’s going to graduate and go to grad school. He always works hard and does all the things we need him to.
“I had to reward him with the start (Wednesday). Right now, I don’t have a set starting lineup. You have towork for that spot. He deserved it and he hit some big shots.”
When Fields was not on the floor, he was the loudest voice in the spectator-less gym, encouraging his teammates fromthe bench.
“That’s always what I’ve done ever since I’ve started basketball,” he said. “I’ve been the guy to cheer the team on. I always try to keep that positive attitude going.
“I try to be a leader academically, vocally, and lead by example by working as hard as I possibly can.”
Robinson scored inside to put the Jaguars up 64-62 with 9:57 to go, but Bethel’s TreVion Crews took over from there. Crews scored 28 points and hit several big shots down the stretch as the Pilots took control.
Free-throw shooting hurt Governors State, which went just 13 for 27 from the line. Bethelwas 25 for 34.
“We need to stop fouling as a team,” Robinson said.“We need to play defense and rebound. Our defense needs to set up our offense. I hurt my team getting in early foul trouble.
“It’s just growing pains right now. We have a young team, we’re still learning, but we’re going to get better as the season progresses.”
The Jaguars faced an 18-day layoff as they had a pair of games canceled due to COVID-19 issues with opponents.
Robinson, though, said the
breakwas no excuse.
“We’re college basketball players,” he said. “We have to be ready.”
As the Jaguars look to make improvements, they know Fields is a player they can rely upon.
He has now played in 97 straight games, going back to his freshman season.
“I’m always ready to put on for my team, always ready to represent, always ready to go out there and try to win basketball games with my teammates,” Fields said. “We’re going to keep working to get better.”