MR. EVERYTHING
Kent State recruit Rollins led Hillcrest to 13-0 record in abbreviated season
Hillcrest’s Julius Rollins made it all look easy this season.
At times, too easy. Three-pointers? Nothing but net. Drives to the basket? Two points. Setting the table for teammates? Like a waiter.
Defending a top player? Bring it on. Whether it was producing points, hooking up his teammates for baskets or playing lockdown defense, the 6-foot-6 senior forward had an uncanny ability to produce.
Rollins, the 2020-21 Daily Southtown Boys Basketball Player of the Year, was an unstoppable force on both ends of the court while leading Hillcrest to a perfect 13-0 season.
“Rollins is a monster,” Richards coach Chris Passafiume said. “He’s so versatile. He can impact a game in so many ways. He’s very, very special.”
No one knows that better than Don Houston, who coached Rollins at Hillcrest for three seasons.
“Besides everything he can do on the court, he also accepts every challenge,” Houston said. “When we’re playing a team with an all-area or all-state caliber player, Julius requests to guard that player. He wants that challenge.
“He’ll put the team on his back and step up. He’s one of the best players I’ve ever coached.”
Considering all the remarkable players Houston has had on his roster over the years, that’s the highest of praise. But it’s also deserving. Rollins averaged 17.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists this season. The numbers could have been larger.
On a team full of stars, however, Rollins was more than willing to share the spotlight.
His impact for the Hawks was felt beyond the stat sheet. He was a leader, both vocally and by example.
When he missed some time with a hamstring injury early in the season, teammates stressed the large hole that Rollins’ absence created, according to senior forward Hamahrie Bowers.
“He brings so much to the team,” Bowers said of Rollins. “He can score and rebound and defend. But he also brings energy all of the time. That gets us going. He’s so important to our success.”
There’s much to admire about Rollins’ exploits on offense. The biggest difference from this season to past years was his ability to hit 3-pointers.
“I worked a ton on my shooting,” Rollins said. “I think I showed a lot of improvement. I’m very confident stepping outside the 3-point line.”
Rollins also is confident he’s ready to make his mark next season at Kent State, in no small part to the influence of Houston and Hillcrest.
“Coach Houston has had a huge impact on me on and off the court,” Rollins said. “I can call him at any time, any day, and he’s always there for you. One of the things he always says is to ‘not take the fun for granted.’ I left it all on the court when I stepped out.
“I had a lot of fun at Hillcrest. You might hear some negative things about the school, but it’s a family and we’re there for each other. I’m glad I’ve been a part of that. It’s prepared me for my future.”
Rollins would have liked nothing more than to win a Class 3A state championship for his “family.” But the Illinois High School Association eliminated the postseason for winter sports due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Still, Rollins is grateful about the chance for Hillcrest to play even a limited schedule.
“This was definitely our year,” he said. “A lot of people knew it. I think about it every day. What if the coronavirus didn’t happen? It eats me up sometimes.
“But we set a goal to go undefeated and we did it. To me, we’ll always be state champions.”