Beachum becomes all-around force for Lemont
Forward scores 10 of his 16 points in the third quarter in victory against Evergreen Park
Timing is everything. Nobody knows that more than Lemont’s Miles Beachum.
Beachum, a 6-foot-2 senior forward, played his first two years at Morgan Park Academy in Chicago before transferring to Lemont. And now, he feels very much at home.
The difference?
“I definitely feel like I’m competing more,” Beachum said. “Just being able to learn from the guys, I feel like my teammates were really helpful when I made the transition.”
Beachum has the size to play near the basket and the ability to operate on the perimeter.
He illustrated that versatility Friday night during a dominant performance in the third quarter of a 73-41 win over host Evergreen Park in South Suburban Conference crossover.
Beachum scored 10 of his gamehigh 16 points in the third quarter. He added seven rebounds, three steals and two assists for Lemont (22-6, 10-2).
Twins Matas Castillo and Rokas Castillo, both senior guards, scored 14 points apiece. Beachum, meanwhile, flourished as a secondary scorer and shot creator.
“I just really like working off the twins or any good guards,” Beachum said. “It gives me a lot of confidence. I like to just hustle, move around the corner and do what’s asked, whether it’s rebounding or shooting.”
Beachum called the move from the Independent School League to playing last season for Lemont on a team that reached a Class 3A supersectional a form of culture shock.
But eventually, everything has worked out.
“My game is built around being more of a cutter — just finding my way and also getting offensive rebounds,” he said. “Defensively,
I am trying to do anything I can to help the team win.”
Friday night’s win was helped along by senior guard Conor Murray, who contributed five points, seven rebounds and two steals.
Like Beachum, Murray is a connective thread to the other three high-profile starters in the Castillo twins and senior center David Bilevicius.
Both Beachum and Murray are hustle players who bring the necessary intangibles by setting screens, moving the ball and crashing the boards.
They went from being situational performers last season to expanded roles and greater responsibilities. Unlike Beachum, the 5-11 Murray is built like a linebacker.
“I bring some hustle and some heart out there,” Murray said. “I love getting jump balls, taking the charge and then hitting the 3-pointer every once in a while.
“We both bring a lot of energy to the team. Matas and Rokas create most of the offense, but when they need us, we are there.”
Murray said part of his evolution was altering his body and getting into shape to better handle an expanded role.
“They are both really good players for knowing what we need them to do,” Lemont coach Rick Runaas said. “They both have the right priorities in mind. They’re all about the team.
“When we had our situation where we were down a couple of kids, they stepped up and took on a leadership role.”
Beachum and Murray earned an increase in playing time last season as Lemont made its playoff push.
They have never looked back.
“Miles and I played some minutes down the stretch last year, but nothing like we are playing now,” Murray said. “We had the same mindset where we both had to grind it out.
“Now we are just expanding our roles, and it’s been great.”
Beachum drilled two 3-pointers Friday during a 10-point run in the third quarter. Every game is a new opportunity to showcase new
facets.
“I like to score obviously,” he said. “But just making the hustle plays is what really gives me my greatest satisfaction or pride.
“In these last few games and now heading into the playoffs, we have handled it well and we are rolling.”