Same team, different situation
Behind power trio, Notre Dame begins strange, unpredictable season at No. 1
This is a season of unknowns. Schedules have been patched together. There is a 50-spectator limit, and COVID-19 cancellations likely are looming.
But there is something to rely on in Niles. Anthony Sayles, Troy D’Amico, Louis Lesmond and a talented, focused group of veterans are ready to pick up where they left off last season as a state powerhouse.
The Dons are the Sun-Times’ top-ranked team. But how do you set goals for a season with no state tournament? With no holiday tournament?
There’s only one thing to do: Go undefeated.
“That’s our goal,” Sayles said. “It’s really tough to put goals on it. But that is definitely our goal: an unblemished record.”
Sayles was spectacular in the season opener against Prospect on Thursday. He debuted a new, bulked-up frame, scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. He played like a confident, aggressive senior. Sayles has stood out since his freshman year, but there was a notable leap in performance in just his first game as a senior.
“I’ve been in the weight room all offseason, just trying to get my body together and be a big, physical guard,” Sayles said.
He definitely has achieved that, and it’s going to be a nightmare for guards to handle.
D’Amico had a breakout season last year and was a Sun-Times All-Area selection. The 6-7 Southern Illinois recruit has a versatile game. He’s able to score from anywhere on the court and is a difficult matchup for guards and bigs.
Lesmond had spectacular moments last season for Notre Dame. He clearly was finding his footing after transferring from Evanston. The 6-5 Harvard recruit prefers to play on the wing. When his shot is falling, the Dons may be unbeatable.
Promising sophomore Sonny Williams and spark plug senior Frank Lynch round out the starting lineup. Jake DeFranza provides stellar defense off the bench.
So the pieces are in place. Kevin Clancy has been busy trying to assemble a schedule to properly showcase his talented team.
The Dons will play conference games and already have set up dates against top-10 squads Mundelein and Fenwick.
The Illinois Department of Public Health changed its guidelines and now will allow teams to play any school within 30 miles, so Notre Dame could test itself against the city powers. Clancy said he’s holding open a couple dates late in the season in the hopes that the Public League will be able to play.
Notre Dame was the favorite to win Class 3A last season. But with no state championship this year, do classes even matter?
As Sayles said, the best any team can hope for is an unblemished record . . . and maybe a spot at the top in the final rankings.
The full preseason Super 25 will be released Monday. Most teams around the area start playing this week. The Public League will be included if there is an announcement on sports sometime this weekend.