Towering Ambition

The word "legacy" isn't thrown around carelessly inside the Lawrence North High School boys basketball locker room. And creating one that will be remembered, that's no easy task. With a storied basketball tradition that includes four state titles and countless individual stars, this year's group of Wildcats hopes to cement its legacy alongside the high school's greatest teams. Led by four NCAA Division I college recruits, Lawrence North entered the season ranked No. 1 in Indiana's Class 4A polls. "From man-to-man, say 9th or 10th man to the beginning man, they're probably more talented than all those teams," longtime coach Jack Keefer said, referring to his four state championship teams in 1989, 2004, 2005 and 2006. "But that doesn't mean these guys have the same heart, the same desire to win and the same competitiveness. We've got to either develop all those things or let them come out. I think my seniors understand that more than the younger players." That message hits close to one senior's heart. Stephan Van Treese, a 6-foot-9 interior presence, won't be satisfied unless the Wildcats create a memorable legacy of their own this year. The University of Louisville recruit was Greg Oden's backup during the 29-0 season in 2005-06. Oden, the 2006 National High School Player of the Year, played college basketball at Ohio State University and was the No. 1 overall pick by the Portland Trailblazers in the 2007 NBA draft. "I really want to get back to state and prove we can win without Greg (Oden)," said Van Treese, who chose Louisville over Indiana, Notre Dame, Michigan State, UCLA, Kansas and Ohio State. "It was easy winning with Greg, but if we can do it again, it would get that burden off our back." Keefer noticed an extra sense of motivation from his players coming into the season. Last year, the Wildcats lost to North Central in the sectional finals, snapping their streak of five consecutive trips to the regional round. "We didn't get to create what we wanted to create. We blew it in sectionals," Keefer said. "These guys feel unfinished. They feel cheated. They want to put together a season that people won't forget." Translation: They want a state championship. "We've got to do it," said 6-9 junior Dominique Ferguson, who made a verbal commitment to the University of Kentucky. "We're all excited to do it for the seniors because they've worked so hard, and it would mean a lot to them." Lawrence North senior and Purdue University recruit Jeff Robinson played on the freshman team in 2005-06 and didn't win a state championship that year. He believes another crown is within reach for the Wildcats. "We have enough talent to get the job done, but we can't take anything for granted or let it go to our heads," said Robinson, a 6-9 forward. "We have to go out and work hard every day because if you're not getting better, you're probably getting worse." Van Treese agreed, saying the Wildcats can't depend on their high rankings or potential to carry them. "We have to compete every night and prove that it's not all hype," Van Treese said. "All I want to do is win, that's it. I really don't care about being ranked or anything like that." Winning is usually the direct result of hard work, a philosophy often preached by Keefer, and tough practices have become the norm at Lawrence North over the years. The Wildcats' deep roster, which includes junior guard and Louisville commit Justin Martin, senior guard Alanzo Bass and sophomores Ryan Taylor and Michael Chandler, makes a team scrimmage feel more like a regular-season game. "Practices are always harder than games. Coach Keefer is always pushing us," Ferguson said. "Our practices are pretty much like games for us. We go hard at each other." Heated arguments between team members and physical play are not uncommon during a Lawrence North practice. "When you have people competing, that makes for a good practice," Keefer said. "I want them to be more competitive. I think they can work a little bit harder and push themselves a little harder. You're always wanting more, wanting these guys to be a little more aggressive." But after practice, even a heated one, the players aren't likely to hold grudges. "We come to the locker room and goof around and talk," Ferguson said. "Once practice is over, we're all friendly again. We have really good chemistry on this team, on and off the court." Team chemistry, hard work and focus could be the deciding factors for the Wildcats as they aim to win the program's fifth state title in March. It could also land them in the same conversation with the best teams in school history. "We want to be remembered for something. We want to be remembered as a good team and good players," Robinson said. "Instead of talking about Greg (Oden), Michael (Conley) and some of those guys, they can talk about us. ... We want to continue their legacy and start our own." For better or worse, that legacy will be solidified in March. - Be sure to log on to VYPE.com/centralindiana to check out the Spotlight on Van Tresse.