Lake Forest senior guard Dominic Mordini knew this season could be totally different.
Gone was a robust forged of older teammates who helped produce 47 wins and two regional titles in his first two varsity seasons, leaving Mordini to guide a group with a number of largely untested gamers.
“These two groups had been senior-heavy, and I used to be the one youthful man who performed important minutes,” Mordini mentioned. “That is the exact opposite, so it’s been somewhat little bit of an adjustment.
“It takes time to regulate to the varsity stage, so I’m making an attempt to do my finest to maintain the group afloat. Now it’s my flip to guide.”
The 6-foot-4 Mordini has clearly embraced that concept, taking his sport to a brand new stage this season. He’s averaging 16.0 factors on 53% taking pictures, 6.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and a pair of.0 steals and primarily by no means leaves the court docket, a necessity for the Scouts (7-13, 1-6) within the North Suburban Convention.
“His management has been integral to our development,” first-year Lake Forest coach Joe Pettinger mentioned. “He has the ball in his fingers on a regular basis, and the numbers he’s placing up are with the opposite group placing their finest defender on him, face-guarding him. He’s been unstoppable even when groups attempt to shut him down.”
Mordini, who averaged 10.5 factors on 51% taking pictures, 3.5 rebounds and a pair of.5 assists final season, scored 24 factors towards convention rival Stevenson on Jan. 6 and 22 factors towards convention chief Warren on Thursday.
A fifth straight 20-win season possible isn’t within the playing cards for the Scouts, however there was optimistic momentum just lately. They’d received 4 of six video games earlier than the loss to Warren.
Main the best way, Mordini harks again to former teammates Bolurin Taiwo, Tommie Aberle and Hudson Scroggins.
“These guys taught me the best way to compete, and that undoubtedly disregarded on me,” Mordini mentioned. “The way in which they did issues impressed me to do the identical. My objective for this 12 months basketball-wise was to be the very best chief I could possibly be.”
That even extends to Mortini’s assist of Pettinger. Final week, Mordini took the initiative to spearhead this system’s illustration on the annual Scout Expertise, when center schoolers come to campus.
“It’s nice that we’ve got the type of relationship the place he’s prepared to assist me out,” Pettinger mentioned. “On the court docket, he’s like a lead assistant coach who’s consistently telling us what he sees on the market.”
On the court docket, Mordini additionally sees a number of methods to attain. He can drive to the rim off the dribble, publish up smaller defenders and shoot from lengthy distance. He additionally has a knack for making the best go within the circulation of the offense.
“I attempt to preserve issues fairly easy and give attention to fundamentals,” Mordini mentioned. “I do know I’m not the quickest man round, however with my measurement, I can have success inside, and I’m engaged on my pull-up jumper and likewise extending my vary from exterior.”
Mordini understands he’s the focus of opposing groups’ scouting experiences.
“It’s all the time an honor when an opposing coach values making an attempt to cease you,” he mentioned. “There’s strain as a result of there’s quite a bit in your shoulders. However it’s additionally a privilege.”
Faculty coaches have taken discover too. Quite a few groups in Division III are expressing curiosity in Mordini.
“It’s a blessing to have the chance to play on the subsequent stage,” he mentioned. “I’m tremendous excited to discover a place that wishes me and that could be a good match not solely basketball-wise however academically.”
Within the meantime, Mordini desires to complete with as many wins as attainable and put together the Scouts for subsequent season.
“There are three hallmarks we speak about on daily basis to assist outline the Lake Forest tradition: accountability, angle and motion,” he mentioned. “You be taught a whole lot of life classes as effectively.
“That’s one of many issues I like about basketball. It’s vital that I go away my mark on this system to assist set others up for the longer term.”
Steve Reaven is a contract reporter.
