Nojel Eastern is the big-name star for Evanston. He’s expected to put up some major numbers this season and lead the Wildkits to Peoria. The “supporting cast” is a bit unknown. They began to emerge on Monday in the Wildkits’ season-opener against Libertyville at the St. Viator Thanksgiving Tournament in Arlington Heights.
Evanston had a rough start, but recovered to beat Libertyville 75-53.
The Wildcats led 19-5. Star junior Drew Peterson, who finished with 21 points, scored 11 in the first quarter. The Wildkits took over with a 16-0 run in the second quarter.
Then senior Chris Hamil took over. He drained three consecutive three-pointers to open the third quarter. He was 0-for-4 from three-point range in the first half.
“I was proud of him, a lot of times that can carry over into a full game,” Evanston coach Mike Ellis said. “He put it behind him at halftime and came out in the second half and led us in a nice spurt.”
Hamil started last season for the Wildkits, but is expected to take on a much bigger role this season.
“I just kind of rushed my shots early, I was playing too hyped,” Hamil said. “In the second half I settled down.”
Senior Elyjah Williams scored 10 for Evanston. A trio of sophomores played serious minutes: Lance Jones, Ryan Bost and Jaheim Holden.
“They have a good chemistry together,” Ellis said. “Typically you would want to play a sophomore with a veteran players. But those sophomores have a comfort level where they feel comfortable next to one another so that’s a benefit for us.”
Jones, a highly-regarded prospect, scored eight points and Bost had five.
“[Playing the sophomores together] works, they play great defense up on the ball,” Hamil said. “If they trap it gets us fast break points, we are a lot quicker this year.”
Eastern scored 19 and grabbed 14 rebounds. He started slow and heated up in the second half.
