Plainfield North star Krieger to St. Xavier

By Joe Henricksen

There have been several seniors across the Chicago area that have made a name for themselves this season. Plainfield North’s Jack Krieger is certainly one of them.

The high-scoring 6-3 scoring guard, who has averaged 23 points and 10 rebounds a game this season, ended his recruitment by committing to coach Tom O’Malley and St. Xavier. Krieger was receiving all sorts of small college interest from NAIA, Division II and high-level Division III programs since his breakout performance this winter.

Unfortunately, Krieger has been out of action since mid-January with a broken thumb on his shooting hand. Although he has doctor’s clearance, it’s still day-to-day.

“You really see his worth since he’s been out,” says Plainfield North coach Nick DiForti.

DiForti — and others who have watched Krieger over the past couple of years — have seen the progression from shooter to scorer. A year ago he was a three-point specialist, who broke out with a 27-point performance last March in a regional loss to Neuqua Valley. Krieger became better off the dribble and more assertive on the offensive end.

“He did evolve into a player who wasn’t just a shooter but a shooter and scorer,” says DiForti. “Plus, he put up those big numbers without shooting all that much. He did his scoring within the offense.”

Krieger started the season off with a bang, scoring 37 in an opening win over Rich South and following it up with 33 in a win over CICS/Ellison. He added 39 against Plainfield South a week later and the slender scoring guard was the talk of the Joliet area.