The Northern Lake County Conference (NLCC) basketball conference is typically extremely competitive, but Antioch Community High School showed the strength to come back and be in the running for the top spot after winning the conference last year. The Sequoits finished in second place with an 11-3 record and have positioned themselves for a good postseason performance, after narrowly losing out on a conference title with first place being claimed by 12-2 Grayslake Central. Grant Community High School came in third, while Grayslake North brought a season of surprises and had everyone guessing, coming in fourth.
One of Antioch’s senior captains, Jason Lee, gave one of the year’s top performances. Lee, with his limitless energy and high motor, played with as much tenacity as possible each time he stepped on the court, averaging a double-double on the season.
“I just love the game, and I want to make sure I’m giving everything I’ve got for my teammates,” Lee said.
His work ethic and leadership were a driving force behind the team’s success.
Alongside Lee is senior Teddi Wetu, a versatile player who can do it all. Wetu’s ability to contribute in every facet of the game has made him one of the most important players on the team. Coach Dan Howard, the assistant coach for the team, spoke highly of his senior leader.
“Teddi’s growth this season has been impressive,” Howard said. “He’s always been versatile, but this year he’s taken on even more responsibility. His versatility to play various positions and contribute to all aspects of the game has been priceless.”
Despite great work from Lee and Wetu, Antioch suffered a few hard losses during the season, including road trips to Wauconda and Grayslake North. Those defeats could have depressed the team’s morale, but the team rebounded very quickly.
“We focused on what we could control,” Lee said. “Those losses hurt, but we talked about them, learned from them, and moved on.”
Coach Howard confirmed that the team’s perseverance was central to their achievement. The adversity they faced was important in shaping the team’s identity throughout the season.
“We did not stay on the losses. Every defeat served as a challenge to get better,” Howard said. “The team’s power of refocusing and staying focused on the larger picture enabled them to close the regular season strong despite challenging situations.”
While the team’s defense was the area of focus to strengthen throughout the course of the year, the offense was also productive. Lee’s rebounding and scoring ability allowed Antioch to keep pace with the league’s top teams. With a solid team that included other steady players, Antioch was able to push Grayslake Central to the limit in a tough game and come away with a win, proving it was on par with the conference’s top contenders.
With the upcoming playoff rematch against Niles Notre Dame High School nearing, Antioch enters post-season play with enthusiasm and confidence that they can go on a run to end their season.
