Winter is around the corner, and that means that Boys basketball is back at Antioch Community High School. Last year, the team won their first conference title since in 1981 in a three-way tie with Grayslake Central High School and Lakes Community High School with a conference record of 11-3. With the loss of impactful seniors such as Colby Priller, Carter Webb, and Joel Bulka, many players are going to have increased roles this year. One of those players is senior Jason Lee. Lee came off the bench last year as a junior and gave the team the post presence and defending they needed. This year as one of three captains, he will have a major role on both sides of the floor. Head coach Sean Connor describes Lee as someone who cares about others.
“Jason’s best trait is his motor and energy, Connor said.” He always leaves everything he has on the court every time he plays, and leads by example.”
As Lee is entering his last basketball season, he looks to give this sport the proper thank you it deserves. With more muscle to his frame, a smooth jump shot, and his already dominant post presence, Lee will be a threat on the offensive side of the ball.
Junior Mark Render is another player who will have a more prominent role this season. Render played for the sophomore team last season but got moved up to varsity late into last season. Throughout the summer, he has established himself as the best shooter and a top 3 player on the team. Teammate and 2x All-Conference and All-Area star Marshall Gehrke believes the sky is the limit for Render.
“Mark has developed at an incredibly fast rate this off-season,” Gehrke said. “As he’s only a junior, I’m excited to see how far his shot-making abilities and newfound defensive toughness will take him. I expect him to exceed any expectations people have for him this year.”
Render is a rising junior who will look to rely on his senior captains, Jack Majerowski, Teddi Wetu, and Jason Lee. Along with other seniors such as Cameron Speich, Eddie Zamudio, Marshall Gehrke, and Evan Schmidt for leadership. Spectators should absolutely keep Render on their radar for the next two years.
Coach Connor has slowly but surely established basketball in the town of Antioch. Coming from decorated basketball school DePaul Prep, Connor, who was an assistant coach, missed on the opportunity to have back-to-back state championships on his resumé. To him, it is about creating his own legacy and leaving his mark. In just his first three years, ACHS has won the most games in a season since 1997, finished top ten in Lake County, and won the conference for the first time since 1981. With the roster and the depth they have now, Connor looks to continue his fast-growing success as head coach and have another successful season. ACHS basketball is on the rise.
