Some of the football players who helped Kennedy put together one of the best seasons in program history are making an impact on the basketball court, too.
Julian Cuevas and Xavier Guzman were an effective outside-inside duo in a 63-59 win over Bowen in the Public League’s Merry Madness Holiday Shootout on Dec. 22 at Young.
Cuevas had 17 points and six rebounds, while Guzman — a senior in his first season of high-school basketball — finished with a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds along with two blocks. Ja’Veon Sargent-Williams also reached double figures for the Crusaders (5-5) with 17 points and five rebounds.
Cuevas was a standout junior linebacker for Kennedy’s football team, which was runner-up in the Public League Southwest and earned its second straight IHSA playoff berth.
Guzman was a disruptive edge rusher for the Crusaders who led the team in tackles and sacks and was “the heartbeat of the team,” according to football coach Rob Albano.
Now they’re making a difference on the court.
“Julian, he can do a little bit of everything,” Kennedy basketball coach Marcus Green said. “He plays a bigger position than his size (5-11). He plays a lot of forward, but he could be an off guard if we had the right personnel.
“But he rebounds well for us. He defends bigger guys, makes hustle plays, those types of things.”
Cuevas is a three-sport athlete for the Crusaders, cycling between baseball, football and basketball.
“Getting back into basketball shape, I’m not gonna lie, it was a little challenge for me,” he said. “But I like the sport … so I put the work into it and the time and effort.”
He also makes a point of putting in the effort on the court.
“I feel like I’m more of a hustle player this year (compared to last),” Cuevas said. “And I have a little bit more of situational awareness.”
Guzman, meanwhile, has no hoops history. That’s hard to tell watching the 6-5, 190-pounder, especially when he’s showing off a soft touch around the basket on offense.
“When we started in November, that was the first time I’d seen him,” Green said. “He works hard at it every day. He asks a lot of questions and he wants to learn how to play. I wish I had him prior to this year.”
Cuevas is glad to have his football teammate on the basketball team, too.
“He’s always been playing like that,” Cuevas said. “He’s always picking us up in practice and stuff.”
Kennedy is off till Jan. 6, when it resumes its quest for a Public League White Central title. The Crusaders head into the new year at 3-1 in the conference, a half-game behind 4-1 Longwood and a game behind unbeaten co-leaders Dunbar and Chicago Richards (both 4-0).
“We’re still aiming to finish at the top of our conference,” Green said. “… Long way to go and hopefully (we) make a little run at the state playoffs.”