Ben Delberto is just a sophomore playing his first year of varsity basketball for Oak Lawn.
While that comes with challenges especially as a starter, having a mentor and teammate like senior Jack Dempsey has helped.
“I think that is what makes our program so special,” Spartans coach Jason Rhodes said. “Jack was brought along as a sophomore and learned from some of the older guys and now he’s paying it forward.”
The two spent time ahead of their 53-47 win against Richards on Jan. 30 getting some extra shots up after a midweek practice.
“A few days ago, we stayed in the gym to shoot as we both realized that our shots weren’t on,” Dempsey said after the game. “Shooting together and talking to each other has strengthened our bond.”
That extra practice might have been just what Delberto needed.
The sophomore guard erased what had been 13-point deficit, as his 3-pointer gave Oak Lawn a 50-47 lead with 2:19 left in the game. The Spartans went on to win their eighth straight.
“That was cool,” Delberto said on his crowd-silencing shot. “I don’t like these guys that much.”
Delberto, who finished with seven points, was battling illness.
“He was super sick today,” Rhodes said. “… For him to step up and play through it showed a lot of tough it (out desire).”
Senior Marc Harvey has come up big for Oak Lawn (18-6, 8-2 South Suburban Red) in the past and had a shot at potentially tying the game. Instead, he was confident in his teammate’s skill and passed it out to Delberto
“I saw him right away,” Harvey said. “As soon as I passed it, I knew he was going to hit it. And that was a big game-changer. It was what we needed.”
The senior trio of Dempsey, Harvey, and Omar Saleh all scored in double figures. Saleh paced the group with 13 points and seven rebounds, while Harvey had 12 points and six rebounds and Dempsey added 10 with six coming off clutch free throws.
For much of the game, the Spartans couldn’t tame Jordan Shaw. He led the way for the Bulldogs (12-10, 6-4) with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Messiah Horton had 11 points and Travon Gourdine scored 10.
“They didn’t have an answer for him at all,” Bulldogs coach Jamal Thompson said. “Nobody in this league can handle him down low.”
Thompson didn’t have an issue with his players’ effort.
“They basically executed the game plan except for the last four minutes,” he said.
While he was glad to watch his Bulldogs compete, he is not satisfied and hopes his players feel the same.
“I don’t take moral victories,” Thompson said. “I want to win. And if I want to win more than my guys, it’s a problem.”
Delberto also plays baseball, which Rhodes calls a plus.
“He’s always going to give us his best effort and he is going to be there every single day whether it is in the season or offseason,” Rhodes said. “I enjoy coaching multi-sport athletes as they tend to be the most coachable.”
While Delberto has learned a lot from his coaches and teammates, one reminder from Dempsey may have crossed his mind on his game-altering basket.
“Don’t be afraid,” Delberto said.