Lake senior James Kania knew more would be expected from him this season.
The 6-foot-3 guard was the only returning starter for the Eagles, who were Northern Lake County Conference co-champions last year.
“I’ve been more assertive in general,” Kania said. “I knew I would be who we’d go to for scoring. But I have complete trust in my teammates, so there wasn’t much pressure to do everything.”
Kania isn’t doing everything for Lakes (10-14, 7-3), but he’s doing a lot. He entered the week averaging a team-high 12.0 points, with three 20-point outings, and 4.0 rebounds.
Kania likes to drive to the basket in the half-court offense, especially to find gaps in zones, or catch and shoot. But he can also handle the ball well enough to spell senior point guard JJ Jackson.
“He poses matchup problems because he can score at all levels,” Lakes coach Chris Snyder said. “He especially has a really good touch around the hoop.
“Basketball is his only sport, so he’s all in. He really gets the big picture, and his demeanor helps keep his teammates calm.”
That demeanor was put to the test as the Eagles lost 12 of their first 16 games this season. But they enter February on a five-game winning streak, which includes their 63-59 road victory against conference co-leader Wauconda on Tuesday. Kania scored 17 points in that one.
His play has been front and center during the surge, but how he operates behind the scenes has also been instrumental in helping stage the turnaround.
“Early in the season, there was a sense that we weren’t playing for each other, so I went to coach and asked if there was anything I could do,” Kania said. “When we got back to practice after break, I spread the message to the guys that there was no more messing around, and we flipped the switch after that point.”
It says a lot about Kania’s resolve and leadership that he sought out Snyder. He also doesn’t leave anything to chance as he makes sure he goes into each game in the right head space personally. He said he utilizes hallmarks of a mental skills training program called Always Get Better, which was presented to the team by Judson athletic director Rick Williams during the preseason. Kania employs his own techniques too.
“Everything I do is consistent,” he said. “I try to envision the game beforehand, especially on bus rides, and I have a game-day checklist I go through.”
Kania’s preparation is reflected in his proficiency at the free-throw line, among other things. He entered the week shooting 82% from the line and has come through repeatedly in late-game situations.
Kania made six straight free throws during Lakes’ 63-50 conference win against Antioch on Jan. 23, when he finished with 20 points. At the other end of the scoring spectrum, he tallied his only two points of the Eagles’ 48-45 conference win against Grant on Jan. 19 by making two free throws in the waning moments.
“Trying to force shots wasn’t what we needed that game,” Kania said of the win against Grant. “Scoring isn’t everything. You can also help the team by making the extra pass or a hustle play.”
Kania credits Kevin Klimas and Ethan McGruder, who were seniors on Lakes’ 2021-22 team, for showing him how to lead. One of the players following Kania this season is Klimas’ younger brother Jason, a junior forward and first-year varsity player.
“He always has positive energy,” Jason Klimas said about Kania. “You never see him down or shaking his head, and if someone messes up, he tells them to keep their chin up. I learn every day from him how to be a good teammate.”
Like most seniors at this time of year, Kania knows the clock is ticking on his high school career. That really hit home when Snyder told the team on Jan. 10 that they were only assured of being together for another 41 days.
“It’s most important for me to be playing my best basketball, but it’s also important for the team to be locked in,” Kania said. “There’s an extra sense of urgency because it’s now or never.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
