Latest news with #Miletic
Chicago Tribune
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Braylon Walker makes sure Warren can ‘finish the job' in supersectional. The Blue Devils are going to state.
Warren junior guard Braylon Walker wasn't going to forget how last season ended. Even if Walker and his teammates weren't back in the same game on the same court on Monday night, he would have remembered. 'After we lost, we talked about that moment every day last summer,' Walker said. 'We put in the work, the effort, and we were determined to get back here and finish the job. We played with a chip on our shoulders. That was a long bus ride home.' With the same prize on the line — a berth in the Class 4A state semifinals — Walker answered the bell on both ends of the court as the Blue Devils beat Marquette recruit Ian Miletic and Rolling Meadows 60-48 in the NIU Supersectional at the Convocation Center in DeKalb. The 6-foot-3 Walker scored 11 points and was one of four players in double figures for Warren (26-10), which had lost 55-53 to Palatine in the supersectional last year but advances to play Rich Township (25-8) in the state semifinals at the State Farm Center in Champaign at 7:45 p.m. Friday. Senior center Zach Ausburn, who was coming off a huge game against Waukegan in the sectional final, and sophomore guard Jaxson Davis each scored 14 points the the Blue Devils, and senior guard Javerion Banks added 13. But Walker's most consequential role was the yeoman's work he did defensively against the 6-7 Miletic. After scoring 70 points in Rolling Meadows' previous two games, Miletic was held to a more manageable 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting. Walker switched to Miletic after senior forward Jack Wolf was called for his second foul late in the first quarter. 'I watched a lot of film on him, and I know Ian pretty well,' Walker said. 'We work out together at the same gym four times a week, and I played with him growing up. He's very skilled. 'I knew I couldn't overreach or overplay him, and he tried to take advantage of me in the post. I had to be very physical with a guy like him, pressure him, make him uncomfortable.' Walker did exactly that, and while Rolling Meadows (30-5) had to work for everything on its offensive end, Walker exhibited a particularly strong offensive game as well. His controlled assertiveness contributed to the Blue Devils' game-long efficiency and helped keep the Mustangs on their heels. 'Braylon was aggressive on offense, got to the basket and didn't force it,' Warren coach Zack Ryan said. 'He made good passes, and he and Jaxson both played really good floor games. 'When you have guards like we have when you have a lead, you can pull teams out and take some air out of it.' The Blue Devils were in position to do that because they were essentially in control the entire game. They never trailed and led by as many as 18 points midway through the second quarter. The Mustangs put together a run that trimmed the lead to 34-30 in the third quarter. But Warren hit back with a 12-0 burst, which Walker started with a 3-point play and two free throws on back-to-back possessions. 'They overplayed Jaxson, face-guarding him, so I knew there would be an opportunity to score,' Walker said. 'Especially in the third quarter when they went on a run, I played with the mindset there that I'm not going home this time without a win.' That mindset was apparent in Walker's level of activity, which is nothing new. He also had four rebounds, two assists and two steals. 'I do whatever I need to do to help us win,' he said. 'Today, I needed to do more scoring. In other games, like last game, I had to play my best defensively. Each game, my role is different.' Warren knew all along that he would have a big role for Warren, but he was sidelined for much of December with mononucleosis and flu. Combined with the even longer absence of Banks, who was out after surgery, there was a long stretch of the season when the Blue Devils struggled. 'That really knocked me down for a while, and it took me a few weeks to get myself back to feeling like myself,' Walker said. 'We had a really hard schedule, too, so that led to us having to definitely fight through some adversity.' A team is better equipped to handle adversity when someone like Walker is at his best. No one knows that better than Davis, who has played with Walker since the two were growing up. 'For Braylon to guard (Miletic) like he did and produce on the offensive end, that was big-time,' Davis said. 'I've been playing with him all my life, and that's my brother, no matter what happens. 'It doesn't surprise me at all that he showed his best when it mattered.'
Chicago Tribune
14-02-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Marquette recruit Ian Miletic does ‘whatever I can to win' for Rolling Meadows. Is there anything he can't do?
Rolling Meadows senior forward Ian Miletic has an edge over just about anyone he confronts on the basketball court. The 6-foot-8 Marquette recruit's coveted physical traits are an obvious reason. But his approach to the sport is significant too. 'There's intent that I have in everything I do, and there's always pride in the way I carry myself, showing my effort and doing whatever I can to win,' Miletic said. 'I love to win.' Following in the footsteps of Dallas Mavericks guard Max Christie and Los Angeles Clippers rookie guard Cam Christie, his former teammate, Miletic has helped make Mid-Suburban East Conference champion Rolling Meadows a winner not only this season but throughout his career. Through Feb. 13, Miletic was averaging 18.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists for the Mustangs (23-4, 9-0). 'I like to think of myself as being pretty versatile, being able to do a little bit of everything,' he said. 'On defense, that could mean how I play our rotations, being a pest, talking, having active hands, sliding my feet quickly. It all adds up.' The fact that Miletic mentioned five potential defensive tactics in one sentence speaks to the value he places on being an all-around player. When a freshman is a varsity starter, like Miletic was three years ago, that's typically because the player exhibits scoring ability. But other aspects of the game initially caught the eye of college recruiters. Marquette assistant Neill Berry recalls watching Miletic play in York's Jack Tosh Holiday Classic in December 2023. 'He shot it well that day,' Berry said. 'I think he made three or four threes, which stands out for someone with his size. What I really noticed was his presence on the floor and how connected he was with his teammates and coaches.' Berry's favorable impression led to a conversation after the game, and Marquette head coach Shaka Smart saw what Miletic brings to the table a couple of weeks later. Although Miletic didn't have a lofty national ranking, the Golden Eagles' coaching staff was convinced he would be a good fit. 'We want to recruit players who have a level of passion for the game,' Berry said. 'Beyond all of his physical gifts, the greatest advantage he has is his desire to be good. It means something to him.' To help Miletic make the transition to college as smooth as possible, Marquette holds periodic Zoom calls that link the four incoming freshmen with other people in the program. 'It's a way for us all to be as connected as possible before we get onto campus,' Miletic said. 'We'll get to know each other on a closer level.' Excited about joining a top-25 team, Miletic has been paying attention to Marquette's season. But he also realizes that what he's doing at Rolling Meadows is important for not only the current team but future teams as well. 'I'm very grateful to be a part of such a great program,' Miletic said. 'It's a blessing to have such a good group of junior guys who help us prepare so well. I always look forward to helping out younger players and hope they can duplicate what we've done.' The Mustangs' Mid-Suburban East title is their fourth in Miletic's four seasons. But he still bemoans an overtime loss to Prospect last season because a win would have given Rolling Meadows a remarkable 39-0 record in conference games in his career. 'I always do think about that game and would love to have had another chance,' Miletic said. 'I've even heard from seniors in the past about that game.' Miletic, who averaged 20.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists last season, focuses on the team's outcomes. 'He could easily average more than he is, but he's so unselfish,' Rolling Meadows coach Kevin Katovich said. 'He's our leading scorer, rebounder and assist man, and can score at all three levels. But how he approaches the mental aspect has really improved, things like staying composed and seeing the whole game.' Sometimes that means Miletic needs to assert his dominance. He scored 32 points against Maine South earlier this season and scored 31 points against Hersey on Feb. 7. Miletic set the tone in the latter game with 15 points in the first quarter as the Mustangs clinched the conference title. 'The first quarter was crazy,' he said. 'I got lost in the moment because I really wanted to win for my guys. Once I had that rhythm, I took over. That truly meant something.' Miletic's killer instinct figures to come in handy for Rolling Meadows down the stretch. That puts the team in an enviable position. 'I'm the player I am for a reason — because of all the work I've put in,' Miletic said. 'If my team needs me to give them 30 on a game night, I can do that. I know what I'm capable of.'
