BRAIDWOOD – After dropping some close, low-scoring games in 2012, Reed-Custer boys basketball coach Mark Porter decided a different approach was necessary.

So the Comets started to implement a fast-paced, up-tempo game with an emphasis on 3-point shooting to take advantage of the skills of players in their program.

While it has been a work in progress, the dividends finally seem to be paying off in a big way for Reed-Custer, which has won 12 of its first 15 games this season.

In a day when most squads are pleased to score 60 points in a game, the Comets are averaging 90 points. Reed-Custer already has gone over the century mark on three occasions.

After closing out 2014 by rallying for a 101-96 overtime win over Dwight to capture the Marseilles Holiday Tournament title, Reed-Custer began 2015 by scoring 60 points in the opening half of Friday’s 103-74 victory over Clifton Central.

“It all started a few seasons ago when we came off of a season where we averaged 40 points a game,” Porter said. “We just seemed like we were beating our heads against the wall, so we decided that we needed to do something different for our kids. We had to do something to break out and, even if we didn’t win, we’d give ourselves an opportunity.

“We struggled a little that first year and went 9-21 but had some success at the lower levels. Last year, we went 19-12 and won a regional and played in the sectional finals. We went from averaging 40 points a game to 64 to 77, and now we’re around 90. Each year, we’ve played a little faster but under control, and the kids think that it’s a fun way to play.”

Playing at such a frenzied pace doesn’t come by accident – it requires a lot of work. Porter and his staff make sure the Comets maximize their time in practice.

“We set a great pace in practice in order to make sure that there’s no wasted time,” Porter said. “We go from one thing to the other quickly because that’s the way we want the kids to play. Things need to be high-paced in practice so that we’re able to accomplish that in games. The kids have done a great job, and we still have a lot of games in front of us.”

The Comets hope to improve on last year’s showing in the playoffs, when they won only their second regional title since 1977 and advanced to the sectional finals, where they fell to Paris, 60-55.

Reed-Custer never has won back-to-back regionals and last captured a sectional championship in 1963, so this squad would like to establish some history.

“We like getting the ball out – and just going and chucking up some 3s. It’s fun,” said Mason Dransfeldt. “When we’re on, the points are really pouring in. We have a lot of good athletes and a lot of leaders on the team who step up when we need it.

“I like the overall attitude of our team. We’re all positive and know that we can always come back. We set some teams goals at the beginning of the year and are ready to get it done.”

Sign of the times

Reed-Custer has a sign on the wall of its gym boasting of the number of 3s it has made this season. After hitting 11 against Central, that total sits at 205, or 13.7 a game.

But when teams try to limit the long-range threat, the Comets are content to adjust their game. When Central attempted to stop the 3s, the Comets responded with plenty of layups.

“It’s great playing with the unselfish players who are on this team,” said Travis Schoonover, a junior who broke a Marseilles Tourney record by scoring 47 points against Dwight. “It’s great playing with this offense and system. We’re really talented and unselfish and play together.

“Hopefully, we get the No. 1 seed in the regional so that we don’t have to play both Clifton and Mac (Bishop McNamara). This is absolutely a perfect team. We know that we can’t live and die with the 3-ball – we have to help on defense and go to the basket.”

Schoonover is averaging 21.5 points, 4.2 assists and 4.3 steals; fellow junior Brent Headrick is scoring 17.8 points while averaging 6.3 rebounds and 2.8 blocks.

Senior Austin Hauck (11.3 points), senior Dransfeldt (10.3 points, 5.7 rebounds), junior Tommy Shaw (7.8 points), senior Zach Zoltani (5.1 points) and junior Neil O’Donnell (4.4 assists) are other top contributors for the team.

While last year’s squad started slowly and ended strong, this season’s Comets hope their early success leads to an even better finish.

“We like to get everyone involved, and we realize who’s hot and who our shooters are and try to get them,” said Headrick, who was the MVP of the Marseilles Tournament. “When they’re guarding our 3s, we try to take what they give us and make the best of it.

“We all have certain jobs, and if one guy is off, the rest of the team is going to pick him up. It’s like a big family. We’re off to a good start this year. One goal was to win the Christmas tournament, and we did that. We have big goals to try to match and improve on last year.”