Lockport boys basketball coach Brett Hespell says Porters have nice pieces, some size

MORRIS – Lockport junior John Meyer is the reigning state champion in the shot put and also qualified for the state track and field meet in the discus.

He spent this week out of state, at a summer track meet.

However, in addition to his throwing endeavors, Meyer will be a key to the Porters’ success next basketball season. The thought that the 6-foot-5 Meyer is with them was not lost on coach Brett Hespell or the Porters as they competed this week in the 31st annual Morris Boys Shootout.

"Meyer is the strongest guy in the state," senior lead guard Matt
Smietanski said. "He gets in a zone, and all we have to do is keep giving it to him. I think of him as a senior, and I'm counting on him as if he was a senior."

“Anytime you have a state champion in anything on your roster, it’s a good thing,” Hespell said. “John is a horse in the post. We had him up on the varsity last year. He’ll be a big contributor.”

Meyer’s absence underscores what the summer is like as the Porters begin the process of improving on last season’s 11-16 record, which included several tight losses.

“Summer is kind of tough because we have a lot of multi-sport guys, which I like,” said Hespell, a former Lockport assistant who is entering his second season as the head coach, having succeeded Lawrence Thompson Jr.

“The adjustment I have made to the summer is trying to get our multi-sport guys here as often as possible. We have so many who are involved in baseball, football, track and volleyball that it’s tough to make the schedule in such a way that we see as many of them as possible.”

When the Porters have a full deck, the inside trio of Meyer, Matt Medina and Christian Schultz, coupled with guards Smietanski and Patrick
Cooper, an athletic senior football player, will be among the keys.

“Cooper is going to help us a lot, and [senior] Austin Ambrose didn’t play last year, but he’s very talented,” Smietanski said. “He has a great shot.”

“We have some nice pieces and some size,” Hespell said. “Schultz has come a long way. Unlike last year, when we didn’t have a lot of experience starting out, we have some now. I like what I have seen so far this summer.”

Smietanski averaged 6.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals last season. Meyer averaged 4.7 points and 2.9 rebounds. Medina scored 3.0 points and Cooper 2.6.

“We had so many games where we lost by six points or less last year, and a lot of those were after Meyer broke his foot and went out,” Hespell said. “But the kids played hard, and I know they will again. I think we’ll be pretty competitive.”

“I think we can turn our record around, at least,” Smietanski said. “We had more depth last year, but we have a solid seven this year. Meyer, Medina and Schultz are all strong in there.

“I’m looking forward to playing with my class. Last year, it was mostly seniors.”

Hespell anticipates Smietanski running the show.

“Matt has had a good summer,” Hespell said. “He has to play the point for us. He won’t be allowed to commit fouls. He can’t come off the floor.”

“My role will be to run the offense and get everyone involved,” Smietanski said. “I know I’ll be playing against quickness. I’m very comfortable with that. I’ve been doing that forever.”

Lockport, of course, is the longest-running rival of the Joliet Township schools. But even though Central and West are moving from the SouthWest Suburban Blue to the Southwest Prairie Conference, the Porters have both on the schedule.

“We’re playing West early and Central in January, I believe,” Hespell said. “I wanted to keep playing both of them. Jeff [Corcorcan, the former Central coach] and I talked about keeping our series going before he stepped down.”

Bolingbrook, meanwhile, is a SouthWest Suburban foe that, as usual, has attracted Hespell’s attention.

“Joliet West and Bolingbrook are two heavyweights,” he said. “That’s what we want, to face them and aspire to get to their level. What’s the saying – the rising tide lifts all boats.”

Hespell said the Lockport tradition, the ability to compete against teams the caliber of Joliet West and Bolingbrook, is alive and well.

“We talk about Lockport’s tradition all the time,” he said. “The tradition is something we embrace.”

“I grew up watching Karrington Ward and Richaun Holmes play,” Smietanski said of two of the Porters’ former stars. “Lately, Lockport sports have been below average. We’re trying to start it back up with the basketball program.

“I think we can get it done.”