Johnsburg’s Zach Toussaint skittered down the lane and tossed up a shot before getting knocked to the floor, a fairly regular occurrence for the sophomore guard.

“I want him on our team,” a woman cheering for Streamwood said. “He’s fearless!”

Everybody would like to have Toussaint with the season he is putting together. He is scoring 24.6 points a game, led Jacobs’ Hinkle Holiday Classic in scoring by 21 points and has helped the Skyhawks to a 6-6 record.

As good as Toussaint has been, Johnsburg coach Mike Toussaint sees a lot more coming from his nephew.

“He’s smart; he knows the game; he shoots it really well from anywhere,” Mike Toussaint said. “He controls the pace of the game pretty well. His release is like (former Skyhawks girls player) Melissa Dixon. He gets it off quick.”

Zach Toussaint, who is generously listed at 6-foot, was with the varsity to start last season but wound up playing most of the season with the sophomores, lighting up teams for 20-plus points a game.

“He wasn’t physically ready. He just didn’t have that confidence,” Mike Toussaint said. “It’s hard for a freshman to fit in and want the ball. He’s grown up. He knows the game really well.”

After offseason training with Zac Boster of Pure Sweat Basketball and a summer travel schedule with Kessel Heat, Toussaint was ready this season.

“I went up, and I went back down (last season),” Zach Toussaint said. “That really pushed me in the offseason to try and come out and totally improve, which I have. I have a lot more confidence than last year.”

Toussaint always has been an adept shooter. His work with Boster, a former player from Huntley who trains several local players, has added elements to his game like the moves that caught the Streamwood woman’s attention.

“Zach has really improved his in-between game,” Boster said. “He has the ability to get to that mid-range jump shot. He’s got a few more options around the rim. He’s slight of build, but he’s able to evade defenders and finish over defenders with that floater. That in-between game and his ability to finish is definitely opening up opportunities for him to get even cleaner looks on 3s as well.”

Toussaint has is hitting 42.1 percent on 3s (48 of 114), 49.5s percent on field goals and 76.3 percent on free throws. He finished the Hinkle Classic with 126 points in five games. His best game was a 37-point effort in the Consolation B bracket semifinal win against Marian Central. He dropped in 28 in the Skyhawks’ final game against Streamwood, a 67-62 loss.

At one point in that game, he pulled up just inside the volleyball line and dropped a 3. Referee Bill Orris cracked a smile of appreciation as he retreated down the floor after that basket.

“When I come into a game, I just focus on what I can do to help my teammates win a game,” Toussaint said. “Creating for my teammates, I try to get everyone involved, and when I have the open shot, I’m going to take it.”

Mike Toussaint likes Zach’s knack for sensing if 3s are not falling and adjusting with drives to the basket. Boster said that was an emphasis in training, even when Zach, who, his uncle admits, is really 5-10, knows he likley will get knocked around.

“We encourage that,” Boster said. “We try to simulate that as best we can in workouts. There’s always a body on you. He’s gotten a lot more comfortable, and he’s almost craving contact when he attacks the rim now. I’ve been really impressed with him so far this season.”

There is a part of Zach Toussaint’s game that needs work.

“His weakness is defending,” Mike Toussaint said. “He has to learn how to defend on the ball.”

But offensively, Zach’s offseason work has made it easy on his uncle and the coaching staff, which includes Zach’s father, Eric.

“He works harder than anybody,” Mike Toussaint said. “He works with Zac Boster even on Sundays during the season. He puts in the time. I don’t have to worry about, ‘Oh, that’s the coach’s nephew.’ There ain’t no questions. They know he belongs.”