Boys Basketball: Transfer Martin Macenis a big addition for Willowbrook

BATAVIA – Martin Macenis is what he goes by, but in his parent's native country the first name is spelled Martynas.

"My family's Lithuanian," Macenis said. "That's how they say it. They were born there."

Either way, Macenis is a name to remember.

The rangy 6-foot-5 rising senior transferred to Willowbrook from south suburban Stagg after his dad moved. Macenis is just the kind of player the Warriors could use, after graduating All-Area forward Ethan Schuemer off last year's sectional finalist.

Macenis showcased some of his guard-like skills Friday at the 14th Annual Hoop Mountain Shootout at Batavia. Willowbrook went 2-1 in pool play, and led Rockford Auburn by double digits in its only loss.

"It's a learning experience," Macenis said.

Macenis is learning his new teammates.

He knows one player well. Willowbrook guard Matas Masys has been teammates with Macenis on AAU, and with a Lithuanian junior team.

Masys, though, was not at Hoop Mountain as he's out of town on a visit to Brown University.

Macenis got a glimpse of Willowbrook last year, as the Warriors played at the Stagg Tournament.

"Willowbrook plays at a lot higher speed [than Stagg]," Macenis said. "We played them last year, they were pretty good."

The Warriors already returned a decent nucleus off last year's team that won the program's first regional title since 2004. Masys and brothers Sam and Scotty Tumilty return. Junior Everett Stubblefield, who averaged double digits after a call-up to varsity last year and opened eyes in a sectional win over Naperville North, could be one to watch for a breakout season. Stubblefield, an explosive perimeter scorer, played through a turned ankle at Batavia.

Willowbrook went 5-1 at Plainfield East, and 4-2 at Oswego East.

"I thought overall we played well [at Batavia]," Willowbrook coach Chris Perkins said. "We're short-handed. Matas is visiting Brown, and another starter Jack Hines is on a baseball travel team in Kansas City. But I thought the guys played hard and we competed. Too may turnovers we have to clean up. We got steals, got in transition a lot."

Perkins first learned that Macenis was moving in after he registered for school a week before the Willowbrook basketball camp.

He's 6-5, but Macenis is listed as a guard. And plays like one.

Macenis runs the floor well, and handles the ball with ease. He also has a smooth perimeter shot for a high school player his size.

"Nice, solid player, good addition, seems to fit in with the guys," Perkins said. "He's been with us for about two weeks. He's still getting acclimated but adds another playmaker with his height. He definitely adds a dimension to our team."

Macenis doesn't have any offers currently, but he is in frequent contact from coaches at the Division II level, and a few Division Is.

"He's still learning everybody's game," Perkins said. "We're calling out sets that he doesn't know, but that's what summer is for. He can shoot it, he can handle the ball and he can get on the block and defend."