2022 Daily Chronicle Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Lane McVicar

When the DeKalb boys basketball team opened the season at the Oswego Hoops for Healing tournament, Lane McVicar posted a pair of 30-point games as the Barbs went 3-1.

But it was at that tournament McVicar said he realized he could do more to get his teammates involved. So while his scoring dipped, the Barbs won a DuPage Valley Conference title and their first regional championship in more than a decade.

“After the Thanksgiving tournament I realized I couldn’t do it all on my own,” said McVicar, the 2022 Daily Chronicle Boys Basketball Player of the Year. “I had back-to-back 30-point games, but after watching the film and stuff, I realized how open the other guys were. I just worked on finding those guys and getting them open as well.”

McVicar averaged 15 points, eight rebounds and 3.8 assists a game, earning a spot on the All-DVC first team for the second straight year.

The Barbs also claimed their first regional title since 2010, beating St. Charles North behind a barrage of 3-pointers. Tyler Westberg led the way with 29 points in the win.

“I haven’t really been on the court when either team was hot like that,” McVicar said. “For me it was so unreal. At one point I didn’t even go after the offensive rebound because I knew the ball was about to go in.”

The Barbs ended up falling to Larkin in a sectional championship game, 70-56.

DeKalb coach Mike Reynolds said McVicar did whatever it took for the Barbs to win games.

“He’s a kid that really wants to win,” Reynolds said. “I think after the Thanksgiving tournament he was able to see that giving up some of his shots would be better for the team. You saw his numbers decrease, offensive production-wise, but increase efficiency-wise. He was able to put winning first, and that’s what really, really good players are able to do.”

McVicar said he hasn’t finalized his college plans. He said he’s had some interest from NCAA Division I schools such as Indiana State and South Florida and a lot of interest from local Division II schools and junior colleges.

Wherever he ends up, Reynolds said his game will translate well to the college level.

“A lot of guys in high school are one-dimensional, whether it’s scoring or rebounding or whatever,” Reynolds said. “He has a well-rounded game. He can score at all three levels. ... He can defend multiple positions. He’s not afraid to play a physical-type game. All those things are going to benefit him as he goes to the college level.”

McVicar transferred into the program from South Elgin before last season. Reynolds said he did well behind veteran players such as 2021 Daily Chronicle Player of the Year, Trenton Kyler, and Jamarcus Winters.

And now, Reynolds said, the Barbs will need to replace the same qualities.

“He’s a guy who wants to win and is willing to do lots of different things in order to win,” Reynolds said. “Those guys are tough to replace. We had one in TK last year. We had one in Lane this year. We’ll have to find someone to step up and be that guy next year.”