Lockport Boys Basketball: Inside the 2022-23 season

With their crazy banners and funny shenanigans, L-town, the student section at Lockport, has been loud and proud this basketball season. They have a reason to be, for the Lockport Boys Basketball team is back, and they have a statement to make. With a record of 14-9, the boys are making quite a show so far this season. Lockport is hopeful to see these boys go the distance during the playoffs.

Last basketball season, Lockport had an overall record of 17-14. The boys played hard and were led by some great players, including Ethan Gallagher, Anthony Munson, and Julius Smith— who is famously known for his dunking video during the game against Thornridge. One player that made an especially strong showing during the 2021-22 season was Adam Labuda. Only a junior at the time, Labuda played on the varsity team.

"Last year, we started off really strong. Then after that, we really cooled down; we got to the regional and played against Plainfield and lost by one point." He added, "In practice last year, we didn't try as hard as we should have. We didn't have the energy we needed, and we ended up losing some games we should have won. It was definitely a mindset thing."

Many lessons were learned during the 2021-22 season. In 2023, the boys know they need to have a new approach.

Lockport has been the underdog in sports before, and the boys' basketball team is no exception. But in classic Lockport fashion, they are proving many people wrong this 2022-23 season. Aaron Hubbard, one of the videographers for Lockport Township High School, talked to me about that underdog mentality.

"We have some talented athletes. There has been some talk that our basketball team won't be good this year, but the boys keep grinding and fighting to have a successful season."

Evan Dziadkowiec, a junior and point guard, is rising to the occasion this season. Dziadkowiec's main home is the volleyball court, but he told me his love for basketball remains strong. On varsity, Dziadkowiec knows he must make a statement; he has been doing that repeatedly this season. "Some strengths this year are definitely our guards. We are very guard heavy. We also have a lot of shooting and playmaking going on," Dziadkowiec explained. That statement is true, for many of the guards this year are very talented in their own right.

One of those guards is Andrew Gallagher— the younger brother of Ethan Gallagher—who has seen not only success on the basketball court but also on the football field. After an impressive football season, Gallagher has high hopes for this basketball season. He expressed to me that "We do what we do. This year we are running up and down the court more. I think we are pretty good at that. Since we are a smaller team, our coach is using us to our strengths, which I am very appreciative of."

Matt Kajmowicz, another videographer for Lockport, expressed the strengths of the guards he has seen from the sidelines. He mentions other names when talking about this season. "We definitely get out hot each game. We have some great shooters like Jalen Falcon, Adam Labuda, and Quinton Hunter; they are our lead scorers."

Not only have the guards helped out during games, but also the people down low. Labuda, a senior and forward, gave another teammate a shoutout. "Caden Schoolcraft is our center down low." Labuda proudly smiled as he added, "He knows how to play the game."

Although the boys have improved from last season, there are still some inconsistencies that they hope to fix. Labuda explained, "The pace we run the offense, the shots we take; we can be inconsistent at times."

Dziadkowiec added another area they hope to improve. "Defensively, we are not bad, but we could be better."

Gallagher also expressed to me some similar ideas. "Defense we can improve on, but we have been working on it, and our coach is getting on us about that during practice. Some teams we play twice, so we gotta get those shakes out now." Despite this, the boys do not plan on backing down or shying away from the challenge. The defense is improving as the season progresses.

Labuda praised the team's defense by saying, "We move together as a unit now; we have been shutting teams down. I don't think many teams have been able to score thirty-five points against us."

The team atmosphere is the most crucial aspect of this season for everyone involved. These boys have a sense of brotherhood; Dziadkowiec and Gallagher's friendship is a prime example.
"This is our eighth year playing basketball together," Gallagher told me. He chuckled as he said, "I know what he is going to do before he does it." Dziadkowiec sang his friend's praises by saying, "It's really fun. We have played on the same travel team and have been playing on the same school team. It just connects and clicks so well."

Labuda added to that sentiment by explaining, "We are all super close. I have been on this team for almost two years now. All the seniors I have been playing with since freshman year. I have full trust in every single one of them that they're working their hardest and making the best plays."

Kajmowicz and Hubbard recognize that brotherhood while on the sidelines with their cameras. "It's definitely electric," Kajmowicz told me with a smile. Hubbard continued those same thoughts by telling me, "The media days are always fun for the players. It is great to see them get hyped up throughout the season." Both do an excellent job documenting this brotherhood between the players through their pictures and videos.

As for the rest of the season, the boys have high hopes. "I can see us definitely being a good playoff team. We gotta keep improving, but there is a lot of potential for our team," Dziadkowiec explained.

Labuda added, "If we can keep up the defense that we have been playing, as well as elevate our offense, we can be a dangerous team and make a far run in the playoffs. If we can get our offense and defense on the same level, we will be a very good team."

From the media's perspective, Kajmowicz explained, "We have some tough competition in our region like Joliet West, but the boys are continuing to stay confident."

Gallagher expressed that confidence by saying, "We were good last year, but this year I think we will be better." That confident mindset is vital, and it has been consistent throughout this season.

All in all, these boys are hopeful for a season to remember. Hubbard explained, "At the end of the day, they want to fight for each game. The players are hungry and want to be successful."