Providence's Kozan Running Light Years Ahead of the Boys Basketball Galaxy

Kevin Kozan learned to walk last season.

Now, he is running up and down the floor. He also is running the show for a surging Providence Catholic High School boys basketball team.

Kozan, the Celtics’ 6-foot-1 junior point guard, scored a game-high 22 points in a 69-49 victory over Tinley Park on Wednesday night in New Lenox. He also used dribble penetration to break down the Titans’ defense and set up his teammates for scoring opportunities with his passing.

He delivered the ball like a quarterback—on time and on target.

And, when Tinley Park cut an 18-point deficit to 46-41 in the third quarter, Kozan took it upon himself to come up with a momentum-turning play for the Celtics. He drove hard into the lane, scored on a power move to the basket and was fouled by the Titans' Ryan Bunn.

Kozan sank the free to finish a three-point play that extended Providence’s lead to 50-41. In doing so, he demonstrated how far he has come in a very short time.

“Last year, I would have been scared to take that shot, and I wouldn’t have finished,” Kozan said. “But this year, I just went into him, and I got contact. I got the and-one, and I made the free throw.

“That was really big. They hit us. And, right away, we hit them back. They couldn’t hit us again.”

Providence coach Tim Trendel spoke about Kozan’s unselfish play and his determination to step up his game.

“He found his teammates, which we have stressed,” Trendel said. “It was a big key before the game. We’ve got to play as a team. Kevin (Kozan) found his teammates. He found some openings for them and got them some easy baskets.

“That’s what good players do, and he’s one of our better ones. He’s worked on his shot in the off-season. He’s shooting it much better this year, and his decision-making and his ability to tempo the game and slow things down is huge.”

Kozan was one of three Celtic players to reach double figures as Providence (10-4) won for the seventh time in its last nine games. Brian Oddo added 11 points. Mike Marietti finished with 10 points and eight rebounds.

Oddo and Marietti benefitted from Kozan’s crisp ball-handling and quick first step to the basket.

“I’ve improved on getting to the hole better and just working on my quickness,” Kozan said. “I’ve got to keep up with the other guys. Like, (Tinley Park), they were quick and very athletic and I’m not, so I’ve got to do stuff to make me stand out more than they do.”

He is running circles around Providence opponents.