Spinuzza's Dishes Serve Up Another Mustangs Victory

Danny Spinuzza is only eight games into his varsity basketball career, but coach Jay Baum has already paid him a huge compliment.

"He’s an amazing point guard,” Baum said of the 5-10 sophomore. “I think he’s the next coming of Bryan Mullins. He’s got a long way to go before he’s Bryan, but he reminds me of him.”

Mullins was the best point guard in school history, an All-Stater who went on to star at Southern Illinois and now plays pro ball in France.

What prompted the comparison? Spinuzza’s steady play in the early going raised eyebrows, especially the fact that he’s gotten steadily better.

Spinuzza had eight points, eight assists, four steals and three offensive rebounds to spark the Mustangs to an 86-41 demolition of Willowbrook Friday night in West Suburban Conference Gold Division action in Downers Grove. They did it despite being without their best player, guard Jerron Wilbut, who was serving a one-game suspension.

“It’s a new experience, varsity basketball, and I just try to come in and do whatever I can to benefit the team and just help them get the win,” Spinuzza said. “In the beginning I was a little nervous but as the games go on I’m getting more comfortable.”

Willowbrook’s best two players sat out with injuries, but the Warriors (1-6, 0-2) took a 2-0 lead on two free throws from Edvinas Michevicius. The Mustangs (7-1, 3-0) responded by scoring eight consecutive points and 14 of the next 17 and quickly settled into a rhythm.

Helped by a new 1-2-2 zone defense that produced 26 turnovers, 17 of them in the first half, Downers South actually improved its offensive output in each quarter, scoring 17 points in the first, 20 in the second, 23 in the third and 26 in the fourth. All 12 players who saw playing time for the Mustangs scored.

“We’re pleased that no matter what group of guys are in the game we play hard,” Baum said. “We try to play hard every game. Our defense was there and we’re sharing the ball.”

Spinuzza has the main responsibility of sharing the ball and he does it well, especially when his target is senior forward Kevin Honn, another player who will be a key to South’s fortunes.

Honn tallied 15 points, shooting 6 of 9 from the floor, and nearly all of his buckets were assisted by Spinuzza, including four in the third quarter, when Honn scored 10 of his points as the Mustangs extended their lead to 60-32.

“Dan is always attacking the basket and finding the open guy, so I just move to the open spot and I know he’ll pass it to me,” Honn said.

“I just drive the lane and I just look for open teammates and not really worry about points,” Spinuzza explained. “I’m just worried about [finding] teammates open and getting them the ball.”

Baum is pleased to see the chemistry between Spinuzza and Honn.

“Kevin Honn is so smart playing off the ball,” Baum said. “He knows where to go, when to cut and he can finish his shots [around the] basket. So Kevin and Danny are two kids that have a real feel for the game, who [are] along with Jamaal [Millison] our smartest players.”

Spinuzza can also shoot on occasion. He made 2 of 4 shots from the floor, including a three-pointer that was one of nine sunk by the Mustangs, who lit up the Warriors for 33 baskets on 68 attempts (48.5 percent). The hosts made 19 of 30 attempts in the second half alone, including four three-pointers by reserve guard Kevon James, who scored all of his 15 points after intermission.

Millison led Downers South with 17 points and four assists, while Jordan Cannon added seven points and five steals and Kevin Hall and Scott McNellis each scored six points. Robert Mara chipped in four points, four rebounds and four blocks for the Mustangs, who clearly approve of Spinuzza.

“It’s a lot [of responsibility] for a sophomore but I think he’s doing a good job,” Honn said. “Everybody likes him. He fits in well, he’s playing well, so it’s a good fit for him.”

The Mustangs are off until Dec. 27, when they travel to York for the Jack Tosh Holiday Tournament. Downers South is the defending champion.

"I think we’re playing pretty good,” Honn said. “We’re sharing the ball, playing hard on defense and offense, so it should be a good tournament. We’ve got a lot of people who can step up and play both defensively and offensively.”