Oak Forest’s Robbie Avila (21)controls the ball against Lane. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times
There is a universal appreciation for Robbie Avila’s game that is uncommon. Opposing coaches, referees and fans marvel at the way Oak Forest’s 6-8 senior plays basketball.
There is a universal appreciation for Robbie Avila’s game that is uncommon. Opposing coaches, referees and fans marvel at the way Oak Forest’s 6-8 senior plays basketball.
His mind always appears to be a few steps ahead of everyone else on the court. And he has the skills to pull off his vision.
“It’s amazing how he runs our team,” Bengals coach Matt Manzke said. “He brings the whole program to another level. There’s been multiple times this year where he’s suggested that we need to do something different on the court. And we do it and it’s the right thing to do.”
Avila, an Indiana State recruit, had 30 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and four steals in Oak Forest’s 80-60 win against Lane on Saturday in the Team Rose Classic at Mount Carmel.
That’s a typical stat line for Avila.
“I could tell that he knew all of our sets,” Lane coach Nick LoGalbo said. “He’s just a really impressive kid.”
Avila has a lot of basketball ahead of him. But don’t be surprised to see him coaching some day.
“I’ve picked up a thing or two,” Avila said. “I’ve been playing basketball forever. I enjoy coaching and helping teammates out so it might be something I think about in the future.”
Oak Forest (9-0) is off to an impressive start this season. Avila was expected to be one of the state’s best players but the team around him is much better than anticipated.
“Over the summer we struggled a little bit, everybody knows that,” Avila said. “We got in there in the fall as a team and we’ve been working hard and it shows. We are really committed to keeping people out of the paint and getting on the ball [defensively] on the catch and not allowing any easy shots.”
The Bengals were excellent defensively against Lane (8-2) and only turned the ball over six times.
“We’ve got some athletes and some smart kids that understand what they’re supposed to do and where they are supposed to be,” Manzke said. “So when you have smart guys in the right spot and a couple guys that can create a little bit of chaos you have something.”
Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times
Oak Forest’s Fred Robinson IV (5) takes the ball to the basket past Lane.
Guard Fred Robinson has taken his game to another level this season. The Oak Forest senior had 28 points and eight rebounds. He’s a strong guard that excels at getting to the rim.
“Fred is the real deal,” Manzke said. “He’s been consistently terrific so far this season.”
Senior Taurean Mickens added 12 points for the Bengals and Drew Pagnusat, a three-year starter, had five points and four rebounds for Oak Forest.
“Everybody knows their niche on the team and they have bought into it,” Manzke said. “That’s always the key to being successful.”
Robinson admitted he is a little surprised that his team is unbeaten this far into the season.
“We’ve come a long way,” Robinson, a William Woods recruit, said. “We came together. It’s all about energy. We all share the ball and if we keep playing as a team it will all be good.”
Joseph Perona scored 12 off the bench for Lane and Stephen Goonan added 12 points.
