Young, aggressive and unselfish Farragut beats Proviso East

Sophomore guard Malik Williams thought he would have a bench role for Farragut this season, but then star junior Reggie Strong transferred to St. Joseph and a major starting spot opened up.

“It was very unexpected when Reggie transferred,” Williams said. “[Admirals coach William Nelson] told me I had to step up and help take the pressure off [senior guard Aaron Strong]. Every night I’ve been in the gym working with Aaron so we could get a feel for each other.”

Williams has done the job. He’s a very solid ball-handler, an excellent defensive player and he makes good decisions.

On Saturday against Proviso East at Orr’s Breast Cancer Shootout things were amped up a level. Strong had fouled out of the game and Williams found himself at the free-throw line with the game in his hands in the final seconds.

He drained both shots to seal a 76-72 win for Farragut, which is a perfect 8-0 this season against non-Public League super conference teams.

“I’m comfortable in those pressure situations,” Williams said. “You just have to go up there, take your time and zone everything else out and take the two shots.”

Strong scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds to lead the Admirals (14-6), who played aggressively and unselfishly. Farragut out-rebounded the Pirates 51-33 and led by as much as 11 in the fourth quarter.

PHOTO GALLERY

Farragut’s Derrick Clark loses the ball going to the basket against Proviso East, Saturday 01-26-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Farragut’s Aaron Strong (1) brings the ball down court, Saturday 01-26-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Farragut’s Malik Williams (13) gets a layup against Proviso East, Saturday 01-26-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Farragut’s Malik Williams (13) gets caught in a trap against Proviso East, Saturday 01-26-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Farragut’s Aaron Strong (1) passes the ball away late in the second half, Saturday 01-26-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Farragut’s Johnathan Jones (12) brings the ball across half court, Saturday 01-26-19. Worsom Robinson/For then Sun-Times.

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Farragut’s Johnathan Jones (12) makes his way to the basket, Saturday 01-26-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Farragut’s Johnathan Jones (12) is called for over the back, Saturday 01-26-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Proviso East coach Donnie Boyce talks to Michael Osborne (24) at the sideline, Saturday 01-26-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Farragut’s Mikqwon Jones (25) tries to hold on to the ball, Saturday 01-26-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Proviso East’s James Hobson (2) pulls up a three pointer against Farragut, Saturday 01-26-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Proviso East’s Devin Spencer (1) controls the offense against Farragut, Saturday 01-26-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Farragut’s Derrick Clark (15) gets up and grabs a rebound, Saturday 01-26-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Farragut’s Johnathan Jones (12) blocks Proviso East’s Devin Spencer (1) as he goes to the basket, Saturday 01-26-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Proviso East’s James Hobson (2) gets fouled hard going up for two against Farragut, Saturday 01-26-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Farragut coach William Nelson watches his team pull away, Saturday 01-26-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Proviso East’s James Hobson (2) runs down a rebound from going out of bounds, Saturday 01-26-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Proviso East’s Keashon Fancher (15) saves the ball from going out of bounds, Saturday 01-26-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Farragut’s Malik Williams (13) cuts off the baseline on Proviso East’s Devin Spencer (1), Saturday 01-26-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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“We showed great character and great resilience to come back but the lack of fundamentals, the lack of understanding time and game situations came back to bite us,” Proviso East coach Donnie Boyce said. “They were the more aggressive team. It is hard to overcome any team when you give up almost 30 offensive rebounds.”

Nelson is getting contributions from several freshmen and sophomores. Derrick Clark, a 6-3 sophomore, had 12 points and nine rebounds. Freshman Mikell Jones scored seven and freshman Mikqwon Jones added eight points. Williams finished with 13 points and four rebounds.

“They’ve been playing all season so they know the system now and are doing pretty good,” Nelson said. “But they are freshmen and sophomores. I know what I have for the future. Right now we just need to suck it up and try to make a run.”

Senior Donavan Jones had 11 points and 14 rebounds for the Admirals and 6-5 senior Demetrius Schaffer played his first minutes of the season. He’s been out with a finger injury.

“It’s been a rocky, tough season but we are getting through it,” Strong said. “Everyone thought we would be down because of the injuries but the young guys stepped up. Everyone wants it, everyone wants to work. We are going to make a run in the state and city playoffs.”

Farragut hasn’t lost to an average or below-average team this season and can’t be overlooked in the upcoming city playoffs. The Admirals also could be a force in Class 3A, despite all of their youth they are in a very winnable sectional.

“We’ve been talking about that,” Nelson said. “The seniors remember we lost to North Lawndale the last couple of years and we can’t do that again. If we get past that game we can deal with the rest of it as it comes. But anybody can sneak up and get you if you aren’t focused. I’m not looking too far down the road.”

Senior James Hobson led Proviso East (16-7) with 29 points and junior Michael Osborne added 18. The Pirates beat a very good Downers Grove South team on Friday.

“Obviously we have been one of the dominant teams in our conference for a long time and I think sometimes our guys get a little over confident,” Boyce said. “They get a win like that last night and forget that it takes multiple efforts to beat a team like Farragut.”