John Brown IV didn’t necessarily expect to get so many good looks in Homewood-Flossmoor’s big SouthWest Suburban Conference game against Lockport on Friday, Dec. 19.

“I was just going to play hard either way, even if I didn’t get (shots),” the sophomore wing said. “I’m always ready.” 

Brown led the Vikings with 18 points, including four 3-pointers, in a 64-57 win over  Lockport. That’s a role he didn’t get the chance to play as a freshman on the varsity bench a year ago but he said he’s comfortable being the scorer if the situation calls for it.

“It feels great but it’s a team sport so I need to pass the ball a little bit more. I didn’t hit some people that were open tonight,” Brown said. “I’m going to keep growing. I’m only a sophomore.” 

Homewood-Flossmoor (9-0, 5-0) opened the game well, jumping out to a 16-10 first quarter lead, but quickly lost it. The Vikings only scored three points in the second quarter and the game was tied at the break. 

Coach Brandin Brown said the Porters defensive plan was solid and his team failed to execute late in the first half like it did at the start of the game. 

“The second quarter, they pretty much stuck to their guns and we played right into it,” Brandin Brown said. “Having a young group, as the course of the game goes on they can kind of forget what got them there.”

The second half was a different story. H-F built a lead as big as 14 in the final frame with rebounding and sharp shooting from Brown and Ethan Jackson. 

“We were going too slow in the first half. We played their way,” John Brown said. “Coach told us to play our way and we came out that way in the second half. We had to compete, especially to protect our home court.” 

Rebounding was a key and the Vikings were dominant. They created a few second chances for themselves but allowed the Porters (7-2, 2-2) almost none. Coach Brown said that was an emphasis in practice that week.

“To the kids’ credit, they responded to that,” the coach said. “For us, as a staff, we can demand certain things but it’s up to them if they choose to buy into it. I give them all the credit in the world.” 

Another point that jumps off the stat sheet is team leader Darrius Hawkins, Jr. failing to score until the final four minutes of the game. He actually never registered a field goal, tallying only four free throws.

The sophomore impacted the game in other ways, though, nearly reaching double figures in both assists and rebounds.

“He makes us go and the message I continue to have with him is even when you’re not scoring the basketball, your imprint has to be on this game,” the coach said. “Tonight, I thought it was. The ball wasn’t going into the basket and to his credit, he didn’t force it.”

Jackson scored 13 and Marvin Douglas had 10. Nedas Venckus led all scorers with 24 for the Porters. 

The Vikings were the only remaining undefeated conference team, as of Dec. 19.