Dec. 11--Recent history boosted Marian Central's confidence before last season's Class 3A state playoffs.
The Hurricanes had reached the 3A sectional semifinals the previous season, and despite a subpar 13-15 regular-season record, Marian Central's players and coaches imagined its regional semifinal contest against Woodstock would be a minor obstacle en route to defending their regional crown.
Final score: Woodstock 62, Marian Central 54.
The Hurricanes never led after the first quarter.
"I think we overlooked Woodstock and thought all that we had to do was show up to beat them," Marian Central coach Curtis Price said. "We were definitely hurt because we thought that was a game we should've won, but it's not always about how much skill you have, but how you mentally prepare yourself. We didn't come into that game prepared enough."
The Hurricanes' returning starters -- Adam Pischke, Sam Ohlrich and Thomas Kaufmann -- kept the memory of the disappointing loss alive.
Marian Central, which hosts Marian Catholic on Friday, is 5-0 this season.
"Going into last season, we expected to be a sectional championship contender, but we just overlooked Woodstock," Ohlrich said. "It was devastating to lose to them, but it's been a lot of motivation for this season. We're a lot more business-like now."
So far, the Hurricanes' intensity has been top-notch.
The 5-foot-10 Pischke, a three-year starter, added a mid-range shot and floater to his game after averaging 18.9 points and 4.1 assists and drilling 65 3-pointers last season.
"I think Adam is one of the best-kept secrets in the state," Price said. "He's a terrific point guard, and I think he ranks right up there with any point guard in our state. As he continues to play this season, more people are going to discover how good he is.
"He's become more of a vocal guy on the court, directs the players and that has made his game better."
Ohlrich, a junior center, said he added 10 to 15" pounds to his 6-9 frame, allowing him to become more of an inside-outside threat.
Price, a former standout at DePaul from 1988-93, slightly altered Marian Central's offense to fit Pischke's ability to push the ball. The Hurricanes' rotation can go 10-deep, with Marian Central averaging 65.4 points per game.
Pischke opened the season with 31 and 32-point onslaughts and tops the team in scoring (23.9 points), assists (2.4) and 3-pointers made (11). Meanwhile, Ohlrich is averaging 12.6 points, 11 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per contest.
"Our new system gives us a lot more freedom, and I'm starting to play outside a lot more," Ohlrich said. "It's a lot of fun."
Price admitted that he sometimes catches himself being a fan watching his team push the tempo.
"We like to get out and run," he said. "We let Adam go. We have a very exciting style of play. We are a fun team to watch. If people get a chance, they should watch these guys. We're up here in Woodstock. If you are looking for a fun basketball game, these are definitely the kids to watch."
Pischke said the Hurricanes have another motivating chip driving them. Victories over quality teams, such as Marian Catholic, can help the team make a splash.
"I think we all know we're playing a lot of teams that get more hype and publicity than us," he said. "That's motivation when we play them, to show that we can hang with them and we're just as good as those other teams."
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
