Fresh off Oswego’s run to the Class 8A state championship game, junior guard Graham Schwab probably hasn’t quite shed his so-called football legs for his basketball legs quite yet.
The subject often comes up when a multisport athlete like Schwab transitions from one sport to the other. It’s especially true moving from football to basketball because the seasons can overlap.
Not to worry.
“My shots weren’t falling, but I’m still gonna play my hardest and give all my energy and effort,” Schwab said. “I’ll cheer on teammates, make good passes and play defense.
“Things like that take no talent — TNT, what coach is always talking about.”
Schwab started Saturday afternoon, coming on strong in the fourth quarter with two of his three steals and all five of his points as the host Panthers rallied for a 56-54 nonconference win over Waubonsie Valley.
Sophomore guard Ethan Vahl led Oswego (4-4) with 21 points, while sophomore forward Cole Jansons added nine. Senior guard Mariano Velasco, Schwab’s football buddy, chipped in with six points, three steals and three assists.
Velasco, the 2025 Beacon-News/Courier-News Football Player of the Year, took four days off before returning. He came off the bench Saturday, and his presence with Schwab gives a boost.
Second-year Oswego basketball coach Nick Oraham, with three football players on his roster, sought advice from a friend in Tom Livatino, who has been Loyola’s basketball coach for 16 years.
The Ramblers have played for a state title in football 14 times in that span.
“Obviously, he’s been going through this for a while now,” Oraham said of Livatino. “He said give those guys time if they need it, but some guys may want to jump right into it.”
Sophomore forward Kyler Payne helped Waubonsie (5-2) jump out to a 19-4 lead in the first quarter and finished with 17 points. Junior guard/forward Kris Mporokoso added 13 points,
The Warriors were still leading 49-40 entering the fourth quarter.
“We stayed together the whole game and believed in each other,” Schwab said. “Mariano can play defense and we trust our entire team. That makes it easy to come back.”
Oswego experienced the other side the previous night at Yorkville as the Foxes scored the final six points of a close game, pulling out a 46-43 decision.
The quick turnaround to Saturday afternoon was a blessing, according to Schwab.
“Honestly, you use it as motivation,” he said. “A tough game the night before, we’re eager to get here in the morning and make up for some mistakes you made the previous night.”
Being in shape for the stop-and-go action of football is different from the continuous running in basketball.
“I’m still a little bit out of shape,” Velasco said
Schwab — who plays fullback in football, in the backcourt in basketball and also pitches as part of a utility role in baseball — takes it all in stride.
Oraham wanted to give Velasco a break since he played both offense and defense in football.
“Mariano never came off the field in football,” Oraham said.
Oraham also wouldn’t change a thing about the fall-winter overlap issue for the Panthers.
“It builds some energy in the building, and I think now, it’s up to our guys to sustain that energy,” he said. “After that tough loss Friday, our guys showed they were resilient.
“Waubonsie came out hot. We were cold early on, but our guys fought and our assistants did a nice job in scouting. Credit to coach (Matt) Borrowman and coach (Jeff) Gilmour for the plan.”
Adding what the football players bring to the mix only helps.
“We’re constantly preaching defense and getting Mariano back, you look at his body and it’s different from last year,” Oraham said. “He’s embracing physicality. Graham is physical, and they’re both competitive.”
Schwab, meanwhile, believes the basketball team could match what football accomplished.
“Sky’s the limit,” he said. “We’re not looking back from here. We’re just gonna keep stringing together wins.”