Junior guard Jayden McDonald took Homewood-Flossmoor’s brutal shooting start personally.
In a way, it was perfect timing Tuesday night for the Vikings as McDonald has emerged this season as a shooting specialist and offensive spark plug as a first-year starter on the varsity.
“I knew I had to pick it up a notch because I wasn’t going at my full potential,” he said. “We were in a horrible slump during that first half and I was passing up too many open shots.”
McDonald went from pass to play against upset-minded Sandburg.
He made five 3-pointers in producing a team-best 17 points to spark the Vikings to a 51-47 SouthWest Suburban Conference victory over the host Eagles in Orland Park.
Homewood-Flossmoor (14-1, 6-0) trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half. Junior guard Danny Ruffin Jr. complemented McDonald by scoring 10 of his 12 points in the fourth quarter.
Senior twins Will and Jonah Johnson nearly pulled off a huge upset for Sandburg (10-6, 3-3).
Will Johnson, a forward, scored 11 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter for the Eagles. Jonah Johnson, also a forward, contributed 11 points before fouling out with 3:37 to play.
McDonald, meanwhile scored 14 points in the second half. He hit two 3-pointers in each of the third and fourth quarters.
“I wouldn’t say J-Mac is a volume scorer, but he’s a pure scorer and brings a lot of energy to the team,” Ruffin said. “His threes really gave us a boost and opened up the game for me a lot.
“I’m a driver, and people see how we play together. If they collapse on me, it’s open for him.”
H-F coach Brandin Brown pointed out that after the Eagles effectively collapsed their breathing space, the shooting of McDonald tilted the floor in the Vikings’ favor.
“Sandburg did a great job of taking away what we wanted to do, but when Jayden shoots like that, it opens so many things for us,” he said. “J-Mac had a great holiday tournament at Pontiac.
“He did a great job of realizing, if the early shots weren’t falling, he had to generate points.”
McDonald also played wide receiver in football. That sport helped develop his physicality, power and strength. He grew up in a large family, where basketball was the connecting thread.
The 6-foot-2 McDonald blends size, quickness and an excellent feel of the game. If his outside shot has been his calling card, developing as a secondary playmaker remains a point of emphasis.
Likewise, McDonald stepped up with terrific ballhandling and passing in the fourth quarter after sophomore point guard Darrius Hawkins Jr. missed the final 10 minutes with a leg injury.
“I’ve really worked hard to be a playmaker,” said McDonald, who added five rebounds, three assists and two steals against Sandburg. “I want to help get people open, because the way I shoot, players always want to deny me the ball.
“I just have to work on moving and setting those screens and setting up those dribble handoffs with Danny. I can do so much out of that.”
A self-described “goofy kid,” McDonald has a naturally playful personality off the floor.
“People sometimes think I’m nonchalant,” he said. “But I love listening to music and playing video games. Even when I’m not, I enjoy talking.”
“He’s funny, but he’s very serious on the court,” Ruffin said of McDonald. “He’s a great teammate. I probably had five or six turnovers. He picked me up every time and told me to keep playing.
“He really helped me mentally get back into the game in the fourth quarter.”
Brown also gives McDonald, who switched it on at the right moment, the green light if he’s open.
“Coach got on me for not shooting the ball when I was open,” McDonald said. ”The three is what I love the most about the game. I couldn’t afford to pass it up.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.