Homewood-Flossmoor senior Trelan Morrow is adjusting to a new role.
A starter the previous two seasons, Morrow now comse off the bench for the Vikings.
It has nothing to do with performance and more to do with his health.
The 5-foot-7 point guard was in a car accident the first day of practice and suffered a back injury.
He’s slowly progressing.
“I’m just staying focused and waiting for that time I’m 100 percent healthy,” Morrow said. “I’m about 75 or 80 percent right now. Whether I’m starting or coming off the bench, I try to bring energy.”
That’s precisely what Morrow did Friday during an 80-48 SouthWest Suburban crossover win over Thornridge in Flossmoor.
Morrow entered the game in the first quarter. He contributed a pair of free throws, a steal, a perfect alley-oop pass to Cortez King-Parks and converted a three-point play by the time the half ended.
H-F (5-0) led 39-8 at the half.
“I’m very good with it,” Morrow said of coming off the bench. “It doesn’t matter to me. Either way, I have to lead the way when I’m out there. Play my role and give a good example.”
H-F coach Marc Condotti liked what he saw Friday from Morrow.
“Trelan has handled coming off the bench pretty well,” Condotti said. “He wasn’t very consistent at the (Chicago Heights) Classic. He’s getting his legs back. He looks like he’s getting back on track.”
Thornridge (1-3) was without four starters for undisclosed reasons.
By the time Thornridge registered its first field goal —a 3-pointer by Demetri Woods (10 points) with 5:12 left in the second quarter — the Vikings led 32-6.
Thornridge was 2-for-20 from the field in the first half.
Thornridge coach Rocky Hill offered a “no comment” when asked about the Falcons’ depleted roster.
Condotti went to his bench early and often. Thirteen players scored for the Vikings.
Like Morrow (9 points), senior James Sterling Fields (7 points) provided a spark off the bench.
“Work hard and don’t let up,” Field said. “I work on helping my teammates score. I try to hustle every play.”
Jeffrey Boyd led H-F with 19 points, including five 3-pointers. Jarrett Tribble and King-Parks each supplied crowd-pleasing dunks.
“Thornridge didn’t offer a ton of resistance,” Condotti said. “But you still have to come out and play your game.”
Twitter @disabato
