Before making his playoff debut Monday night, Oswego freshman Ethan Vahl got some advice from teammate Dasean Patton.
It was the same spiel that Patton, a senior forward, has been giving Vahl all season.
“Really, just go out there and play your hardest,” Patton said. “My four years came really fast, so just go out there and play your hardest every game.”
That seems to be Vahl’s default setting. The precocious point guard looked at ease in tallying 12 points, a game-high six rebounds and two assists as the host 15th-seeded Panthers rolled past 18th-seeded Plainfield Central 60-29 in a Class 4A Waubonsie Valley Regional quarterfinal.
Oswego (12-19) advances to play second-seeded Waubonsie (29-2) at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the semifinals.
The Panthers beat Plainfield Central (2-28) twice during the regular season and thus were heavy favorites entering Monday’s postseason opener. Oswego controlled the action from the get-go as Vahl assisted on a layup by sophomore guard Graham Schwab to kick off the scoring.
Vahl had five points, including a 3-pointer, and four rebounds in the beginning 16-3 run.
“It was exciting,” Vahl said. “First playoff game, got the win. I bring a lot of energy, I would say.
“Also, I like to get my teammates better.”
Vahl did a good job of that against the Wildcats, making sure everyone got involved.
Six players, including all five starters, scored during a first half that saw Patton score nine of his game-high 13 points to stake Oswego to a 34-10 halftime lead.
Patton, a three-year varsity player, has been impressed with the poise shown by Vahl, who made 5 of 8 shots Monday.
“Being a varsity point guard is a lot, and him being a freshman and what he is doing right now is really awesome,” Patton said. “He’s leading our team. He’s getting everybody going.
“I really like the way he has been playing.”
Vahl and reserve guard MJ Johnson, who made both of his shots and contributed four points against the Wildcats, are the only freshmen on Oswego’s roster.
They have fit right in with their older teammates like Patton and senior center Hunter O’Neill, who came off the bench Monday to score 11 points on 5 for 6 shooting.
“I’m very grateful for being a freshman on varsity,” Vahl said. “The seniors really accepted me into this program. They just have a lot of love for me.”
That figures to continue in the coming years. Patton, who has offers from North Central College, North Park and Carthage, won’t be around to see Vahl’s progress, but he’s confident it is coming.
“He’s going to be awesome,” Patton said. “I think he’s going to be one of the best players around because of what he’s doing right now as a freshman on varsity.
“He’s still got three more years to improve, so I think when he’s a senior, he’s going to be really ready to go.”
Vahl knows the Panthers must be ready to go from the opening tip against Waubonsie, which routed Oswego 76-42 on Dec. 14. It’s why he came out with urgency against Plainfield Central.
The Panthers will be big underdogs Wednesday, but that’s just fine with Patton.
“I’m really glad we played them at the beginning of the season,” Patton said. “They’re one of the top teams in the state, so it was a good wake-up call playing them earlier this year, so we really know what we need to do.”
Vahl knows what he must do Wednesday — and in the future.
“I’m still looking forward to getting better,” Vahl said. “There’s always room for that, and I’m just going to keep working.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
