For good reason, coaches appreciate players like Oswego East’s Andrew Pohlman.
The 6-foot-4 senior guard puts up good numbers for the Wolves, although scoring isn’t necessarily top of mind for the two-sport star who had a strong season at safety and wide receiver in football.
Playing with a broken nose for the second time in as many seasons, Pohlman likely leads the team in floor burns from diving for loose balls. He brings that type of leadership and hustle.
“Andy is tenacious,” Oswego East coach Ryan Velasquez said. “That guy is such a competitor. He brings a football mentality to the basketball court, that toughness, more so that mental toughness.
“He’s a great leader and a special kid. I hope more come through our doors just like him. The effort is off the charts.”
Nothing changed in that regard Saturday — except for Pohlman’s jersey — in the Wolves’ 60-46 Southwest Prairie West victory over crosstown rival Oswego.
Blood on his shirt from a cut on his lip forced the wardrobe change in the second half of the game at Oswego East. Pohlman finished with eight points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals.
Junior guard Mason Lockett scored a game-high 14 points to lead the Wolves (12-5, 6-1). Senior guard Reggie McWaine came off the bench with 12 points. Senior center Torrin Ross added nine.
Freshman guard Ethan Vahl tallied 14 points for Oswego (7-8, 3-4), while senior forward Dasean Patton chipped in with 13. The Panthers missed 16 free throws and were outrebounded 38-12.
Winning the board battle was big.
“We knew it was the crosstown rivalry, so we’ve gotta give it a hundred times more than they give it,” Lockett said. “Every time the ball hit the rim or the glass and came off, we had to go get our hands on it before they did.”
Lockett said the Wolves look for leadership and a typically gritty performance from Pohlman, who is averaging 6.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.9 steals and 2.3 deflections this winter.
“Every practice, he’ll get on the ground before everybody,” Lockett said. “He’s our glue guy. He’s like our Draymond Green — leads our team in everything.
“Our guys see him doing those things and think, ‘If he can do it, I’ll do it, too.’”
Pohlman broke his nose Dec. 21 against DePaul Prep in a showcase at Whitney Young.
“I think I tried to do a Euro step and, obviously, I didn’t do it well enough,” said Pohlman, who was called for a charge on the collision with a defender. “He didn’t move and I think I went nose first into him. It was almost a year to the day after the first time.
“I was kind of hoping it got pushed back this way (right) so it recentered, but both times it went this way (left).”
As far as the future goes, Pohlman will likely play football in college. He currently has a Division I offer from Valparaiso and Division II offers from Hillsdale in Michigan and Saint Anselm in New Hampshire.
Patrick Molinari, an assistant coach for Oswego East in both sports, believes Pohlman has the IQ for football and basketball that is next level.
“This is my 20th year and he is one of the top five kids I’ve had the opportunity to coach,” Molinari said. “No matter if it’s football or basketball, he puts everything on the line. He plays recklessly.
“His body is meaningless to him when he’s out there. He lays it all on the line. He’s so smart it helps him get in position to make a lot of the hustle plays. He’s got a relentless mode. The kind of kid it’s an honor to coach.”
