Neuqua Valley senior John Bieber has no problem with taking accountability for his mistakes and shortcomings.
That’s a trait some adults don’t master.
Bieber, a 6-foot-5 forward/center, began the season in the starting lineup but lately is being used as the Wildcats’ sixth man.
“He comes off the bench now because he’s not rebounding,” Neuqua Valley coach Todd Sutton said. “So he’s going to have to learn how to rebound.”
Bieber scored nine points and had three rebounds on Wednesday but got beat on the boards after the Wildcats missed three potential game-tying 3-pointers on the same possession in the final minute of their 54-46 DuPage Valley Conference loss to visiting DeKalb in Naperville.
“I really thought I could have a bigger impact,” Bieber said. “Obviously, I just couldn’t grab the rebound at the end. That’s on me. I’ve just got to try to be better for my team. Rebounding is a really weak part of my game, and I’m trying to get after it every day in practice.”
Bieber said boxing out is the problem.
“Sometimes I find myself in the wrong position, and I’m just trying to get after it every day in practice, always asking for the coach’s opinion on what I should do,” he said.
That hasn’t gone unnoticed by Bieber’s teammates.
“John is a huge hard worker,” senior guard Colin Gerrity said. “I love the guy. He’s been stepping up and taking accountability, and in the future, we’re going to need him a lot. He’s going to be a huge piece.”
Bieber and his teammates have a huge sense of urgency with the start of the playoffs less than two weeks away. The Wildcats (20-8, 5-3) have lost four consecutive games, all by 10 points or less.
The Wildcats blew a 15-point lead against DeKalb (19-7, 4-4), which outscored them 29-6 over the final 12 minutes.
Neuqua Valley still looked to be in good shape after Bieber took a pass from Gerrity and scored inside for a 46-41 lead with 3:31 left in the fourth quarter. But the Wildcats didn’t score again.
“The next game matters,” Bieber said. “This game is over. We can’t change the result. But we need to get out of this funk that we’re in, and we’re really trying to stick together as a team.”
That’s especially important for such a veteran group. Of the nine players who saw action against DeKalb, eight are seniors, including the entire starting lineup.
So Bieber had a message for his teammates afterward.
“Keep your head up,” he said. “Bad attitude just leads to bad play, and I’m guilty of that as well. I was in a funk last weekend. I apologized to all my teammates, and right now I’m just trying to be the best teammate that I can.”
Will it be enough? The Wildcats have the talent, at least, to be a tough out in the playoffs.
“We can obviously win, but we can obviously lose,” Bieber said. “All these losses in a row really humbled us.
“I think it was something we needed before the playoffs. I really think we can get back to where we were during the holiday tournament that we won.”
Bieber is determined to do his part.
“I’m just trying to pick up all my teammates, and I really want us all to win,” he said. “This is my final season here at Neuqua, and I just want to make it as special as possible for me and all the seniors.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
