Through the years, as he tried to formulate his game, sophomore forward Patrick Magan watched players with similar builds come through the boys basketball program at Burlington Central.
The 6-foot-5 Magan saw Drew Scharnowski, who’s now playing in college for Belmont, and teammate Jake Johnson hone their skills. And this winter, Magan is starting to make his mark.
“I think there’s a little pay it forward that I think happens in my program,” Rockets coach Brett Porto said. “We can pass down how we like to do things, so I think that helps initiate stuff.
“Magan has really come a long way this season, and he’s a crucial part to what we do.”
Magan made a 3-pointer and a layup to give the Rockets an early lead Friday night against Jacobs. The Rockets rolled from there, pulling away for a 71-44 Fox Valley Conference win.
Overall, Magan shot 6 of 8 and scored 13 points for Burlington Central (21-8, 12-4). Johnson led all scorers with 19 points and added seven rebounds. Patrick Shell tallied 17 points and seven rebounds and LJ Kerr contributed with 12 points.
Ben Jurzak scored 11 points to pace Jacobs (15-14, 6-10). Jordan O’Connor and Emaan Thomas added 10 points apiece.
Magan is well aware of the success other long, lanky players who can shoot from the outside have had at Burlington Central.
“I definitely look up to everyone that was a bigger guy shooting the three,” Magan said. “I know Drew shot the three. Jake shoots it. “(Jake is) a great guy on and off the court. I try to follow him and take after his game. That’s the same for all the seniors.
“I hope to pay that forward to the freshman class coming in next year.”
Unlike other players who developed an outside shot as the years went on, Magan’s calling card when he started with the Rockets was from the perimeter.
He’s starting to incorporate other aspects into his game, however.
“Just a great 3-point shooter for us, and now he’s starting to get to the basket more and use his length on defense more,” Porto said of Magan. “He’s challenging shots and tipping balls.
“That makes a huge difference in how we like to play.”
Making that progress all the more remarkable is the fact he missed much of the offseason with an injury and had to catch up when the season started.
“When I got back to practice, it was working hard as a team and getting right back into it,” he said.
Porto has been impressed with Magan’s improvement.
“Early on, he was getting the confidence back in his body and seeing what he can do,” Porto said of Magan. “He’s just growing and maturing both physically and with this group.
“One of the things that’s different about him from some of our other longer, lankier guys is his ability to shoot from the perimeter. That makes him really tough to guard. Hopefully he can keep improving because I think the sky is the limit for him.”
In the first matchup between the teams on Jan. 22, Jacobs took Burlington Central to overtime.
This time, the Rockets overwhelmed the Golden Eagles from the start. Jacobs did cut the deficit to 43-32 in the third quarter, but Burlington Central responded with a 32-7 spurt to pull away.
Magan, the lone sophomore starter in a lineup full of senior veterans, chipped in with a pair of baskets during that span and has been finding his way. And he has a big fan in Johnson.
“I’m excited to see him,” Johnson said of Magan’s growth. “I want him to fill out. If he fills out, then he can get contact and finish at the rim. That’s when he’s going to be really good.
“He’s already got the three and the midrange. I’m excited for when he fills out.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
