Senior forward Royce Thompson and senior point guard Ya’Hyness Williams are secure in their roles for River Forest.
But they want to ensure more for the Ingots, who haven’t finished a season with a winning record since 2017.
“We’re just trying to build something here, so once we leave, it won’t go back down to what it used to be,” Thompson said. “We’re trying to make a legacy here and make sure they can uphold it.”
Thompson and Williams, who are two of the team’s three captains along with senior guard Ayden Silver, have been vital to River Forest’s success this season. The Ingots (9-4) are positioned to record their most wins since going 18-6 in 2016-17.
Williams, who was quick to credit coach Cory McKim and his staff for the team’s progress, is looking forward to what’s in store for the rest of the season.
“I have to go all out this year,” Williams said. “I have to put my all into it — time, effort. I’m trying to win something, a trophy that can be held before I go. We’ve never won a trophy while I was here yet, so hopefully we can accomplish that.”
The 6-foot-3 Thompson, who became a starter early in his sophomore season, is averaging 10.0 points, a team-high 6.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals. He led the Ingots in both scoring and rebounding in the previous two seasons.
“I have some of the most experience out of everybody on our team,” Thompson said. “I’m trying to be more vocal, trying to talk on defense.”
The 5-7 Williams, who is averaging a team-high 11.4 points, a team-high 3.5 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 2.0 steals, extolled Thompson’s virtues.
“We don’t have anybody who can jump like him, grab rebounds like him, move fast with the ball like him as a big man,” Williams said. “He contributes a lot. He’s been working on his handles. I’ve been trying to make him work on going left, and he’s been working on it. He’s been getting his free throws down pat and been working on his threes and his midrange. He can get to the basket.
“He’s one of the best big men out there. He’s fun to play with.”
The bond between Williams and Thompson is evident. Williams referred to Thompson as “my best friend,” and Thompson responded with an outstretched hand as he said, “My dawg.”
“Without him, the team wouldn’t be moving the way it’s moving,” Thompson said of Williams. “He brings a lot to the table too. He’s one of the best guards in our conference, maybe even the area. The way he can move the ball, how quick he is with the ball, that’s not something most guards can replicate around here.
“His defense — most guards don’t like playing defense, most people don’t like playing defense — but he brings that to the table too. It’s fun playing out there on the court with him.”
McKim took over River Forest’s program when these six seniors were freshmen, so he has had the opportunity to see players such as Thompson and Williams grow.
“Royce is a kid who’s been a captain two years in a row for us,” McKim said. “He came up from JV as a sophomore, and he’s been a starter for us ever since. He was a leader for us since then even without the title.
“He’s a great kid. Great family. Smart kid. He has a bright future. He’s a kid who comes early and stays late. He’s hard to get out of the gym.”
McKim also had high praise for Williams.
“Ya’Hyness is just a bulldog,” McKim said. “He’s just a hard worker. He’s fast. He understands what we want. He’s just a great kid.”
Thompson was also a three-year starter at cornerback and wide receiver for River Forest’s football team. He competed as a sprinter on the track team in each of his first three spring seasons, but he may focus on honing his basketball skills this year.
Both Thompson and Williams have aspirations to play in college.
“Those guys have been in our program for four years, and they’re hardworking kids,” McKim said. “That’s great about what we have here. We have a lot of kids who work really hard. That’s half the battle to win games, just the energy level you have.
“They don’t miss — they’re always here — and they’re good teammates too. They help the younger kids because we do play a lot of young guys. They help them even though sometimes the young guys make mistakes. They try to stay positive, do all of those things a leader should do. It’s been a process, and the seniors have built that foundation, and the younger kids have grabbed on to it. I’m just happy for them that after four years, the hard work is paying off.”