First day of practice: Is a new basketball powerhouse under construction at St. Laurence?

St. Laurence’s campus has been under construction for a few years now, and a field house is currently going up next to the parking lot. That’s rare for a private school, and a sign things are on the rise in Burbank.

If things go as planned on the basketball court this winter, St. Laurence may evolve from the most misspelled local high school into the area’s new basketball powerhouse

Monday marked the first day of practice across the state, and Roshawn Russell, who coached first-round NBA Draft pick Morez Johnson during his first three years at St. Rita, wore a wide smile as he discussed his current team. Russell is in his third year at St. Laurence and has one of the state's deepest, most talented teams.

“I love our group, they have been together for a while and are very close,” Russell said. “Ups and downs are expected, but they will be able to handle any adversity. This may be the deepest team I’ve had, one through 15. I’m confident in putting anyone in the game.”

Senior Markese Peoples, a 6-2 guard who recently switched his college commitment from Central Michigan to UIC, is one of just six Division I seniors in the area.

“Markese is unguardable,” Russell said. “He’s a leader and a great person, and his teammates love him. We will go as he goes. He knows that. He is the senior that will be on the floor for us the most, and we will follow his lead.”

Peoples is rugged and physical, able to bully into the paint to score and rebound. He averaged 17 points and seven rebounds last season, but took his game to a new level over the summer.

“I’m stronger than most guards but able to do guard things,” Peoples said. “It is fun battling down low.”

Peoples went under the radar last season but is now considered one of the area’s top players and had his choice of several colleges.

“Everything fell into place in a short period of time,” Peoples said. “I love everything around [St. Laurence]. It changed my life, really. I’m forever thankful for what St. Laurence gave me.”

Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

Three experienced juniors also return: 6-6 Logan Brown, 6-4 Jeremiah Toney, and 6-2 Noah Corro. Sophomores Evan Lemons and Lawrence Burnett will be major contributors, and Russell also expects 6-5 freshman Bennett Meier and 6-0 freshman Dakarai Simmons to contribute.

“Logan is a lot stronger and his confidence level has risen,” Russell said. “He’s been a three-sport athlete all his life, and now he’s locked in on basketball and the hard work is paying off.”

Lemons is long and athletic and could be one of the state’s breakout sophomores.

The Vikings will need substantial contributions from the young stars because their schedule is extremely challenging. They open the season at the prestigious Tournament of Champions in Washington, play in all the top local events, and will travel to Las Vegas for the Tarkanian Classic.

“Nowadays it is really difficult for a high school kid to get college opportunities,” Russell said. “We have big goals and want to accomplish a lot this year, but my number one will always be helping kids get to college. We have to play in some very competitive tournaments for these guys to be seen.”

If Peoples lives up to his promise this winter, and the young players around him continue to mature, anything is possible for St. Laurence.

“I am hearing about the basketball team every day,” Toney said. “The school is definitely excited about the season.”