KEN KARRSON: Despite defeat, better days likely for Marian

CHICAGO HEIGHTS | Exercising patience isn't easy.

OK, exercising when you're out of shape is tougher, but that's taxing on the body, not the mind. Sometimes the mental gymnastics required to keep from popping an emotional cork are difficult enough to master that doing so would earn a perfect 10 from even the most stubborn Olympic judges.

We're a nation in a great big hurry, and having to wait long for anything simply doesn't sit well with too many of us, unless it's done to purchase the newest electronic gizmo at Christmas.

But if we can hold off a bit, the reward is usually plenty satisfying.

That's what Marian Catholic basketball fans have to remember as they watch a young Spartans team continue to develop.

It's understandable, I suppose, that people are a little antsy. For years, Marian's girls hoops team has been positioned among Illinois' prep elite, so it's logical to wonder why the boys haven't created a similar aura of their own.

Not to take anything away from what the female Spartans have accomplished, but the guys are bumping up against a lot more basketball history. The southern suburbs have a rich tradition of court excellence among the boys, and it's not unfathomable to think that a hotshot hoopster from Chicago Heights or Homewood might opt to attend Bloom or H-F, particularly in these trying economic times.

However, Marian has taken some important steps, the biggest being that it has kept coach Mike Taylor on the job. The best programs don't have constant changeover at the top, but since 1977, the Spartans have averaged putting a new man in charge every five years.

Taylor is now in his ninth season, so there is stability. And in sophomore guard Tyler Ulis, he has a unique talent at his disposal.

After Friday night's 56-45 loss to Marist, RedHawks coach Gene Nolan called Ulis "the best offensive player I've seen in my 16 years of coaching." This came after a foul-plagued Ulis netted only 13 points against Nolan's club.

Ulis conjures up memories of former Illinois Mr. Basketball Kevin Dillard, who possessed above-average ball-handling, passing and shooting skills. Ulis is a special talent, but having a star in its midst can sometimes hamper a team.

Marian senior Erik Crittenden admitted the Spartans "lost our confidence with Tyler on the bench," but acknowledged they "can't rely on one guy. It's going to take more of a team effort (to keep improving)."

Crittenden gets no argument from Taylor.

"It's about just wanting the ball, and having the will and confidence to get it done," Taylor said. "Guys need to have a solid performance and build from it. Hopefully, something that wasn't purely evident out there tonight is evident tomorrow or the next day.

"It's a good group, but we're young and we're still making young mistakes. We've got to find that next gear. It'll come." 

In the meantime, Taylor will try to remain patient.

This column is solely the writer's opinion. Reach him at kenneth.karrson@nwi.com.