Jarrin Randall has come a long way since Black Friday.
Maybe that's why Nick Irvin can sit in the bleachers and rest his arms on the row behind, looking like he's enjoying Christmas.
There goes Jarrin again, finding Josh Cunningham for another alley-oop.
Attrition has dominated Morgan Park's season. Jarrin wasn't supposed to scrimmage with the starters, but here he is because Charlie Moore is out. Markus Johnson isn't supposed to be out there either, but Lamont Walker is on the bleachers nursing a hurt ankle. Jarrin and Charlie, both sophomores. Markus and Lamont, seniors.
With his seniors, Nick, for the most part, knows what he's getting: Two solid players, who have put in work and proven themselves. Lamont the better of the two, clearly a starter. But Markus makes enough positive plays on the court to help the team win.
Jarrin is a different story...or was.
Before the season started, Jarrin looked timid. Three-pointers are his specialty, but early on he either shot too much, or too little.
Same with dribbling, passing, driving. All things he does well.
Unlike Charlie, who, as a freshman, played a key role in Morgan Park winning State last year, Jarrin still needed to get acclimated to varsity ball.
This season is important for Jarrin, if he wants to prove himself one of the best young players in the city. If he doesn't seem ready for the Red South, if it looks like he might need another year, Jarrin could spend his career at Morgan Park looking up at Charlie. A lot of "ifs." Such is the nature of examining sixteen-year-olds under a microscope.
Charlie went down, Jarrin got his shot.
Morgan Park hosted Red South foe Bogan before heading to Simeon. They lost a close one, missing free throw after free throw. But Jarrin scored 13, hit three from behind the arch and earned special attention in the Chicago Tribune.
Jarrin didn't start against Bogan, Nick decided to go with a bigger line-up.
But the practice before Simeon, a starting spot looked guaranteed.
If there was one person in the gym that practice that wanted to beat Simeon more than Nick, it was Jarrin.
Last season, Jarrin played at Simeon. He helped the sophomore team go undefeated and win the city championship. Bogan was his first loss in high school.
He went to middle school at Morgan Park, wanted to transfer back, so he did.
Jarrin's teammates at Simeon, Ben Coupet and Zack Norvell, start for varsity now and are considered in Charlie's elite skill class. Last year, Jarrin was a role player. Ben and Zack, the stars.
Now they were all starters again. Ben and Zack starters all season. Jarrin, getting his shot out of necessity.
Attrition forced progress.
Heading into the fourth quarter, only two sophomores remained on the court: Zack and Jarrin.
Ben started out well, dishing out three assists early. An ineffective stretch in the third landed him on the bench for the final quarter. Zack wasn't playing much better, but Simeon needed a point guard. While Zack looks more comfortable at shooting guard, Simeon's one weak spot is at the point.
Imagine how Rob felt, watching Jarrin. The point guard he saw walk away scored his rival's first points of the game, hitting a three. Later in the quarter, another. Another in the second. Nine points in the half. Morgan Park up by six.
Zack hit a three with under five minutes left in the fourth, bringing Simeon within two. But Morgan Park kept pulling away.
So at the buzzer, there was Nick with his fists raised above his head. Jarrin jumped next to him. Both looking like they had proven themselves. They disappeared into the locker room before anybody else.
And here they are now, on Christmas, relaxed and confident.
Charlie isn't due back for a few more games, so Jarrin is looking at starting opportunities during the Proviso West Holiday Tournament.
Nick looks comfortable with his point guard dilemma.
They both seem ready for the next challenge.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.