With an intriguing mixture of guard expertise to go along with a lanky body, Batavia’s Jax Abalos has lofty ambitions so far as the place he thinks the sport can take him.
That was considerably of a burden for the 6-foot-7 Abalos, however as his breakout junior season continues, he’s embracing the journey.
“I’d prefer to go to a high-major faculty,” Abalos stated. “There’s lots of work to do with that — my general talent set, not simply taking pictures. I’ve to carry extra, achieve extra weight and develop my all-around recreation.
“I used to consider it as stress, however now I consider it as a possibility to work my hardest and attempt to get there.”
Very similar to the remainder of his teammates, Abalos didn’t get a lot of an opportunity to showcase his improved recreation Friday evening in a 48-29 DuKane Convention loss to Lake Park. The Lancers’ stifling protection restricted Abalos to 5 factors.
Nate Nazos scored 10 factors to tempo Batavia (13-6, 6-2). Cam Cerese led all scorers with 24 factors for Lake Park (18-3, 8-0) whereas additionally dealing with many of the protection on Abalos.
“Each time I get the ball, he’s proper up on me,” Abalos stated. “It was actually laborious to go by him or get a shot off in any respect.”
Whereas Friday’s recreation was an outlier, Abalos has change into one of many high gamers this season for the Bulldogs after taking part in a bench position as a sophomore.
“He’ll be the primary one to say this recreation was robust,” Batavia coach Jim Nazos stated. “He’s going to be a really good participant. He has lots of very good issues to him. He’s obtained an excellent future and he does lots of issues effectively.
“He might be excellent, however he’s not there but. However he’ll get there. He’s nonetheless younger and rising into his physique, however he’s had an ideal 12 months for us.”
Tough nights like Friday’s recreation are a part of a younger participant’s growth as effectively.
“He’ll reply,” Jim Nazos stated. “He’s somebody who will get again into the gymnasium and works. He doesn’t complain. He has the fitting perspective on issues. He’ll bounce again.”
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With Abalos’ potential to hit 3-pointers at a excessive stage and likewise play above the rim, Nate Nazos loves having that choice at his disposal when he runs the purpose.
“I do know he’s an ideal man to go to,” he stated. “You realize almost definitely the shot goes in. His size could be very helpful at guard. He’s very athletic, too.
“If you’re out working with him, he may cease and hit a 3 or reduce to the basket.”
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Batavia didn’t rating its first level Friday till there was a minute left within the first quarter. The Bulldogs trailed 19-7 at halftime. Abalos scored 5 of these factors.
The Bulldogs ultimately clawed again into the sport, slicing the deficit to 38-28 with 3:15 left within the fourth quarter on Nazos’ layup.
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“We weren’t going to only allow them to go residence with the win,” Nate Nazos stated. “We obtained a pair baskets and reduce it all the way down to 10. Sadly they have been good at closing, obtained some simple buckets there.”
Abalos stated he was seeking to flip the web page from the tough loss and proceed constructing on the strides he has made all season.
Jim Nazos is aware of Abalos has the mindset to get to the place he would ultimately prefer to go.
“His greatest is forward of him,” Nazos stated. “He understands that he’s a piece in progress and he works laborious. He’s an ideal child, nice pupil. He has all of the intangibles.”
Paul Johnson is a contract reporter for The Beacon-Information.
