Perspectives-Leadership's talented transfers start to jell in dominant win against Lyons

Most high school basketball teams improve during the course of a season. There are only two weeks of practice before the games start, so many squads are just starting to jell when the holiday tournaments roll around.

That is even more the case for Perspectives-Leadership, which has several key transfers in the starting lineup. Lead guards Morgan Travis (De La Salle) and Jayden Taylor (Fenger) joined the team during the summer.

‘‘I told the team that we would be better toward the middle and end of the year,’’ Warriors coach Justin Rhymes said. ‘‘We have so many transfers and so many new faces. We needed to piece everything together, and it would take a little time. But things are starting to click.’’

Perspectives opened some eyes with a victory last weekend against Rockford Auburn, then smashed Lyons 63-38 on Saturday at the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic.

Lyons was considered a fringe Super 25 team in the preseason and features one of the top prospects in the sophomore class in 6-6 Grant Smith. The victory sends the Warriors into the quarterfinals Monday against Glenbard North.

Perspectives (9-3) opened a 16-5 lead in the first quarter and extended it to 36-9 at halftime. There was a running clock in the fourth quarter.

Travis, who finished with 15 points, said the Warriors were up early Saturday to watch film of the Lions.

‘‘That paid off,’’ he said. ‘‘We just listened to what our coaches said. We’ve been clicking lately. Our defense is so much better.’’

Taylor led Perspectives with 23 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals. He was 9-for-14 from the field.

‘‘[Travis] is a college guard,’’ Rhymes said. ‘‘His recruitment will get there. Obviously, he was in the Catholic League for three years, so this has been an adjustment. He started off a little slow scoring, but he has figured it out now.’’

Senior Aiden Horton added 13 points for the Warriors, who had 11 steals and forced 16 turnovers.

‘‘Coach said to be aggressive on defense, that they would not like that,’’ Taylor said. ‘‘And it was true.’’

Tristan Howard, a 6-7 senior, transferred to Perspectives from Oswego East last year. He didn’t play much as a junior but has become a major factor this season. He had nine points and six rebounds.

‘‘[Howard] wasn’t ready last year,’’ Rhymes said. ‘‘Now he’s ready. He added some muscle. He’s always had the athleticism, but his footwork has gotten better. He’s a huge X-factor for us.’’

Smith scored 10 points in the fourth quarter and finished with 14 to lead Lyons (8-3). Nate Woods, a 6-5 junior, added 10 points and six rebounds.

Glenbard North advanced to the quarterfinals by knocking off Lemont 55-50. The Panthers don’t have a marquee victory yet, but the talented junior tandem of guard Lamari Carpenter (15 points) and 6-6 Oturo Redento (16 points, seven rebounds) leads a solid group.

Ryan Crane led Lemont with 17 points.