David Bilevicius is a breakout star for Lemont, but his first three years followed a similar script. ‘Barely made the team, didn’t play.’

From the freshman team to the varsity, David Bilevicius spent most of the first three years of his Lemont career sitting on the bench.

Bilevicius never thought about quitting. Now, as a senior center, he is starting for one of the area’s top teams.

“I love the sport and I knew I wanted to keep playing even if I was just on the bench,” Bilevicius said. “I wanted to be able to play basketball all four years. I knew that if I worked hard, I’d be able to be a part of the team.”

Bilevicius played a big part Tuesday night, producing a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds as visiting Lemont rolled to a 92-38 win over Richards in a South Suburban Conference crossover.

Twins Rokas and Matas Castillo led Lemont (7-0, 2-0 SSC Blue) with 19 and 15 points, respectively. Conor Murray and Ryan Runaas — a Mount Carmel transfer and the son of Lemont coach Rick Runaas — added eight points apiece.

Camren King scored 10 points and Samuel Cain chipped in nine for short-handed Richards (3-4, 0-3 SSC Red).

Bilevicius did all his scoring in the first half as Lemont quickly built a huge lead, going up 27-9 after a quarter and 52-21 at halftime.

Rick Runaas is proud of how far Bilevicius has come.

“David is one of my favorite stories in my coaching career,” Rick Runaas said. “He barely made the team as a freshman, didn’t play. He barely made the team as a sophomore, didn’t play. He barely made varsity last year and didn’t play.

“But he just kept growing and stuck with it. This summer, he really committed to it. He’s a great kid. He’s a great student. He wanted to play, he waited for his turn, and now it’s here.”

Bilevicius was often given a huge task in practices last season when he was matched up with Nojus Indrusaitis, a major Division I recruit who transferred to St. Rita over the summer.

“I learned a lot from Nojus,” Bilevicius said. “I was guarding him all season long in practice. It was nice getting that experience against such a good player.”

The 6-foot-6 Bilevicius has shown he can help Lemont inside and outside. He’s four inches taller than the next teammate on a small team. He also hit a 3-pointer and a couple perimeter jumpers Tuesday.

Bilevicius knows he won’t be filling Indrusaitis’ shoes, but he can help his team win.

“Me and him play different,” Bilevicius said of Indrusaitis. “I’m bringing something else to the table.

“I gained confidence over the summer playing AAU ball. That’s really all that I lacked before. The experience during the summer and fall, getting playing time, that really helped me.”

Murray sees Bilevicius providing a go-to presence in the lane.

“David brings size, which we need on this team,” Murray said. “He gives us physicality. He’s someone we can get the ball to in the post and he’ll make plays.”

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Murray scored the first eight points of the game, knocking down three shots — including two 3-pointers — in the first 90 seconds.

Lemont never looked back.

“It felt good to start the game off with a bang,” Murray said. “It was a great team win. Everyone shot well. Everyone played hard the whole game. It’s been a good start to the season.”

Indeed, it has been a strong beginning for a team some likely counted out after Indrusaitis’ departure.

Lemont’s players, though, were optimistic all along.

“We all know that we’re really good,” Murray said. “We knew that coming into the season. We had a really good summer and fall. We’re ready.”

Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.