Deerfield’s Charlie Robin is ‘a different player’ after going overseas. That and more in boys basketball notes.

Before playing a minute of varsity basketball, Deerfield’s Charlie Robin had a better feel for operating in high-stakes situations than most.

The junior guard spent last July competing with the Maccabi USA U16 team that won a gold medal in the Maccabiah Games in Israel.

The experience left a lasting impression on Robin.

“Going over there improved my game a lot,” he said. “I was on a team with really skilled guys from all over the country. So much of the day was spent focused on basketball. I felt like a different player when I got back from Israel.”

Robin has rolled what he learned overseas into action as a key piece for the Warriors (20-5, 8-1), who are tied for first in the Central Suburban North and seeded third in the Class 3A Grayslake Central Sectional.

But what that looks like can change each game, depending on what they need from him. That could mean scoring; Robin had 15 points in a win against Maine West in January. He is also versatile defensively, allowing Deerfield to put its best lineup on the court at all times.

“He’s willing to accept any role we throw at him and just goes about his business,” Deerfield coach Dan McKendrick said. “You don’t realize everything he does until you look at his statistics after the game.”

Robin has enjoyed becoming a more complete player after employing a score-first mentality in the earlier stages of his career. He is more adept as a playmaker, and he has built off the chemistry formed with sophomore center Drew Rodgers, his roommate in Israel.

“Whether that means getting assists or just making the extra pass to set someone else up,” Robin said. “I know contributing in other areas besides scoring helps the team and makes me a better player.”

Morris guides Grant: Wins may not be coming at the pace that Grant wanted this season, but the seeds for future success are being planted.

Front and center, ironically, is senior guard Bernard Morris, whose value isn’t necessarily being measured statistically but by the ways he guides his younger teammates. He is one of just two seniors in the eight-man rotation the Bulldogs (6-18) typically use.

“I’m proud and grateful to have been chosen for this role,” Morris said. “I feel I can show these guys what it takes to win varsity games.”

There are many ways Morris does that. It starts with being first to practice. Or being first to the bus for road games and making sure players have the right mindset once they’re on the bus.

On the court, Morris tries to be the first one to pick up a teammate who has been knocked down.

He has also been instrumental in getting players into film study, and he follows up by asking teammates what they’re seeing.

These tasks are very much under the radar, but they go a long way.

“The younger players joke with him about him reclassifying so he can stay with them next year,” Grant coach Wayne Bosworth said. “That’s how much he means to those guys and the program.”

Morris’ behind-the-scenes work allows others to shine statistically. One of those players is junior Pryde Mendoza, who leads Grant in rebounds, assists and field-goal percentage and is second in scoring.

Mendoza has definitely taken cues from Morris that have helped his performance.

“Bernie really tries to pick up the intensity in practice, which makes the games easier,” Mendoza said. “He plays the game with a lot of intensity. Every little thing matters to him, and that rubs off on the rest of us.”

Tidbits: Grayslake Central’s stellar season is reaping statistical milestones. Senior center Jake Gibson broke the school’s record for most blocked shots in a season. He entered the weekend with 85 blocks for the Rams (23-4), far more than the previous mark of 67 held by 2020 graduate Grant Hardy. Senior guard Dennis Estepp is approaching 200 assists and 120 steals in his career. … Lakes (18-7) headed into the weekend with its most wins since 2015. That season ended a four-year run that included three regional titles and 75 victories. … Antioch standout sophomore forward Marshall Gehrke has a doctor’s appointment Monday, when he hopes to get cleared to get back on the court after hand surgery in late December. Gehrke’s return would further boost the Sequoits, who have won 10 of 13 games without him.

Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.