Into the Wilder: Darnell Wilder turns up defense as Larkin downs Elgin. And that’s not all. ‘I have to set the tone.’

Senior guard Darnell Wilder has settled on his identity for Larkin.

Even though the Royals have been searching this season for the best way to fuse the different pieces of their team together, Wilder is secure about his role in the process.

“I just know whenever I am out there, I have to bring the energy and set the tone,” Wilder said. “I wanted to be the one who changed our focus and level of intensity.”

The 5-foot-11 Wilder, who relies upon a defensive menace, ball-hawking attitude in his capacity as an all-around player, was referring to the start of the second quarter.

He scored eight points in the first half Friday night, sparking host Larkin to a 67-38 Upstate Eight Conference win over archrival Elgin. And the second quarter was key.

Larkin (7-11, 5-4) broke the game open with a 15-2 closing burst at the end of that tell-tale quarter. Wilder started it off in style, opening with a steal and breakaway.

He scored six of his points for the Royals during that crucial surge. He also had four rebounds, three steals and two assists.

“This is my third year on the varsity,” Wilder said. “I started out trying to shoot the basket, but right now, I’m really trying to focus on how to be the best defender on the team.”

Junior guard Jakob Blakley scored a game-high 24 points for the Royals. Senior guard Adrian Colen-York had 13 points, four rebounds and two steals.

Junior guard Logan Leaver scored nine points on three 3-pointers.

Junior guard Maddox Hollian led Elgin (8-11, 1-8) with 16 points. He scored 14 of Elgin’s first 21 points as the Maroons hovered around the Royals.

The left-handed Hollian, who’s averaging 18 points, showed the ability to knock down perimeter shots. He also used jab steps and quickness to get to the basket.

“I like to get to the midrange of the floor and pull up,” Hollian said. “When I get into the paint, I like to get the ball to our shooters in the corner.

“Once teams see me hit the first couple of shots, they realize I’m a shooter and guys start coming out to close out. That creates driving opportunities.”

Junior forward Angel Nunez was the beneficiary for Elgin. He nailed two 3-pointers during the third quarter and finished with nine points.

Larkin, however, allowed just five baskets in the second half.

Colen-York and Wilder helped put the clamps on Hollian in the second half, limiting him to just one basket.

“This is my third year on the varsity, but my game has evolved during that time,” Colen-York said. “I have gotten in much better condition, and I just improved.

“Like most guys, I came in thinking about naturally wanting to score and see what I could do offensively. I like my defense. I also like having the ball in my hands. I was able to do some things off the dribble and get to the basket.”

Last season, the Royals reached a Class 4A supersectional, losing to eventual state champion Glenbard West.

The rivalry game against Elgin offered necessary toughness and direction.

“Our starting lineup never really played together until this year,” Wilder said. “We knew (Friday night) was the time to really get our season together.

“We haven’t really been playing with a lot of energy. (Friday night) was the chance to really turn it on.”

Wilder’s defense during the second quarter turned the tide. Larkin then scored the first 19 points of the fourth to turn the game into a rout.

“There’s a lot of basketball left and we’re trying to win a regional,” Wilder said. “This is our first time of really playing together.

“We are just trying to figure things out from here.”

Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.