LaPlant-based diet: Andrew’s Nathan LaPlant breaks school records by scoring 45 points, making 11 3-pointers. ‘It was awesome.’

The shots started falling early for Andrew’s Nathan LaPlant. Then, the shots kept falling.

Before he knew it, the senior forward had produced the greatest scoring performance in Andrew basketball history.

“I’m still on cloud nine from it,” LaPlant said. “It was a great game. I started feeling it early, and then it felt like every shot was going in.

“It’s still sinking in what happened. It was an awesome game, but it couldn’t happen if I didn’t have my teammates finding the hot hand. I’m thankful for that.”

LaPlant scored 45 points in just three quarters Nov. 30 in an 89-54 win over Argo. He hit 11 3-pointers. Both broke school records.

“I was sitting at around 15 points a game before that,” LaPlant said. “I was looking for my first breakout game, and it just happened to be the first home game.

“At halftime, I had teammates coming up to me telling me I had already had the 3-pointers record. I wasn’t aware that I was anywhere close to the points record, though. It was awesome.”

LaPlant topped the boys basketball program record of 38 points that was shared by Andrew baseball coach Dave DeHaan and Tommy O’Neill. LaPlant also surpassed the school’s top girls basketball mark of 40 set by Dawn Vander Meer.

The 11 3-pointers shattered the old record of eight held by four players, two boys and two girls.

“His offensive execution came within the flow of the game,” Andrew coach Dave Wilson said of LaPlant. “He was able to get a lot of good looks just in the flow of the game.

“We weren’t searching for him. We weren’t forcing it to him. That’s what made it really fun.”

The performance was quite a breakthrough for LaPlant, who played sparingly last season as a junior.

“It’s something I’m going to have forever,” he said. “You can’t take that moment away. I didn’t play a lot last year, so to come out here and have my breakout game and show everyone what I’m really capable of, it means a lot.”

LaPlant said he had to make an adjustment to playing on the perimeter. The record-breaking game showed him all the work he put in is paying off.

“I was always the tallest kid growing up,” he said. “I used to play center. Freshman year was a reality check. I wasn’t the biggest kid anymore and I had to learn how to shoot.

“I know it sounds crazy, but I think I was honestly blessed that COVID happened. I’d be outside for hours shooting in my driveway. I taught myself how to shoot the ball from outside.”

Grown-up Griffins: With four experienced seniors leading the way, Lincoln-Way East coach Rich Kolimas was confident his team could make major strides after an 11-17 finish last season.

The Griffins (4-1) are off to a strong start, including Friday’s 62-41 rout of rival Lincoln-Way Central and Saturday’s big 57-54 win over Oswego East, which was previously unbeaten and went 33-2 last season.

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“We’ve been through the battles and these guys have been together,” Kolimas said. “They’re out to prove something this year. We lost a lot of tight games last season.

“We’re hoping to turn the tide this year, and we were able to pull out a big win in a close game Saturday.”

Senior guard Tylon Toliver led the way with 21 points against Oswego East.

Porter pride: After graduating seven seniors last season, Lockport (5-1) is seeing early success with an inexperienced team.

“We graduated seven seniors, so it’s almost all new guys,” Porters coach Brett Hespell said. “I really like how bought-in this group is. From day one, they’ve been totally committed to what we’re trying to do, and the results are paying off so far.”

Junior guard Jalen Falcon and senior guard Adam Labuda have been Lockport’s top scorers.

Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.