Serious back injury affected ability of Lincoln-Way West’s Zach Jesernik to walk. But he fought back to run. ‘It’s the best.’

Senior guard Zach Jesernik comes off the bench for Lincoln-Way West. Often, his playing time is limited. But Jesernik has treasured every minute on the court this season.

That’s because, for a long time, Jesernik did not know if he would ever get to play the sport he loved again.

Sidelined for nearly five years by a serious back injury that affected his ability to simply walk, Jesernik fought back and has played the last two seasons for the Warriors on the varsity.

“It’s the best,” Jesernik said. “I hoped that it would happen. I worked hard. I made it happen so that I could have these last two years of playing competitive basketball. I’ve had the most fun I’ve had in six years.

“I just love the experience. I love playing with my teammates. I love everything about it.”

Growing up, Jesernik was a basketball fanatic. He developed a sweet shot and was typically one of the top players on his teams.

But in sixth grade, he took a big hit during a game and landed on his back.

Doctors struggled to diagnose or treat the injury, later determining Jesernik had fractured his spine. He struggled to walk or even sit in a chair and had to be home-schooled for two years.

“All the doctors thought I wasn’t going to walk properly again,” Jesernik said. “I started going to physical therapy. I was on crutches for like a year and a half before I was able to walk with a little bit of a pace.

“It was tough, but I never gave up.”

Basketball stayed on Jesernik’s mind the whole time.

“It was tough physically, but it was more tough mentally,” Jesernik said. “I had been playing basketball every single day of my life for so long, and going from that to zero, it was a mental block for a long time.

“Watching the Bulls, going to friends games, it all motivated me to get back on the court.”

After rebuilding his strength over his first two years of high school and learning how to run again, Jesernik was shooting around with friend and current teammate Tyler Gabriel, who suggested he try out for the varsity team his junior season.

“He hadn’t played in like four or five years and he told me he was going to try to come out for the varsity team,” Lincoln-Way West coach Tanner Mitchell said. “In the back of my head, I was thinking it was going to be really tough for him to make the team, but he put in so much time in the gym and he really earned his spot.

“I’m hoping our younger guys can look at Zach and see what it’s like to overcome adversity. He’s a great example for kids in all our sports.”

Now, Jesernik is hitting 3-pointers in varsity games.

“It feels good,” Jesernik said. “It gives me that confidence that I felt years ago. I’ve learned you can’t take anything for granted.”

Getting healthy: Lincoln-Way East (21-4) has persevered through some injuries in the second half of the season. Senior forward Kyle Olagbegi missed time with a leg injury and leading scorer Tylon Toliver has been out the past couple weeks with a wrist injury.

Toliver is expected to return for the playoffs, and coach Rich Kolimas hopes that playing short-handed has helped his team develop more depth.

“Different guys have stepped up in different parts of the season, so it’s just a matter of putting them in the right slot to succeed,” Kolimas said.

Seeds planted: Brother Rice, St. Rita, Marist, Bloom and Homewood-Flossmoor were seeded two to six in the Class 4A St. Rita Sectional, where Kenwood is the top seed.

Potential regional finals next week between Marist and Bloom and St. Rita and H-F are likely to highlight the opening round of the playoffs.

Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.