Winning tune: DeAndre Craig brings Mount Carmel back to beat St. Laurence. It’s just what he does. ‘I am trying to be more of a director.’

Going from the lead singer to one who conducts the band is an evolution unto itself, but senior point guard DeAndre Craig can relate to the musical analogy for Mount Carmel.

Looking back at his freshman season on the varsity, the 6-foot-1 Craig charts the transformation in his game by how much his playing style has completely changed.

“That freshman season was the pandemic year, and I only played like eight or nine games,” Craig recalled. “Everything was hard, but I kept pushing through.

“I liked to dribble a lot my freshman year. Now, I am trying to be more of a director.”

Craig ran the show Tuesday night for the Caravan. The Denver recruit scored 25 points with five rebounds, four assists and two steals in a 66-52 victory over St. Laurence.

During a Catholic League crossover in Chicago, Craig scored 20 points in the second half as Mount Carmel (6-1, 1-0) overcame an eight-point halftime deficit.

Junior guard Angelo Ciaravino wasn’t surprised in the least.

“He could go to the basket every time or put up 50 points if he wanted,” Ciaravino said. “I feel like we are really starting to play well under him, and he is trusting us to score rather than just doing what he does best.”

Sophomore forward Jacob Rice did what he does best for St. Laurence (4-3, 1-1), coming through with 15 points and eight rebounds.

Craig, however, broke the game open for the Caravan with an 11-4 spurt to start the fourth quarter. He scored or assisted on five straight baskets.

Angelo Ciaravino added six points and six rebounds. His older brother Anthony, a senior guard, scored 11 points. Craig assisted on all three of Anthony’s 3-pointers.

At his height, Craig has the size and instinct to negotiate or attack the basket. He also has the savvy and poise to read the game and play off the Caravan’s strengths.

“Athleticism is a big part of my game, but I can shoot it when I need or get the layup or make the pass,” Craig said. “I feel like when I need to score, I know I am able to do just that.

“People like Anthony are always running off me, and I can kick it out to one of my shooters.”

With the defensive attention Craig draws, the Ciaravino brothers and senior forward Rich Zoller have the freedom to find spots on the open floor.

Craig is going to hook them up in rhythm.

“It’s just great playing with him as a teammate,” Anthony Ciaravino said. “He is really starting to trust us that we are able to contribute to the team.”

Craig has also worked hard to make newcomer Lee Marks, a transfer from Homewood-Flossmoor, a fully fledged member of the team.

The junior forward had 14 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots.

“Guys have definitely welcomed me, and that has been great at practices and everything,” Marks said. “DeAndre definitely leads us and helps us come together by always making the right plays.”

Daily Southtown

Twice-weekly

News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday

The 6-5 Marks offers length and presence on the interior, something the Vikings struggled against in scoring only two baskets in the first 13 minutes of the second half.

Led by Rice, St. Laurence starts five sophomores.

“We have a lot of ups and downs being so young,” Rice said. “We have to learn how to put a full game together.”

Craig showed the ability and willingness to take over the game against the Vikings, but his ultimate role is malleable and open.

“This is a new season, a new team,” he said. “We are still trying to find our identity, where everybody knows each other on the floor.

“We still have a ton of work to do.”

Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.