Illiana Christian’s Colin O’Hara continues to evolve.
Already stronger and more skilled when the season started, the 6-foot-10 center has become a double-digit scorer, conference-leading rebounder and state-ranked shot blocker.
“Our first game of the season, I felt like I was a different player,” O’Hara said. “There was a moment where I was down low and I made a move I hadn’t done the season before. I thought, ‘This is different. I can improve on this as we move further into the season,’ and I just kept making more of those moves in games.”
O’Hara is averaging 10.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks for the Vikings (15-8), who will open the Class 3A Hanover Sectional with a first-round game against the host Wildcats (9-14) at 7 p.m. Tuesday. He led the Greater South Shore Conference in rebounding, and he ranks seventh in the state in blocks, according to MaxPreps.
O’Hara, who has garnered interest from Bowling Green and Ohio Dominican, averaged just 3.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.7 blocks last season.
“He has put on some pounds, which has definitely helped, and he’s still working on that, so even next year there’s going to be a bump up from where he is right now,” Illiana Christian coach Tom Roozeboom said. “He puts in the time with AAU and outside the actual basketball season, and that’s helped him develop and look more comfortable down low.
“I think both of us would say there’s still growth that needs to happen, but growing into that big frame takes time. I’m very pleased with the commitment he’s shown, and I think it has paid dividends for him this year.”
O’Hara’s improvement has also helped him loosen up around teammates, strengthening the team’s chemistry on and off the court. As it turns out, the so-called “gentle giant” is a character.
“We have a great time,” Illiana Christian junior forward Aidan Drost said. “Off the court, we hang out a lot. He’s just a funny guy to be around and chill with. We like to go out to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings or play basketball in someone’s driveway. Whatever it is, it’s always fun.
“We go golfing and usually have a great time. We’re not very — well, I’m not very good. He’s a little better than I am. We got a little carried away one time and may or may not have rolled the golf cart. No one got hurt, we caught up to it and it was totally fine, but it was so funny.”
When O’Hara’s not chasing golf carts, he’s making moves on the court, as a dancer as well as a player.
“It’s just to get the energy going,” he said. “Sometimes before games, we can be a bit dead. Dancing and having a good time gets us moving, smiling, and builds team camaraderie and chemistry. It really helps.”
O’Hara’s go-to choreography is “Fortnite” dances.
“That goes back to my time playing video games,” he said. “I haven’t been much of a gamer lately, at least not right now.”
Most of O’Hara’s time goes toward figuring out how to reach the next level on the court. He and Roozeboom agree the key is unlocking a more assertive mindset.
In other words, it’s time to unleash the beast.
“He is a very gentle human being, and that is awesome,” Roozeboom said. “That is one of his strengths. But once he gets that mentality of ‘I want the ball, I demand the ball,’ he’s going to explode.
“That mentality of creating space and using his body is going to be difficult for teams to stop. He could be a double-double guy every single night. Even if his shots aren’t going in, if he attacks the offensive glass, he could have 10 points a night just off of offensive rebounds. He could be a 15- to 20-point, 10-plus rebound guy at the high school level.”
Noah Poser is a freelance reporter.
