CHAMPAIGN — Years ago, DePaul Prep’s Makai Kvamme developed a bond with Nojel Eastern.
Eastern, the former Evanston star, is seven years older than Kvamme. But when Kvamme turned age 7, Eastern accepted an invitation to Kvamme’s birthday party at Six Flags Great America.
“We rode roller coasters together,” Kvamme said of Eastern, who’s now playing for the Iowa Wolves in the NBA G League. “He and I had the same trainer. We built a good relationship, and he’s like a brother to me.
“We still stay in contact once a week. He actually texted me (Friday) and wished me good luck.”
Kvamme made Eastern proud Saturday night at the State Farm Center.
The junior guard scored a team-high 18 points and added six rebounds for the Rams in a 49-41 victory over Catholic League Blue rival Mount Carmel in the Class 3A state championship game.
DePaul (35-2) became the first basketball team in Illinois High School Association history to win back-to-back championships in two different classes after winning the Class 2A title last season.
Rob Walls added 10 points Saturday and Jaylan McElroy had seven rebounds for the Rams, who ended up with a 25-15 advantage on the boards.
Northwestern-bound Angelo Ciaravino scored 24 points for Mount Carmel (32-6), which was making just its second appearance in the state finals and first since winning Class AA in 1985.
Kvamme got things rolling right away in the first six minutes of the first quarter, coming up with eight points and three rebounds to give the Rams a 12-5 lead.
“Coach told us we couldn’t get behind and we needed to start out strong,” Kvamme said. “I felt confident to start the game.”
Mount Carmel couldn’t catch up after that. Kvamme made sure of it in the fourth quarter when the Caravan made a last-gasp run. He finished 8 of 8 from the free-throw line.
“He was cold-blooded knocking them down,” DePaul coach Tom Kleinschmidt said.
Kvamme, who started for the Rams last season, helped DePaul advance Friday with 15 points, six assists, three rebounds and three steals in a 52-41 semifinal win over Peoria Richwoods.
“We fought through adversity both years,” Kvamme said. “Both years we had players injured, and we just kept fighting and kept fighting.”
The Caravan did cut the deficit to 37-34 with 1:51 seconds left but could get no closer.
“How many coaches would like to be 32-6?” Mount Carmel coach Phil Segroves said. “What an unbelievable run. They have done absolutely everything we asked of them.”
Segroves got a kick out of two Catholic League teams battling it out on the biggest stage.
“There is an unbelievable amount of pride,” Segroves said. “Tom Kleinschmidt and I shook hands and hugged, and he said, ‘This is really special.’ I said, ‘This is awesome, dude.’”
Kvamme, meanwhile, has a bright future ahead of him. He has drawn interest from Green Bay, Southern Illinois and Harvard. He’s also predicting a bright future for his friend, Eastern.
After three seasons at Purdue and then playing professionally in Mexico, Eastern still has dreams of making it to the NBA.
“I have followed his career and he has been a great role model for me,” Kvamme said. “I watched him through high school and at Purdue. I think he will make it to the NBA someday.”
After winning two championships in two years, the 6-foot-2 Kvamme wants to enjoy this one, but he agreed there will be pressure on next season’s team.
When asked if he wouldn’t mind giving Class 4A a try, Kvamme smiled.
“Hey, if they let us, I’m up for any challenge,” he said.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
