It’s becoming a holiday tradition for Sandburg’s Malachi Perkins.
For the two-sport standout, aside from receiving gifts and good cheer, it’s the most wonderful time of the year as the senior point guard works to get his basketball legs back after playing football.
“I feel like I can go so much faster than I’m going,” Perkins said. “I don’t think I’m there yet. Usually by Christmas and during the Christmas tournaments, I’m starting to feel myself again.”
Perkins definitely looked like he was closer to full strength Friday night.
The 5-foot-10 Perkins finished with a team-high 14 points along with four rebounds and a steal in leading the visiting Eagles to a 49-46 SouthWest Suburban Conference victory over district rival Andrew in Tinley Park.
Liiban Debala added 10 points for Sandburg (6-3, 3-2), while Will Johnson came through with nine points, six rebounds and two steals in the second half. Johnson did not play in the first half due to a “coach’s decision,” according to Eagles coach John Daniels.
Ryan Dinnon led Andrew (4-7, 0-5) with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Malik Mahmoud chipped in with 11 points, including a 3-pointer with 18 seconds remaining that cut the deficit to 48-46.
Sandburg’s Daniel Morakinyo then made a free throw with 16 seconds left and Andrew missed two shots in the closing seconds. And that put the spotlight back on Perkins.
Perkins, a second team all-conference cornerback, isn’t clear if he will play sports after high school, so he’s putting all of his efforts into getting back into top shape for this basketball season.
“Basketball is continuous running up and down the court,” Perkins said. “In football, my coaches like to say you are running six seconds at a time. You get multiple times to catch your breath.
“In basketball, it’s a very different way to train.”
Daniels prides himself on having a team with multiple players who can score, but Perkins has already made some important offensive contributions this winter.
Perkins produced a team-high 10 points in a 42-41 win over Bradley-Bourbonnais. He also sank a clutch basket in the closing seconds of regulation against Stagg, even though the Eagles went on to lose 58-54 to the Chargers in double overtime.
“I like the ball in my hands, but all my teammates can score,” Perkins said. “If the opportunity is there, I’m not shy of the situation.”
Johnson wasn’t shy about praising Perkins.
“I love this guy,” Johnson said of Perkins. “He’s an amazing facilitator and an amazing captain. I love his game. He’s a true point guard in my opinion.”
Daniels, who promoted Perkins to the varsity when he was a sophomore, has witnessed a ton of progress the past two seasons.
“He’s getting into basketball shape and he’s doing a great job of creating contact and then moving away from contact,” Daniels said of Perkins. “It helps that he’s been doing this for three years.
“He can score, and when you can score, you have to know when it’s there and when to pass it. That’s what he’s getting better at.”
Perkins grew up playing with his older brother, Michael Perkins, and younger sister, Makaleigh Terry, who is a sophomore guard on Sandburg’s girls basketball team.
Michael also played basketball for the Eagles, but Malachi confirmed that football is a passion of his and has been a fun game for him to play.
But when asked what he loves about basketball, he said, “Everything.”
“I love it because I keep learning,” Malachi said. “I’m never done learning. Every time I watch film, I’m picking up something different. Something is always coming to me that I can learn.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
