Class 1A super-sectional notebook: Stephens’ dominant junior season heightens expectations for senior campaign

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Danny Stephens will be back for a curtain call.

The 6-foot-7 Stephens’ junior year came to halt Monday night when he and his Southeastern Suns were beaten by a talented — and deep — Liberty team 49-42 in the Class 1A Jacksonville Super-Sectional at the Jacksonville Bowl.

The defeat did not diminish what Stephens accomplished this year. It simply started a conversation about what he might do as a senior.

“I’m just going to keep working and try to get better,” Stephens said.

That might be a scary proposition for Southeastern’s opponents come next November.

Consider that Stephens:

• Finished his junior year with a 28.2 scoring average. He also collected 10.7 rebounds a game while playing virtually every position on the floor.

• Became the 188th player in state history to surpass 1,600 career points during Monday’s super-sectional setback. He currently sits 186th on the all-time points list with 1,617. (And remember, he has a full season left. And also remember, he lost the equivalent of a full season due to last year’s pandemic and a broken thumb early this season.)

• Averaged 27.4 points in five postseason contests, accented by a combined 71 points in back-to-back efforts against Havana and Monmouth United.

• Led the Suns to 27 straight victories when he was in the lineup the last two seasons, a string that was snapped Monday night. 

• Currently owns the 16th-best all-time career scoring average (23.4) in state history.

“Danny’s a special player,” Southeastern coach Brett Ufkes understated.

Even Stephens’ opponents embrace what he has already accomplished.

“Danny’s a great, great player who has a big impact on every game,” said Liberty’s Cannen Wolf, who watched Stephens score 19 points and grab 10 rebounds.

Liberty’s Breiton Klingele agreed.

“Danny’s the best player we have faced all season,” Klingele said. “He’s good and he knows what he is doing.” 

That 19-point effort was the only time this season Stephens scored under 20 points.

“Liberty did a good job at double-teaming him in the second half, and made him give the ball up,” Ufkes said.

Looking ahead

While disappointed with the loss, Stephens vowed the Suns will be ready for next season.

“We’ll keep working,” he said. “We just have to get better.”

Stephens will be a marked man next year, but he’s used to that. He knows the success of the 2022-23 Suns will revolve around him, but he will need some help.

“It takes five players to get it done,” Stephens said.

Southeastern, which finished 30-5, loses three starters. Liberty, 30-5 heading to the Class 1A state tournament, graduates all five of its starters and most of its top substitutes.

Rebounding was key difference

One of the major discrepancies between Liberty and Southeastern was obvious, especially to Stephens.

“Rebounding was the key,” Stephens said. “Liberty had too many second-chance points.”

Liberty’s three inside towers — the 6-foot-4 Klingele, 6-foot-6 Devin Klauser and 6-foot-5 Logan Robbins — led the Eagles to a convincing 32-15 edge on the boards. Klingele led all players with 12 rebounds.

There were several instances when Liberty had multiple shots at a field goal, virtually playing ping-pong off the glass.

Stephens was the only Southeastern player with more than two rebounds. 

Different look

Liberty defeated Southeastern 71-67 in four overtimes back in early December, but Monday night’s game had a completely different look. Missing in that first game between the two schools were Stephens, Robbins and Klauser, all out with injuries or illness.

Liberty has won 10 of the last 11 meetings with Southeastern.

A ‘special’ victory

Once Liberty coach Greg Altmix had a few moments to gather his emotions, he tried to frame what the super-sectional win meant.

“It’s special,” he said. “With everything these kids have been through the last year — the pandemic and injuries — they still put in the time and never stopped believing in one another.”

Altmix pinpointed an overall commitment to selflessness an integral part to the Eagles’ success.

“They truly believe in one another,” he said. “The selflessness of this team is amazing. None of them care if they have 20 points or zero as long as their team comes out on top.”

Only two Eagles have reached 20 points in their five postseason games. Klingele scored 20 in a 61-47 regional victory over Griggsville-Perry. Klauser had 21 against Southeastern. 

Klingele leads Liberty in scoring with 13.1 points per game. No other Eagles player is in double figures, although Wolf, Robbins and Klauser all average 9-plus.