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Waukegan’s Malachi Reddick is familiar with the formula for winning. He has seen it in action.
It’s just that Reddick was a freshman point guard playing on the freshman team at the time. He watched the Bulldogs soar to new heights in 2018-19, winning a program-record 28 games.
Since then, the Bulldogs have fallen on hard times, winning just two of 42 games over the past two seasons, including the abbreviated one earlier this year.
Now a senior leader, the 5-foot-10 Reddick said he’s driven to help Waukegan become one of the elite teams in Lake County again.
“We had a good, long preseason,” Reddick said. “We consistently had guys here, so that’s a good sign. We’re all serious about winning, to change things from what’s happened here the past few years. We want to show people what Waukegan is about.
“I remember seeing those guys from three years ago, just how happy they were. … I want Waukegan basketball to be great again.”
Coach Ron Ashlaw said the Bulldogs’ recent slide to the bottom of the North Suburban Conference standings is difficult to stomach. Under Ashlaw, Waukegan has won at least 26 games three times, highlighted by a Class 4A second-place finish in 2009 and a third-place finish in 2010.
“Our challenges are greater than many programs, which is why we don’t even officially count last season,” Ashlaw said, noting 13 of the team’s 15 varsity players were seniors in 2018-19.
Ashlaw said Reddick is instrumental this season, not only for his production but also for his leadership on a young team.
“We have three sophomores and a freshman on the varsity this season,” Ashlaw said. “We’re young again, so to have a leader and vocal guy like Malachi is beyond critical mass. We couldn’t ask for a better guy captaining the ship, the right guy at the right time.”
Waukegan’s Davelle Tanner goes up for a dunk during a practice at the school’s Washington campus on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021. (Rob Dicker / News-Sun)
Davelle Tanner, a 6-foot-3 sophomore forward in his first year in the program, said he’s been leaning on Reddick to guide him through the preseason.
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“I know I have to do everything, but mainly grabbing rebounds and working on blocking shots and trying to get to the rim,” Tanner said. “Malachi’s been talking a lot to me, letting me know everything I need to do and what to expect.”
The Bulldogs have four juniors — Izaiah Diaz, Lawrence Harris, Davyon Powell and Josh Hunter — who were brought up to the varsity as freshmen. Ashlaw expects to utilize a rotation of “eight or nine players” to pick and choose for his starting lineup, depending on matchups.
In his abbreviated junior season earlier this year, Reddick was one of the bright spots for the Bulldogs. He embraced playing on the varsity team for the first time, helping the younger players endure the season without losing their focus.
Ashlaw said Reddick is the ideal player to lead the Bulldogs now.
“He’s a wonderful kid, just very skilled,” Ashlaw said. “He’s a gamer, a legit player, has a natural feel for the game. What separates him the most right now is he’s locked in from the beginning of practice until it’s long over with. … He doesn’t take a mental minute off. He’s dialed in like nobody we’ve had.”
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune. Waukegan’s Malachi Reddick is familiar with the formula for winning. He has seen it in action. It’s just that Reddick was a freshman point guard playing on the freshman team at the time. He watched the Bulldogs soar to new heights in 2018-19, winning a program-record 28 games. Since then, the Bulldogs have fallen on hard times, winning just two of 42 games over the past two seasons, including the abbreviated one earlier this year. Now a senior leader, the 5-foot-10 Reddick said he’s driven to help Waukegan become one of the elite teams in Lake County again. “We had a good, long preseason,” Reddick said. “We consistently had guys here, so that’s a good sign. We’re all serious about winning, to change things from what’s happened here the past few years. We want to show people what Waukegan is about. “I remember seeing those guys from three years ago, just how happy they were. … I want Waukegan basketball to be great again.” Coach Ron Ashlaw said the Bulldogs’ recent slide to the bottom of the North Suburban Conference standings is difficult to stomach. Under Ashlaw, Waukegan has won at least 26 games three times, highlighted by a Class 4A second-place finish in 2009 and a third-place finish in 2010. “Our challenges are greater than many programs, which is why we don’t even officially count last season,” Ashlaw said, noting 13 of the team’s 15 varsity players were seniors in 2018-19. Ashlaw said Reddick is instrumental this season, not only for his production but also for his leadership on a young team. “We have three sophomores and a freshman on the varsity this season,” Ashlaw said. “We’re young again, so to have a leader and vocal guy like Malachi is beyond critical mass. We couldn’t ask for a better guy captaining the ship, the right guy at the right time.” Waukegan’s Davelle Tanner goes up for a dunk during a practice at the school’s Washington campus on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021. (Rob Dicker / News-Sun) Davelle Tanner, a 6-foot-3 sophomore forward in his first year in the program, said he’s been leaning on Reddick to guide him through the preseason. Lake County News Sun Newsletter Twice-weekly News updates from Lake County delivered every Monday and Wednesday “I know I have to do everything, but mainly grabbing rebounds and working on blocking shots and trying to get to the rim,” Tanner said. “Malachi’s been talking a lot to me, letting me know everything I need to do and what to expect.” The Bulldogs have four juniors — Izaiah Diaz, Lawrence Harris, Davyon Powell and Josh Hunter — who were brought up to the varsity as freshmen. Ashlaw expects to utilize a rotation of “eight or nine players” to pick and choose for his starting lineup, depending on matchups. In his abbreviated junior season earlier this year, Reddick was one of the bright spots for the Bulldogs. He embraced playing on the varsity team for the first time, helping the younger players endure the season without losing their focus. Ashlaw said Reddick is the ideal player to lead the Bulldogs now. “He’s a wonderful kid, just very skilled,” Ashlaw said. “He’s a gamer, a legit player, has a natural feel for the game. What separates him the most right now is he’s locked in from the beginning of practice until it’s long over with. … He doesn’t take a mental minute off. He’s dialed in like nobody we’ve had.” Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.