Seahawks hitting stride behind Zach Bloch’s growing leadership

photo by: Carter Gaskins

Bishop Seabury's Zach Bloch (11) looks to make a pass to teammate Luke Hornberger (32) over Veritas' Will Rau (10) on Friday Jan. 11, 2019, at Bishop Seabury Academy in Lawrence.

Bishop Seabury sophomore Zach Bloch is humble by nature.

He doesn’t say too many words, and he defers to his teammates more often than not. Still, as the team’s starting point guard, Bloch has had a leadership role thrusted upon him. At first, it wasn’t always easy for Bloch to take control.

But Bloch has embraced it more as of late, and the Seahawks have been clicking as a result.

“Obviously, he’s a great player. He shoots the ball and handles it,” BSA coach Jonathan Raney said. “He’s a special player, but he’s also developing his leadership. Guys look up to him, they follow him. He’s not vocal by nature, but he’s been able to take on that role. Guys have been able to feed off that.”

Bishop Seabury (12-4, No. 10 in Class 2A) has won six of its last seven games, including three straight, ahead of the most importance week of the season. The Seahawks are the No. 2 seed in their sub-state bracket, and will play host to Olathe’s Heritage Christian Academy at 7 p.m. Monday.

More importantly, Bishop Seabury’s talented young roster has formed an identity at the most opportune time. The Seahawks are playing tough, unselfish basketball down the stretch.

Sophomores Stavian Jones and Miles Branch have shown the ability to put up big performances on any given night. Freshman Joao Carlos Ramirez even notched a 26-point performance during the team’s three-game win streak. Senior Chris Green, along with juniors Henry Nelson, Sam Bayliss and Luke Hornberger, have all made significant contributions, as well.

The team has bought it, and that’s a credit to Bloch setting a good example. Bloch is the first one in and last one out. Raney sometimes has to tell him to go home or take a day off, because Bloch is so devoted to his game.

“We have taken a lot of steps the last few weeks,” Bloch said. “I feel like I had to become more of a leader, because we weren’t playing at our best. We needed someone to pick us up when we are down, so I tried to be that guy.”

The offense runs through Bloch, who dictates the style and tempo as the team’s point guard. The Seahawks have shown great ball movement, and are willing to pass up good looks for even better shots on any possession.

Make no mistake, though, Bloch will certainly get the first look if Bishop Seabury is in a tight game in the fourth quarter at any point this week. Bloch has earned that right by hitting a pair of game winners after winter break.

Both clutch buckets took place against Veritas, giving Bishop Seabury two wins in the private school version of the City Showdown. Bloch’s first buzzer beater was a step-back triple from the right wing to give BSA a 51-50 win on Jan. 11. After hitting the shot, Bloch paused for a moment before being mobbed by his teammates and the student section.

“I just remember the look on my teammates’ faces, and how happy coach was in the locker room. That’s what it is all about,” Bloch said. “The first one will always be special.”

After hitting his first game winner, Bloch’s late-game heroics had become second nature.

Bloch knew exactly what to do when he received the inbound pass and had to go the length of the court in five seconds, rushing down the left side with three Veritas defenders draped all over him. Bloch jabbed hard with his right foot before lunging back to drill the step-back triple from the left corner as time expired to finish off a 65-63 overtime win on Feb. 8.

“He definitely thrives in those moments, he wants the ball in his hands,” Raney said. “He wants to make the big shot, and he doesn’t shy away whatsoever.”

Those two plays will stand out during a sensational sophomore campaign by Bloch.

Bloch has thrown alley-oop passes to Branch, he’s splashed plenty of perimeter shots and played prolific defense. Raney, who is in his second season at the helm, knew Bloch was capable of doing this when he first met him.

But the fact that Bloch has done so this soon gives the Seahawks confidence that they can win three games to return to the Class 2A state tournament.

“As a coach, you always look at if the point guard has a feel for the game,” Raney said. “He can shoot it, he can pass it, but you have to have intelligence. His feel for the game and his intelligence really separates him.”

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