Lincoln Way East Basketball: Why the Griffins Are Always in the Hunt

Walk into the gym at Frankfort on a Friday night and you’ll feel it immediately. The air is thick. It’s loud. There’s this specific brand of South Suburban Blue intensity that you just don’t find in every Illinois high school. Lincoln Way East basketball isn’t just a winter distraction for a football school; it’s a program that has spent years clawing its way into the conversation of the state's elite. While the football team usually grabs the national headlines, the hoops program has built a culture of "toughness first" that makes them a nightmare matchup in the IHSA playoffs.

They play hard.

It sounds like a cliché, right? Every coach says it. But with the Griffins, it’s basically a requirement for stepping on the hardwood. If you aren't diving for a loose ball or rotating on a help-side defensive assignment, you’re probably sitting next to the coaching staff on the bench.

The Blueprint of the Griffins’ Success

Success in Frankfort doesn't happen by accident. Honestly, the secret sauce is the multi-sport athlete. For years, people thought being a "football school" would hurt the basketball team's chemistry. They figured the kids would show up late in November, out of shape for cardio, and struggle with their shooting touch.

The opposite happened.

The physical strength these players bring from the gridiron to the court changes the math. When you have guys like BJ Powell or the versatile wings that have cycled through this program, you aren't just playing basketball; you're surviving a 32-minute physical grind. They thrive in the Southwest Suburban Conference (SWSC), which is arguably one of the most grueling schedules in the state. You have to deal with Bolingbrook, Homewood-Flossmoor, and Sandburg. There are no "night off" games.

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Defensive Identity Under the Lights

If you watch a Lincoln Way East basketball game, pay attention to the gaps. They don't gamble much. They play a disciplined, man-to-man shell that forces teams into long, contested jumpers. It’s frustrating to play against. It’s even more frustrating to coach against.

I’ve talked to opposing coaches who say the same thing: "You think you have an open lane, and then three jerseys are there." That’s the byproduct of a system that values communication over highlight-reel blocks. They don't care about your mixtape. They care about the scoreboard at the end of the fourth quarter.

Key Players Who Built the Tradition

You can’t talk about this program without mentioning the names that stayed late to get shots up when the gym lights were flickering. We've seen guys who could absolutely light it up from deep, but the most impactful Griffins are usually the ones who do the dirty work.

Take a look at the 2023-2024 roster, for instance. You had guys like Kyle Olagbegi and BJ Powell providing that veteran leadership. Powell, specifically, showed what it means to be a floor general in a high-pressure environment. It wasn't just about the points per game. It was about knowing when to slow the tempo down when the crowd was losing their minds.

• The Guard Play: Usually fast, downhill runners who can finish through contact.
• The Bigs: Often undersized compared to the private school giants in Chicago, but they out-rebound everyone through sheer leverage and positioning.
• The Bench: This is where the Griffins often win. Their depth is ridiculous.

The program has seen a steady stream of talent heading to the collegiate level, proving that you can get recruited out of Frankfort just as easily as you can from a city powerhouse. The scouts are noticing. They see the footwork. They see the IQ.

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Dealing With the "Football School" Label

Let's be real for a second. Being a powerhouse in football is a double-edged sword for a basketball team. When the football team makes a deep run into the state finals—which they almost always do—the basketball team starts the season behind the 8-ball.

Sometimes the stars don't even touch a basketball until December.

But there’s a psychological edge there. These kids are winners. They’ve played in front of 10,000 people in Champaign or DeKalb. A Tuesday night regional game doesn't rattle them. While other teams are shaking during warmups, the Griffins are treating it like just another day at the office. That mental toughness is why Lincoln Way East basketball is consistently a threat to win 20+ games a year, regardless of how late the football season goes.

The Coaching Factor

Continuity matters. In an era where coaches jump ship for the next "big" job every three years, having a steady hand at the helm in Frankfort has been massive. The staff knows the community. They know the middle school feeders. They aren't just coaching a team; they're managing an entire pipeline of talent from the junior high levels up.

What to Expect in the Coming Seasons

The trajectory is pointing up. The school district is massive, and the talent pool is deep. However, the challenge remains the same: getting past the sectional hump. The Chicago suburban basketball scene is a meat grinder. To make it to the state finals, you usually have to go through a gauntlet of Top-25 ranked teams in the state.

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Recent seasons have shown that the Griffins are closing the gap. They are no longer just "competitive." They are "dangerous." They’ve started picking up wins against traditional city powers, proving that the South Suburbs can hoop with anyone.

The Rivalry Games

If you want to see Lincoln Way East basketball at its peak, you have to show up for the Lincoln-Way Central or West games. It’s more than just a game; it’s about bragging rights in the New Lenox and Frankfort area. The intensity levels spike. The scouting reports are three inches thick. These games usually come down to who makes the fewer mistakes in the final two minutes.

How to Follow the Team and Get Involved

For fans and parents, staying updated isn't as hard as it used to be. The school's athletic department is pretty active on social media, and local outlets like the Daily Southtown provide decent coverage, though nothing beats being in the stands.

If you're a player looking to make the roster, you've gotta realize that talent is only half the battle. They look for "East" guys—kids who show up for 6:00 AM lifting sessions and don't complain about playing defense.

Actionable Steps for Aspiring Griffins and Fans

To truly understand or join the culture of Lincoln Way East basketball, consider these specific moves:

1. Attend the Summer Shootouts: This is where the team chemistry is actually built. If you want to see who the next breakout star is, skip the winter opener and go to the June games. That’s where the real work happens.
2. Focus on Lateral Quickness: If you're a young player in the Frankfort area, your shooting matters, but your ability to slide your feet on defense will get you on the court faster. The Griffins' system relies on elite perimeter containment.
3. Support the Feeder Programs: The success of the high school team starts with the local travel and recreational leagues. Engaging with the youth programs ensures the "toughness" culture is instilled early.
4. Watch the Tape: Don't just watch the ball. Watch how the Griffins rotate in their zone or man-to-man sets. There’s a high-level basketball IQ being taught in that gym that serves as a masterclass for any student of the game.

The road to a state title is never easy, especially in Illinois Class 4A. But Lincoln Way East has proven they have the grit, the coaching, and the raw athleticism to stay in the hunt every single year. They aren't going anywhere.

Whether it's a cold January night or a high-stakes March matchup, you can bet the Griffins will be there, playing harder than just about anyone else in the building. That’s just Frankfort basketball.