Boys basketball: Boetel brothers making mark at Valparaiso

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Brothers Bret and Drew Boetel before practice at Valparaiso High School Wedneday Feb. 8, 2012. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media

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Updated: March 11, 2012 8:52AM

Nothing has been handed to Drew Boetel as a member of the Valparaiso basketball program. Nothing.

In fact, the senior point guard’s tour with the Vikings has been somewhat trying at times. Yet, Boetel’s conviction and desire to play varsity basketball at Valparaiso never wavered. And now that this is his time, Boetel is savoring every moment.

“I’m really proud of him,” Vikings coach Joe Otis said. “We have four players out of the 10 on varsity who weren’t in the program last year. Drew is really the guy that had to come through for us. And he’s done that.”

It’s funny hearing that said about a player who was forced to play junior varsity last year during his junior season and who missed most of his sophomore season because of head injuries.

But as the Vikings continue to be one of the area’s most surprising teams, it’s Boetel who serves as that proverbial glue all teams hope to have within their programs. And while Boetel revels in his short time as an integral varsity player, he’s able to do so with his little brother alongside.

Sophomore Bret Boetel has emerged as a key factor in Valparaiso’s success and is clearly a important future cog in the Vikings’ program. And big brother Drew couldn’t be more proud.

“It’s almost surreal,” Drew said. “We would joke about it back when we played as kids at the Boys and Girls Club. Now we’re actually playing together.

“I think he’s going to be really good. He’s going to have three years of varsity basketball, and that’s huge.”

Drew would have loved to have had a similar experience, but a concussion he suffered during the football season his sophomore year held him out early during that basketball season. He then suffered a second concussion later in the season in a fluke accident at basketball practice. He said he played in just four junior varsity games that year.

Then last season, as a junior, Drew found himself surrounded by a talented group of seniors. It meant he would get limited varsity time, so he played primarily with the JV team and saw action in 20 varsity quarters. Mostly, he played mop-up time on varsity.

But now, with returning guard Bryon Duncan lost for the season with a knee injury suffered during football, Drew runs the show at point for the Vikings. He’s also the team’s best 3-point shooter, and Otis called him the team’s most creative player. And the crazy thing is, Drew is somewhat glad he didn’t play varsity last year.

“That’s the only way you can really look at it,” Drew said. “I got to play with the guys I’m playing with now. That definitely helps team chemistry. That’s part of the reason we’re doing so well this year.”

With 12 victories this season, the Vikings have matched the number of wins last year’s team had during the regular season.

“We’ve had a lot of fun this year in a year when we had zero expectations,” Otis said.

As for Bret, he’s taking a cue from his brother and reveling in his time on varsity — and with his brother.

Prior to Thursday’s game against Lake Central, Bret had started four games at guard for the Vikings, including the last two.

“Yeah, it really has been a surprise,” Bret said. “I started out on JV, and they bumped me up to varsity. I wasn’t expecting to get as much time as I am now. And I wasn’t expecting to start either. It’s an honor to be able to start for this team.”

There likely will be many more starting assignments in Bret’s career with the Vikings. Otis projects him out as a point guard despite his length.

“Bret’s taller with long arms, and he’s not done growing yet,” Otis said. “We have two real point guards on the team, and the Boetels are it.”