Sidesky a true leader for Vikings

One would think the biggest smile in the locker room belongs to the player who hit the game-winning shot. And sure, Jordan McKeon was flashing his pearly whites when he did just that in New Berlin West's 51-50 victory over Whitnall on Dec. 20.

But the happiest face in locker room, West head coach Jeff Lewiston said, belonged to senior guard Dan Sidesky: the captain, the best returning player from a defending conference championship team, the guy scoring more than 20 points a game for the 5-3 Vikings.

But that night, he scored 2 points - as few as anyone who entered the game for either team. But it didn't matter. That's Dan Sidesky.

"I'm always telling my team that they're capable of doing great things," Sidesky said. "I remember telling (McKeon) after the third quarter to keep his confidence up, and that he was going to be the hero of the fourth quarter. I didn't have the best game, but it makes a player feel great to see someone else step up like that."

Carrying the burden

Sidesky was left with what some might consider a heavy burden after last season. He was one of the only key contributors returning from a team that went 18-5 and 17-1 in the Blue Division of the Woodland Conference. He knew early on he would be forced to tow the load for the Vikings, like it or not. And not only would the team change, but he would have to revamp his game almost completely.

Chad Mathwig was gone - he's at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh now, earning significant playing time as a 6-foot-6 freshman forward. Gone with him are 17 points per game and a dominant inside presence that the Vikings built around last season. No longer could Sidesky, as his coach said, "Stand around the arch and shoot daggers."

"Last year, he was complementary," Lewiston said. "This year, he's not. He has to handle the ball more. He's not getting the same wide-open looks. He drives, he has to take it to the hole, and he's the leader. Early on it was a challenge, but he's such a coachable kid. He wanted to know how he could change his game to be a better player."

The leadership role is one Sidesky embraces. If you ask him about his best asset as a player, he'll tell you - after a lengthy pause - that it's getting the most out of others.

"I'd have to say being a motivator," he said. "I try to do all the right things; it's not always just leading by example - I say things that need to be said, but I try not to open my mouth every five seconds just to open it. I try to avoid being a cliché."

Work ethic pays off

While Lewiston acknowledges Sidesky's importance as a leader, he's more direct when asked the same question.

"He's a shooter," he said. "I don't want to limit him to just that, but if you're looking for one thing, he's a great catch-and-shoot kid. He's the first kid in the gym and the last one out. He wants to do well, and he'll work all night and all the time if he could."

It's that work ethic that transformed Sidesky from a one-dimensional perimeter threat to a complete player - one who could very well be playing at the next level a year from now. There was a time when Lewiston considered sending Sidesky back to junior varsity during his sophomore season, but Sidesky vowed to work his way into a meaningful role.

Sidesky became the sixth man that season, and as a junior, he claimed a starting spot when a senior went down with an injury. He never relinquished his spot in the lineup.

"I expected him to be a sixth man," Lewiston said. "Then he went from January through February and was lights-out in practice and had a few games where he hit five or six 3-pointers."

"There was a point toward the end of summer league in Bay View," Sidesky said, "one of the few games (Lewiston) saw; I was playing with some younger guys, and we were we were playing OK, but he told me at halftime, there has to be a point where you take over. I kind of took over the second half, I ended up hitting a game-winner at the buzzer, and I think at that point I realized I was capable of being pretty good."

Future looks bright

While the roster has changed drastically at West, the goals remain the same. Sidesky wants to protect the conference championship. He also wants to play college basketball, but when prompted about his future that takes a backseat.

"I want to go into nursing," Sidesky said. "It's a good fit for me. It's satisfying; I'm a people person, and I really like helping people."

His opponents on the court this season might disagree.

NEW BERLIN CLASSIC

Vikings 71 Reagan/Lifelong Learning 36

Dan Sidesky scored 30 points, including 19 in the first quarter to spark the Vikings to a 44-22 halftime lead. He had 16 of his team's first 18 points, and four of his five 3-pointers came before intermission.

Darin Sowinski continued his impressive season with 11 points. New Berlin West's defense got better as the game went on, holding Reagan/Lifelong Learning to four points in the fourth quarter.

Manitowoc Lincoln 48 Vikings 44

Sidesky was red-hot against the Ships despite the loss, as he poured in 24 points, including three treys and 7-of-9 from the free-throw line.

Trailing 22-19, Sidesky scored 10 points in the third quarter to give the Vikings a 36-32 lead, but the Ships doubled up the score in the fourth period (16-8) for the win.