Illinois Basketball Coaches Association recognizes Chance Izard on Special Mention list

Chance Izard, St. Joseph-Ogden High School senior guard, was named to the Special Mention list of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) Class 2A All-State Team for his accomplishments during the 2019-20 season.

Izard led the 23-9 Spartan squad, averaging 16.2 points per game with a high game of 36 points against Bloomington Central Catholic. He was the team’s leading scorer in 17 games.

“Being recognized in the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Special Mention team is a huge honor to me, and it serves as a reflection of all the past years that I’ve put into the sport,” Izard said. “Not just the practices, games, workouts, etc., but the friendships with players, coaches, and the overall relationships I have built with the incredible people throughout my journey of being a Spartan.”

From a young age, Izard worked on consistency in order to become a leader.

“Consistency means showing up to every practice, walk-through, game, film session, etc., and carrying the same mindset — pushing every kid around you to be better, and trying to express the significance of the limited amount of time we have with one another,” he said.

The team’s motto this year was to take everything day-by-day. Izard said that he did not always come to the court with that mindset, but the 2019-20 squad of Spartans helped.

“It was a little bit easier to overcome the sluggish practices and bring the team out of slumps when needed,” he said.

Losing to Tuscola in IHSA regional play a year ago in 2019 did not sit well with Izard.

“In the beginning of the season, we made it very clear as a team that we were not going to look past a single day,” Izard said. “Looking back at last year’s season and losing to Tuscola, a game that concluded our season much earlier than it needed to be, we realized that our focus was not as detailed and tailored as it should’ve been.”

Coaches kept athletes focused on every move, what each movement meant and how it affected the Spartans’ overall game during practice.

Izard said that this vision created the highlight of his senior year.

“Not the individual awards, not the 11-game winning streak, or winning conference, but the practices,” he said. “The amount of fun (we) had with each other can’t be described. It was a literal joy to come every day and get in with the coaching staff. Everyone was family. Everyone was a brother.”

Izard’s favorite memory of the 2019-20 season wasn’t even a game that the Spartans won.

In what Izard claims “wasn’t anywhere near to one of my better games, performance-wise,” the Spartans fell to Champaign Central, 43-39.

“But this was a game that had an electrifying atmosphere,” Izard said. “The crowd was wild, the gym was packed, and it was pure excitement overall.

“People talk about games where one team walks into a gym with absolutely zero expectancies to win, that was what this was. And even though we did lose, I thought our guys showed what SJ-O basketball really represents.”

SJ-O held a 31-21 third-quarter lead before the Maroons took control with a 15-0 run. Late in the third quarter, Champaign Central took the lead 33-31.

“For three quarters, we played them to a ‘T’,” Izard said. “Each individual had the scouting report down and we executed it perfectly. Sure we didn’t see the outcome that we wanted, but we revealed some of the potential we had.

“We operated that night as a unit and it brought a lot of confidence to all of us for what we had in store for the season. That game was special to us.”

Even more special was playing with the 11 seniors, most of whom he had grown up being right beside.

“It was more than a brotherhood, it was the fact that we got to go to class every day, hangout, the jokes, the laughs, we got to carry that onto the court every day, and that was a special thing for us,” he said.

“Each senior carried a different role this year and each senior executed their role. Each guy in that locker room was selfless and wanted what was best for the team, not so much the individual. And that created a special chemistry that was crucial to our success.”

Despite the large senior class, Izard was chosen to be the leader by head coach Kiel Duval.

“He challenged me, intensely, to embrace leadership and run with it. That was ultimately what was important,” Izard said.

Carrying the scoring load weighed heavily on Izard’s mind. Even though he took home the Toyota of Danville Classic MVP award, he felt as though his game was forced.

“When I was able to relax, and do the things I’m best at — getting to the rim, creating for others, pushing in transition, and being an overall facilitator — the scoring took care of itself,” Izard said.

“I think it was when this happened I also started to form into a leader. I sort of took a different perspective on the court, and I saw what other guys were capable of doing.”

Izard went on to challenge fellow seniors Payton Cain, Jordan Kelly and Payton Grimsley, bringing them out of their comfort zone to highlight their strengths.

“Being a leader to me is more than being the kid with the highest amount of points,” Izard said, “but being the kid who can bring out the best in everyone around them.

“Ultimately we weren’t going to be able to succeed if they didn’t break out from that shell. They were that vital.”

It’s similar to what Izard’s dad did to him as he was growing up.

“He’s been my guy ever since I was a little guy,” he said. “He has offered me every opportunity that I needed to get where I got.”

That love has been realized in the St. Joseph-Ogden High School coaching staff, too.

“I have never met a group of guys that truly cared as much as they did,” Izard said. “Each coach really did the most for us. Whether that meant traveling two hours on a weeknight to make a scouting report or staying after practice getting shots up with the guys.”

Izard said Duval goes beyond the extra mile.

“Ever since we were freshmen, he’s been our trainer, math teacher, and coach,” he said. “He literally would wake up at 5 a.m., call us to wake us up, and hit the gym with us.

“I don’t know a lot of coaches that are doing that. I am very thankful for the time spent with these coaches. They develop players on and off the court.”

Izard also earned the team MVP honor earlier this month.