Lincoln-Way Central’s Logan Baechtold discovered his passion for basketball through endless games at home with his twin sister, Brooke.
Whether through a serious competition or a friendly practice, the twins have constantly pushed each other in the sport. Logan is now a starting senior forward for the Knights, while Brooke is in the same position for the girls team.
“It’s always been fun, just going out in the driveway every day and competing with her or just getting shots up together,” Logan said. “Or getting in the gym together in the offseason.
“It’s always nice to have someone to do that with.”
Baechtold is seeing those extra sibling battles pay off. He came through with 10 key points Saturday to help visiting Lincoln-Way Central hold on for a 60-57 win over crosstown rival Providence in New Lenox.
Korey Cagnolatti led the Knights (10-5) with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Kevin Barrett scored 15 points, while Jack Rimkunas chipped in with six points and six rebounds.
Seth Cheney poured in 28 points for Providence (5-11). Kelechi Enyia finished with 18 points and seven rebounds and Ryan Lipke added seven points.
It was a sluggish first half for the Knights, but Baechtold hit a key 3-pointer in the final minute of each of the first two quarters, the latter pulling his team into a 28-28 tie at halftime.
“I’m impressed by how Logan can hit big shots,” Cagnolatti said. “He hit that corner three to pick us up before halftime. Playing with him all four years of high school, it’s always easy to depend on him.”
Baechtold was fired up about boosting his team with the key shots.
“It felt great,” he said. “We started off kind of rough, and those were a couple big momentum threes to get us going and give us a little cushion that we needed toward the end.”
Baechtold feels ready for big moments, having played a key role on the Knights’ volleyball team in addition to his basketball experience.
“I think playing volleyball makes me a tougher player,” he said. “If I’m tired, it helps me be able to push through it and finish games. It makes me overall a better athlete.
“Being a two-sport athlete gives me something to do. I’m a competitive guy and I just like going out there every day and competing with my team against other schools.”
In Saturday’s crosstown battle, the Celtics made a big late run, trimming a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to two behind 12 points from Cheney and 10 from Eniya.
Barrett hit a pair of free throws in the final minute and Lincoln-Way Central got a defensive stop to hold on as Cheney’s potential game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer was off the mark.
“It’s always fun playing rivalry games, facing our Route 30 rivals in New Lenox,” Cagnolatti said. “And it’s even better to beat these teams.”
Baechtold was in the game for the key moments down the stretch. Those are the opportunities he’s worked hard to earn by fixing the weaknesses that caused him to watch the ends of games from the bench at times last season.
“I was starting a good amount of last season but there were times I’d be pulled in the fourth quarter for ballhandling or free throws or whatever,” he said. “I just accepted it and played my role.
“This year, it was just about getting mentally tougher and being able to finish games off. Staying in the game, knocking free throws down, handling the ball and closing out games.”
Brian Flaherty, who’s in his first year as Lincoln-Way Central’s coach, now sees Baechtold as one of his most reliable players.
“Logan’s a great kid and he’s a high-character kid,” Flaherty said. “You can always count on him. He’s always steady. He makes very few mistakes and he’s always in the right spot.”
