Mater Dei senior had vision of leading his team to a state title; it almost came true
After a long and demanding regular season followed by the first three stages of Illinois’ high school basketball “March Madness,” Caleb Zurliene and his Mater Dei Knights teammates were exactly where they wanted to be.
That place was the IHSA Class 2A State Basketball Tournament at Peoria Civic Center’s Carver Arena. Ranked among the top 10 teams in the Associated Press Class 2A poll most of the season, the Knights were less than 24 hours away from taking on three-time defending state champion Chicago Orr in a state semifinal game.
But as they prepared to eat a team dinner on Thursday, March 12, the Knights got news their dream had ended.
“We had just finished working out at (Carver Arena) and coach (Ron) Schadegg wanted to take us to dinner. We were sitting there and we saw that the IHSA had canceled the state tournament due to the coronavirus pandemic,” Zurliene recalled this week.
“I think we were all in shock and of course we were all extremely disappointed. We had worked so hard to get there. We understood why and realize that there are things much bigger that basketball, but for a lot of us, we had been working towards this for years to have the chance to play in the state tournament before so many people.”
Voted as the Belleville News-Democrat Class 1A-2A Player of the Year, the 6-6 170-pound Zurliene now has his sights set on another goal. With schools closed for the remainder of the year due to COVID-19, Zurliene is completing high school classes on line while spending most of his free time working out as he prepares for the start of his college career.
Zurliene will attend and play basketball at Purdue Northwest University in Hammond, Indiana, beginning in August.
“My (college) coach sent me a workout schedule and plan that I’ve been working with and staying in shape,” Zurliene said. “It’s not hard to stay motivated because I know I have to put on some weight and get stronger to play at and be ready for the next (college) level.
“Skills wise, I just need to keep working and improving on everything. But I know I have to get stronger.”
A two-year starter and key reserve as a sophomore for the Knights, Zurliene teamed with senior guard Jacob Schadegg to form one of the top combinations in Southern Illinois during the 2019-20 season. Zurliene averaged 16.1 points and just under 6 rebounds while shooting over 61 percent from the field for a Mater Dei squad which finished 30-5.
Zurliene averaged 11.8 points and 4 rebounds as a junior for a Mater Dei team which was 21-12 and lost to eventual Class 3A state champion East St. Louis in the regional title game.
But this season, the high-flying Zurliene was one of the top difference-makers in the St. Louis area.
“Caleb has certainly left a legacy for some future Knights to chase as he probably had more dunks this year alone then the entire program in its history,” Schadegg said. “This season he was a complete basketball player and made guys around him better and that solidified us as a group. It was easy for our other guys to play around him because of the type of player he is. The end result Caleb always chased was winning and that’s a big reason we won 30 games and were in the final four.
“Not only is he valuable on the court but he is such a high character individual and has been a true asset to the Mater Dei school as a whole. You will not meet a nicer kid, that’s for sure.”
Mater Dei star provides sturdy senior leadership
Being a senior, Zurliene also gained more confidence in his ability to be a leader. On a team of exceptional athletes, Zurliene was one of several stabilizing forces both on and off the floor for the Knights.
“Basketball wise I have always been pretty balanced on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court,” Zurliene said. “This season being a senior I was able to be more confident in my ability to step up as a leader.
“I think the difference in this team from last year was how close we were both on and off the court. Most of us have been playing ball together since we were really young and we know and trust each other. Plus we all had that goal of getting to and winning a state title.’’
Zurliene to leave lasting legacy at Mater Dei
Schadegg said Mater Dei fans will remember Zurliene for many years to come.
“Caleb has been one of the most electrifying and exciting players ever to wear a Mater Dei uniform. He made himself into a great high school player by committing from day one to being the best he can be on the basketball court ... he has earned all the accolades with his years worth of gym time and it showed,” Schadegg said.
“He had a vision of playing for a state championship when he arrived on campus as a freshman and everything fell into place for that to happen (almost). Each year he elevated his game in another aspect and he will continue that I’m sure when he heads off to college next year. ‘’
Belleville News-Democrat Class 1A-2A Boys All-Area Basketball Team
Player of the Year
Caleb Zurliene, Mater Dei, sr. (16.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg)
Co-Coaches of the Year
Ron Schadegg, Mater Dei; and Maurice Baker, Madison
First Team
Carson Parker, Nashville, sr. (17.5 ppg)
Javonnie Moore, Madison, sr. (19.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3 assists, 3 steals)
Luke Ervie, Freeburg, sr. (14.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.5 assists)
Jackson Holmes, Columbia, jr. (17 ppg, 7.8 rpg)
Jacob Schadegg, Mater Dei, sr. (14.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2 assists)
Second Team
Gavin Huffman, Roxana, jr. (17.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2 assists, 2 steals)
AJ Smith, Metro East Lutheran, jr. (17.2 ppg)
Brett Terry, Marquette, sr. (12.0 ppg, 6 rpg, 2.2 assists)
Jackson Heckert, Okawville, sr. (12.7 ppg, 6 rpg.)
Daulton Burgner, Althoff, sr. (14.6 ppg)
(Tie) Sebastion Ivory-Greer, Marissa, sr. (16.4 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 assists, 3 steals)
Honorable Mention
Will Ache, Althoff; Andrew Beckman, Roxana; Jacob Blomenkamp, Freeburg; Cameron Brandmeyer, Wesclin; Colin Brueggemann, Freeburg; Jack Bruening, Althoff; Walter Bursey, Madison; Spencer Cox, Marquette; Lucas Frederking, Okawville; Grant Fridley, Wesclin; Robert Gaither, Lovejoy; Mitchell Haake, Mater Dei; Kameron Hanvey, Gibault; Tristen Hercules, Nashville; Hayden Hoffmann, Carlyle; Emit Jansen, Central; Logan Jones, Marissa; Keshawn Kent, Lovejoy: Alex Kueker, Red Bud; D’Andre Loston, Lovejoy; Jalen Moore, Madison; Terry Pelczynski, Nashville; Joe Range, New Athens; Philip Reinhardt, Valmeyer; Jacob Rowold, Valmeyer; Blake Steinwagner, Marissa; Bradon Thomas, Central; Carter Wiegard, Red Bud.
