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Depew's Osika earns Times' Player of Year
By Steven Dlugosz Times
 | | LEADER...Depew senior Greg Osika, left, carried much of the load this season for the Wildcats. (Times file photo) |
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Depew boys basketball senior Greg Osika wears his heart and soul on his sleeve. His desire and leadership are to be admired, and Wildcats head coach Larry Jones knows that this point guard is a player that doesn't come along often.
For his efforts, Osika earns the Times' boys basketball Player of the Year award, edging senior point guard Donte Parker of Cheektowaga Central.
Osika, a threeyear varsity veteran, disp layed poise and confi- dence whenever h e stepped on the court, improving his game to the point where he was simp l y irreplacable in the starting lineup for the Wildcats.
The last two years have produced among the best-ever back-to-back campaigns at Depew, as the 'Cats racked up a combined 41-5 record and advancing to the Section VI Class A-2 championship game at Buffalo State College both seasons.
Although Osika's numbers were solid this season (11.1 points per game, five assists and nearly four steals per contest, to go along with four rebounds per game), they don't display the most clear indication of Osika's dominance. His best attribute, particularly this season and also last year, was making team- mates better. His defense is also second-to-none.
Jones said that Osika was the most disruptive and effective" def ensive player he has ever coached, adding that the senior's ins tincts, timing and leadership were fabulous.
"His understanding and knowledge of being in passing lanes was fantastic," Jones said. "Kids would watch him in practice and learn from him. He made other players better in practice."
Osika was a big-game player, an athlete who relished important moments on the court. In a defining moment early in the season, he almost single-handedly guided Depew to a thrilling, double-overtime win against archrival Maryvale, hitting several big shots and finding teammates underneath the basket for layups.
Then, in a showdown against Parker in a battle of top, local point guards in ECIC-III, Osika stripped the Warriors' point guard four straight times to open the game, resulting in steals and fast-break points for the Wildcats. Depew went on to sweep both Maryvale and Central en route to a 14-0 record and first place in Erie County Interscholastic Scholastic III.
"He's not afraid of taking the big shot or making the big play," Jones said of Osika. "He'd penetrate and get to the basket or find teammates. He plays a whole lot bigger than his size. He and Kevin (Dudkowski) were our vocal leaders...None of our kids have the gaudy stats, but they all understood their individual roles to help the team succeed as a whole."
With Osika guiding the ship, Depew also ended a two-year playoff jinx this season against the Flyers in the Class A-2 quarterfinals, thumping Maryvale on the Wildcats' home court.
"All the hard work finally paid off," Osika said of the milestones his team accomplished. "I work hard and I've always liked playing defense. Playing against other great players in the division is good motivation and competition...The big crowds and loud fans brought more to each rivalry."
Osika, who along with Parker was selected to the All-ECIC Team and First Team ECIC-III, added that his fearless playing style comes from playing against older athletes when he was growing up. He played grammar school basketball at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, and his older sister, Natalie, was an outstanding athlete at Depew as well.
Osika added that Coach Jones has been a big influence on his career, stressing to all of his players the importance of academics and staying out of trouble off the court. Keeping players focused from the get-go is another of Jones's philosophies, and Osika said counting league, summer workouts and other contests, he's played in 56 games this season.
The senior said he'll miss winning memories and postseason runs with Depew. Completing a three-game sweep of Maryvale this season, he said, ranks among his top high school memories.
Osika, who was also a key player on the Wildcats' varsity football team the last couple of seasons, stated that he intends on playing basketball at the collegiate level, adding that he's considering attending D'Youville College, Houghton College or the University of Pittsburgh Bradford.
Jones said Osika's will and tenacity can help him succeed at the next level of hardwood competition.
"(College) coaches I've talked to want him to step in and play," Jones said. "They like the fact that he competes at such a high level."
Osika is the first non-Maryvale player in several seasons to earn the Times' boys hoops Player of the Year Award. Last season, Matt Brennan of the Flyers won the award, preceeded the season before by co- Times Players of the Year from Maryvale Santo Lamar and Garrett Kensy.
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