(La Porte, IN) - The nationally ranked La Lumiere college prep boys’ basketball team held an open practice last night at the La Porte Civic Auditorium.

 

Head Coach Pat Holmes said his team, with just two returning players from last year, has the potential to bring home a national championship, but this year’s crop of new players need time to learn how to play better together.

 

“We’re very talented but it’s a lot of new guys,” he said.

 

For a moment, Holmes, during practice, led his players off the court for a quick tongue-lashing on the need to play with more energy.

 

“Our competitive spirit needs to get better. It’s early. We’ll get there,” he said.

 

La Lumiere, which has several graduates in the NBA, won the national title in 2017 and has come close several times since then.

 

Expected to lead the way for the Lakers is junior Jalen Haralson.

 

The 6’7” Haralson, being recruited by NCAA Division 1 teams like Indiana, Purdue, and Duke, transferred from Fishers near Indianapolis. He says he came to La Lumiere to improve from being pushed harder and playing against better competition.

 

“I can definitely see the improvements in my body, my mindset, my skill set. I feel like I took this really well,” he said.

 

Senior Steven Solano, of New York City, is also expected to make a good impact as the 6’11” center makes slam-dunking the ball seem effortless.

 

“A lot of special players come to his program. I’m just looking for a place where I can develop my talent and be in the best position possible to get to the next level where it’s college for the NBA,” he said.

 

He's being recruited by colleges like St. John's, Loyola-Chicago, and Michigan. 

 

After practice, several players signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans.