Jamie Nikitas, left, Danny Nikitas and their father Danny Nikitas, center, pose at the brothers' first on-court meeting in December. Lake Forest athletics photos by Kerry Van Malderghem

Danny Nikitas has been battling a hip injury, but there is no doubt in his mind that he’ll play Jan. 27 when he and the Lake Forest men’s basketball team travel to Lawrence.

In fact, he can’t wait to play his older brother Jamie again.

Two years apart, Jamie – a junior at Lawrence, and Danny – a freshman at Lake Forest, were never high school teammates. But now they’re rivals in the Midwest Conference.

And if their first meeting on Dec. 9 is any indication, it’s going to be a fun rivalry for the entire Nikitas family.

“As soon as the schedule came out, I had the date memorized,” said Jamie, who leads Lawrence with an average of 16.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. “I think both of us did.”

As the first Nikitas family matchup approached, Jamie and Danny spoke often about how excited they were to meet on the hardwood. And naturally, there was some good natured taunting during those days leading up to the game.

“There was a little bit of trash-talk back and forth, but it was all in good fun,” recalled Danny, who is averaging 13.3 points per game this year for Lake Forest. “We were both looking forward to playing each other, so there was quite a bit of talking.”

The Nikitas’ teammates also took an interest in the intrafamily contest.

Without putting too much pressure on Danny, the Lake Forest players encouraged him to beat his older brother.

Likewise, the Lawrence players took an interest without putting too much emphasis on the matchup.

“I think we tried to make it as normal as possible, but obviously, everybody was aware of what was going on,” Jamie said.

While the players involved were looking forward to the matchup, the lead-up to the game was a lot more nerve-racking to the Nikitas’ parents.

“Leading up to it, I was not excited about it,” said “Big” Danny Nikitas, Jamie and Danny’s father and Lake Forest basketball alumnus. “You always want your kids to win, and we knew one of them wasn’t going to win that night. But as the game got there, and we realized how excited they were about it … it really was a fun night.”

With all the anticipation for the game, what Jamie and Danny both remember most were moments that took place before the contest even tipped off.

“During the starting lineups, having both of our names be introduced,” Jamie remembered. “Hearing two Nikitas names be introduced was just a real, cool moment.”

“Before the game starts, you go and shake everybody’s hand. I went to give Jamie one, and I hugged him. I was like ‘have a good game, have fun, let’s put on a show,’” Danny said. “It was fun to just connect before the game.”

Danny and Lake Forest got the better of Jamie and Lawrence, winning the game, 79-70, at LFC Sports Center.

But the crowd of more than 50 family members and friends on hand to watch the Nikitas brothers applauded each time either team had success.

“I think there was a lot positive cheer both ways,” Jamie said. “You could hear the cheers when either of us scored or made some type of play.”

 “It was like every basket each team scored, there were roars from that area of the stands,” Danny added.

Donning shirts that read “Team Nikitas” with both the Lawrence and Lake Forest team logos (they ran out shirts), Danny and Jamie’s personal fan section got to give the duo a rousing ovation when both players were subbed out of the game at the same time.

“It was a real cool moment for everyone there,” Jamie said. “My parents and my family really appreciated that.”

“The game had such a great atmosphere,” Big Danny said. “The one thing that stuck out really – beside from they both played well, both teams played well and it was a really good game – was when the coaches respected the situation and took them out. It was really sweet.”

The Nikitas brothers will rematch at Alexander Gym next week. They know what to expect now that they have played against one another, and they anticipate another fun matchup.

“I’m just as excited to play in a week, and I’m sure he is too,” Danny said.

 “I don’t know that it will be as hyped up,” Jamie added, noting he likely will have less jitters beforehand. “I still think it will be a lot of fun. Anytime you get to play against your brother, it’s a cool experience.”

The rematch is an important game for Lake Forest and Lawrence as both teams have aspirations of making the four-team Midwest Conference Tournament.

Currently, Lake Forest is in sixth place at 6-8 overall and 5-5 in MWC play. Lawrence (5-9, 3-6) is one spot behind the Foresters in the league standings.

“We talked about it from the beginning, getting into that conference tournament,” Danny said. “So these next eight games are crucial for us.”

This stretch of the season is key for Lawrence as well.

“One of the biggest things we talk about, too, is the process and enjoying the journey there. Whether or not we get (to the conference tournament), make sure we cherish every moment and do it together,” Jamie said. “We’re just trying to go out there and battle every day.”

If the Nikitas’ parents could have it their way, both teams would be successful – including when they meet again on Jan. 27.

“I’m not sure that’s possible,” Big Danny said with a laugh. “I can’t remember the last tie we had in a basketball game.”

1,000 points

Syklar Tsutsui scored 23 points in Carleton’s game with Bethel Saturday, becoming the 13th women’s basketball player at Carleton to surpass 1,000 career points. She has 1,019 points, which ranks her 11th on the program’s all-time scoring list.

St. Scholastica’s Mariah Hovick went over 1,000 points when she scored 25 versus UW-River Falls on Jan. 13. She now has 1,049 career points.

Concordia-Moorhead senior Alley Fisher became the 27th player in program history to score 1,000 points. Fisher surpassed the milestone with a 29-point effort against Macalester on Jan. 5. She now has 1,059 points.

Elmhurst’s Fiona McMahon went over the 1,000 point mark on Jan. 3. The senior currently has 1,091 points.

Coaching milestones

Carthage men’s basketball coach Bosko Djurickovic won his 500th career game when the Red Men topped Millikin, 80-76, Jan. 17. Djurickvoic is now 500-255 in his 29-year career and 304-176 in 20 seasons at Carthage.

Ruth Sinn won her 200th game as the head coach of the St. Thomas women’s basketball team. The Tommies defeated Hamline, 73-47, Jan. 17 to improve Sinn’s record to 200-69.

UW-River Falls women’s basketball coach Cindy Holbrook won her 200th game when the Falcons defeated St. Scholastica, 79-58, Jan. 13. Her record is now 201-179.

Where they rank

Augustana, UW-Whitewater and St. Thomas will spend another week ranked Nos. 1, 2 and 3, respectively, in the Top 25 poll. Augustana received 24 first place votes with the remaining nod going to St. Thomas.

UW-Stevens Point, St. Norbert, North Central (Ill.), Chapman and St. Olaf represent the Region ranked Nos. 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19, respectively. Elmhurst is ranked No. 22 for the second week in a row.

Whitworth (30), Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (26) and Illinois Wesleyan (26) received votes in this week’s men’s poll.

St. Thomas is the highest ranked women’s team in the Region, moving up two spots to No. 4. George Fox jumped four spots and is now ranked No. 6.

Transylvania and Wheaton are ranked Nos. 15 and 16, respectively, while Whitworth checks in at No. 18. Puget Sound, North Central (Ill.), UW-Oshkosh and Luther check in at Nos. 21, 22, 24 and 25, respectively.

St. Norbert (13) received votes.

Check in

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