Friendly rivalry hits the courts tonight

Basketball was the hook to what has developed into a close friendship between Brian Nelms and Mike LaTulip.

And a bond that began in sixth grade has extended beyond basketball for LaTulip and Nelms.

"We've done it a few times where we've finished each other's sentences," LaTulip said. "We're so alike and that's why we get along so well. We're always calling each other up and any time I can hang out with Brian I will."

They were at Nelms' house just last weekend. They'll play video games, work out or talk about a variety of interests.

"Obviously basketball started our relationship, but it's creepy how similar we are," Nelms said. "He's like my brother I've never had.

"Basketball plays a big part of it but whether it's sports, music or girls, we have the same interests. It's a little weird how similar we are."

They'll have some differences to settle at 6:30 p.m. today since the friends and junior guards are also on opposite sides of one of the Mid-Suburban League's biggest rivalries.

LaTulip and Prospect will be hosting Nelms and Rolling Meadows in an MSL East opener at Jean Walker Field House. LaTulip is averaging 18.7 points in three games and Nelms is at 14.5 in four.

And Nelms has a couple of scores he'd like to start settling tonight in a game where he and LaTulip may end up guarding each other.

"Since we're really good friends you want to outdo each other," Nelms said, "but it's more in wins and losses and right now I'm 0-2 against him."

It wasn't too long ago Nelms and LaTulip were in the same backcourt at South Middle School in Arlington Heights. Their eighth-grade team won its first 21 games and finished with only 2 losses.

"It was definitely fun," Nelms said.

"We could both really run the offense at point guard," said LaTulip, whose friendship with Nelms began when he moved in the sixth grade.

Then they went their separate ways for high school and immediately got to showcase their skills at a higher level. While LaTulip was on the sophomore team, Nelms found himself battling juniors and seniors in varsity games.

Achieving one of his goals also meant Nelms would go through growing pains before a lot of watchful eyes. He also had to adjust to playing with kids three or four years older who may not have been thrilled to have a freshman taking their playing time.

"I talked to coach (Kevin) Katovich a lot and the assistants, and I started off the year pretty well, but as the season went on I struggled," said Nelms, who averaged about 3 points a game. "But it was natural being a freshman and I wouldn't really change it.

"I kind of got that out of my system and that made last year a lot easier. I felt it was probably the best thing I could have done."

A more confident Nelms averaged 8.5 points last year alongside MSL scoring leader Richie Kemph. LaTulip made his jump to the varsity and averaged 15 points and hit 66 3-pointers in an all-area season.

"After every Friday night (freshman year) I would call him and ask, 'What was it like,'" LaTulip said. "I wanted to play so badly on the varsity team but I knew my time would come."

Now, with their experience, they're expected to provide leadership for their teams.

Nelms is one of Meadows' captains with junior Eric Lowe and senior Paul Volkman. LaTulip fills the same role for Prospect with seniors Grant DePalma and Matt Loebbaka.

Both have worked to expand their games. While LaTulip has extended his shooting range he also believes he is quicker and stronger so he can take the ball to the basket.

And the shooting ability of LaTulip and his older brother Joe drove Nelms to improve his outside shot. Nelms said the majority of his 25,000 shots this summer were from 3-point range.

"I felt in order to be a go-to guy and a good high school and college player, you need to be able to shoot from anywhere on the court and Mike and Joe were perfect at that," Nelms said. "They're probably two of the best shooters I've seen with Richie (Kemph) in there, too."

And their goals for playing after high school are another reason they prefer to hang out together and away from any potential trouble. They don't want to do anything to jeopardize their dreams.

They're holding up their end of the bargain in the classroom. Nelms has a 4.5 grade point average and LaTulip has a 4.86 on 5.0 scales.

"We have the same views we don't get in trouble and we stay focused," LaTulip said. "I really have been fortunate to have a friend like Brian."

Which helps enhance a game such as tonight.

"Obviously when we play each other we're competing," Nelms said, "but outside of that we support each other and read the paper to see how each other is doing."

They won't have to wait to see Saturday's paper to find out this week.