Westminster Christian's Dutcher becomes a force

Westminster Christian center Ian Dutcher has been on the Wheaton College coaching staff's radar for months, according to Warriors coach Bruce Firchau.

Likewise, Taylor University in Upland, Ind. wants the chance to educate the 6-foot 8½ center for the next four years. So does Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Ga.

Coaches from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais have attended so many Westminster Christian games this season they could be considered honorary boosters.

Already the most dependable rebounder in the area, Dutcher's developing all-around game has landed him on the Christmas wish list of several institutions of higher learning.

“He's definitely drawing interest and will have the chance to continue playing at the next level,” said Firchau, an IHSBCA Hall of Famer. “And that's really a credit to Ian for all the hard work he's put in. I am excited for him because I really think he's just scratching the surface of what he can do.”

Dutcher, a 17-year old resident of Elgin, spent sixth grade at Burlington Middle School before enrolling at Westminster Christian the following year. Always one of the tallest kids in his class, he stood 6-foot-3 by the time he entered high school, though he had hardly peaked.

He sprouted to 6-7 by the end of his sophomore year and inched his way to 6-8½ by the time his junior season was set to begin. And, yes, the ½ inch matters, particularly to a young man trying to wrest the title of “tallest Dutcher” away from his 6-8 grandfather.

For Ian, height was always an advantage in sports “except when I tried to play football,” he said. “I was always the biggest one so I was never able to play wide receiver or tight end. I would always have to play lineman.”

He eventually satisfied his hunger to play a more exotic, action-packed position this fall, when he was the starting goalkeeper for Westminster Christian's soccer team, which won a regional title.

However, there has never been any question which sport is Dutcher's best. He played sophomore basketball as a freshman. He began his sophomore year with the varsity and has since developed into a force in the paint. He finished his sophomore year with respectable averages of 7.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, but that was just the start.

Dutcher worked on his post game with Firchau and his numbers improved greatly as a junior. He blocked 75 shots and averaged 8.7 rebounds per game, both area highs by the area's tallest player.

The big man's free-throw percentage climbed in his second varsity season, which translated to more scoring and a selection to the Daily Herald All-Area Team. Dutcher went from being a 51-percent free-throw shooter as a sophomore to a 61.1 percent shooter as a junior. Accordingly, his scoring average improved from 7.9 points per game to 13.7.

“The way he picked up his free-throw shooting toward the end of the year was pretty amazing,” Firchau said. “At the end of the regular season he made 40 of his last 46. In the regional he was 23 off 26. That's so big because you know if he gets the ball inside he's going to score.”

This season, Dutcher has been learning a variety of post moves from assistant coach Rich Engle. “He's really helping me out,” Dutcher said. “I feel like I'm getting something new all the time. He's working me every day. He's helped me develop my entire game.”

The proof is in the line score. Through Westminster Christian's first six games Dutcher has led the Warriors to a 5-1 record by scoring 113 points for an average of 18.8 points per game. It marks the second straight season his scoring average has jumped nearly 5 points. Meanwhile, he continues to sink 61 percent of his free-throw attempts.

“I've gotten better with my free throws, but my shot has gotten a lot better, too,” he said. “I remember when I was a freshman I would miss a lot of layups. This year I only miss one or two a game if I miss any.”

Dutcher recently played what he considers his best overall game to date, a 67-55 victory over St. Edward at the Westminster Christian Thanksgiving Tournament. He finished that game with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocked shots.

“That was one of my better games,” he said humbly, as always. “It was one of those games where you have the energy to get to a ball that you can't always get to. I just felt I had everything going for me, and I was able to be a big asset for my team, not just scoring points but being able to make plays.”

It's Dutcher's hope he and his teammates can make enough plays in March to capture the elusive regional title that has eluded Westminster Christian in his two previous varsity seasons. The Warriors haven't won a regional title since Joel Benson, Cory Hodge and Tyler Beachler led the school to its first regional title in boys basketball in 2007-08.

“Last year I think we could have made it to the sectional finals with the team we had,” Dutcher said of a regional title game loss to Chicagoland Jewish. “This year, I think we can definitely win regionals and, hopefully, win at least a game at sectionals.”

No matter how the season plays out, Dutcher will go on to a college that supports his faith, and he will study either business or education while continuing his basketball career.

“I'm looking for a Christian college that has a good atmosphere,” said Dutcher, who has taken mission trips to Honduras and plans to continue his ministry in college. “I'm mostly concerned about the teachers and the other students going there. I mean, basketball's good, but I want to be at a place I can grow academically, spiritually and as a person.”