Junior guard Alex Panos felt a razor-edge satisfaction Friday night for Lincoln-Way Central. And it comes from familiarity. “Everything starts with confidence, and these are shots I work on in practice every day,” he said. “I like to play at my own pace and I never rush things. I get to my spots and I make my shots.” Those daily rituals paid off as Panos scored 14 points for the host Knights in a 66-56 SouthWest Suburban Conference victory over Lincoln-Way West in New Lenox. Senior forward Korey Cagnolatti finished with 17 points and six rebounds for Lincoln-Way Central (7-3, 4-2), the first game with new coach Brian Flaherty going up against his former school. Senior guard Kevin Barrett and senior forward Logan Baechtold added 10 points apiece. Sophomore forward Nick Brzezniak paced Lincoln-Way West (5-4, 2-2) with 17 points and seven rebounds. Wyatt Carlson added 12 points and six rebounds. Max Gabriel scored 10 points. A first-time starter, the 6-foot-2 Panos exhibited an excellent all-around game. His first basket was a 3-pointer, and he added five rebounds, three assists and a steal. Lincoln-Way Central’s Alex Panos (22) shoots as Lincoln-Way West’s Nick Brzezniak defends during a SouthWest Suburban Conference game in New Lenox on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown) “He’s heady, a tough kid, and he’s got good length,” Flaherty said. “In the offseason, from my time working with him, he got a lot stronger. He embraced the weight room, and I think he saw results. “He’s always been a pretty good shooter. The biggest thing I noticed is he’s not afraid to put his head down, drive to the basket and lean in.” Panos was on the varsity as a sophomore but didn’t see virtually any playing time. He watched and learned from the older players, taking note of what he had to do in order to change his status. “The juniors and seniors last year all helped me,” Panos said. “They showed me some tips and they contributed. I spent a lot of time last summer getting bigger, faster and stronger. “I’ve become a better shooter and defender, and that all helped me get the starting job.” Panos even got emergency time at point guard Friday after Barrett fouled out in the fourth quarter. Lincoln-Way Central’s Jack Rimkunas (31) puts up a shot against Lincoln-Way West’s Ethan Swanson in a SouthWest Suburban Conference game in New Lenox on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown) “Alex played an amazing game,” Barrett said. “He was cool, calm and collected. “He can do it all. On the offensive end, he has a nice dribble pull-up game, and he can shoot the ball and get to the basket. Panos also is a pitcher in baseball. That experience plays a part in his grit under the pressure. The other factor is his older sister Lina Panos, a standout on the girls basketball team who graduated last season. Battling with his sister brought out his competitive drive and passion. ”That’s all I ever did growing up, playing baseball and basketball,” he said. “With Lina, it was very competitive, and we always pushed each other. I grew up playing football, soccer, basketball. “I just couldn’t get enough.” Lincoln-Way Central’s Alex Panos (22) drives up the court against Lincoln-Way West during a SouthWest Suburban Conference game in New Lenox on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown) His father, Peter, also was a high school standout at Morton in Cicero. Alex Panos has used the constant experience from the summer of toggling between basketball and baseball to improve his quickness, balance and strength. “When we need him to step up, he is able to do that big time,” Cagnolatti said. “He’s a big guy, physical, tough, strong, and he really pushes the guys at practice to be better with each game.” Panos also hit four straight free throws in the final minute to seal the win, another nod to practice. “I’m trying to do whatever I can to help my team win,” he said. “Every day I come to practice, I just want to get better and help my teammates get better.” Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.