Senior guard Johnny McGowan experienced a couple of near misses in Oak Lawn’s quest for its first boys basketball conference championship in nearly 40 years.

The Spartans were South Suburban Red runners-up in both of McGowan’s first two years on varsity as a sophomore and junior.

In his last chance to make history, McGowan and his teammates got it done, winning the Spartans’ first conference championship since 1982-83.

“I’ve lost conference championships twice and that definitely hurt and is something I’ll remember,” McGowan said. “To win it as a senior and to know my senior year will be up there on a banner means so much, especially because I won it with the guys I grew up with.”

McGowan, a Dubuque recruit, has led Oak Lawn (19-5, 11-1) with savvy, veteran play and a strong outside shot. He’s averaging 11.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

“John’s leading us in minutes played,” Oak Lawn coach Jason Rhodes said. “He’s tough to take off the floor because he’s so steady. He doesn’t turn the ball over even though he has the ball in his hands a lot.

“He’s gotten much better finishing around the rim. He’s a great leader. He connects guys out there on the floor.”

The leadership role is one McGowan has embraced.

“The first day of summer camp, coach Rhodes pulled me into a room and told me that I need to be a leader for this team,” he said. “I kind of took that to heart and made sure that even when I’m not scoring the most points, I’m still there for everyone.

“Lifting guys’ spirits up after a tough loss, making sure everyone has a ride, anything I can do to help the guys out.”

McGowan’s shot developed over many days in his backyard growing up.

“I started playing basketball in third grade,” he said. “None of my family played basketball. They’re all baseball and hockey players.

“It was a little weird when I told my dad I wanted a basketball hoop in the backyard, but we put the hoop up and it’s been hard to get the ball out of my hands since.”

McGowan hopes to make even more history before his Oak Lawn career is done.

“The day after we won conference, coach Rhodes told us it shouldn’t be the highlight of our season,” McGowan said. “While it’s a great accomplishment, we know we’re capable of much more. We haven’t won a regional championship since (1987-88) and I think we’re more than capable of doing that, even though we have a really tough sectional.

“We’re still a team that other teams will overlook, and I think we can beat any of those teams.”

Porter party: Before its Jan. 31 game against Joliet Central, Lockport was honored by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association for having over 1,500 wins in program history.

The Porters are actually well over that mark at 1,613 victories, including a 72-35 rout of the Steelmen that night.

Former Lockport coaches Rollie Bolattino, Joe Gura and Lawrence Thompson were on hand for the pregame ceremony.

“It was just great to have the coaches here and honor the history of this program,” Lockport coach Brett Hespell said. “It was great to see all the faces with them and the alumni in the crowd.

“People care about this program. They come to the games because it matters.”

Fifth time’s a charm: Morgan Park lost its first four overtime games of the season, including double-overtime heartbreakers to two teams having huge years — Mount Carmel and Kenwood.

In their longest game yet, the Mustangs (11-9) broke through, beating Westinghouse 73-63 in triple OT in a Chicago Public Schools second-round playoff game Friday night.

“Guys kind of folded in those situations in the past,” Morgan Park coach Chris Gardner said. “This time around, the guys said, ‘Enough, let’s put this away.’ ”

Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.