Kankakee Valley senior forward Zack Mikash doesn’t take shortcuts. That’s not his style. Teammates like senior forward Matthew Rose wouldn’t let him do that anyway. “We’ve always pushed each other pretty well, whether it’s in the weight room or on the court, and we’re always trying to make each other better,” Rose said. “We’re not letting each other slack off. “If we’re lifting and I think Zack needs to put 10 more pounds on the bench, then I make him do it. I won’t let him ease his way out of that 10 extra pounds.” With that determination and support, the 6-foot Mikash has emerged as the leading scorer for the Kougars (4-12, 2-3) this season. He was averaging 11.9 points, which ranked third in the Northwest Crossroads Conference, before a loss to Hobart on Thursday. Mikash does it efficiently, too, shooting 46% from the field, 39% from 3-point range and 76% from the free-throw line on roughly four attempts per game. He averaged just 1.2 points on a senior-led team last season. “He has a nice shot from three and at the free throw line,” Kankakee Valley coach Cody Scott said. “But the way he gets to the rim has really helped us out, especially in the last couple games. “When he goes to the basket, you can just tell he has confidence — in his shot that it’s going to fall, in the moves he makes and in the guys around him to help him get there. The flow of the offense has really helped, so he knows when he can go and take it, and when he can dish the ball.” Mikash also averages 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals, although the only figure that concerns him is the one in the win column. “I don’t really care about the numbers that much,” he said. “Even though the record is not the best, we still need to stay together. I like when I perform, but I’d rather get the win as a team every time.” Kankakee Valley’s Zack Mikash, center, drives to the basket during a Northwest Crossroads Conference game against Hobart in Wheatfield on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (Andy Lavalley / Post-Tribune) That’s what motivates Mikash on the court. “The fact that we come together as a brotherhood keeps me going,” he said. “Because these kids trust me, my team trusts me and my coaches trust me to put the numbers up and try to win, and that helps me to keep going.” The bond between Mikash and his teammates has developed over the years. “Shoot, me and Zack have been together, I would have to say, since back in elementary school when we were doing church league,” Rose said. “Being a teammate with Zack has always been good.” Rose said Mikash’s feel for the game makes things easier. “Playing alongside Zack, I know I’ll always have someone to pass the ball to,” Rose said. “Instead of catching the ball in the post and thinking nobody’s going to cut or nobody’s going to move, I know Zack is going to be around somewhere trying to get open.” Kankakee Valley’s Zack Mikash reacts during a Northwest Crossroads Conference game against Hobart in Wheatfield on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (Andy Lavalley / Post-Tribune) Mikash, whose older brother Nick scored nearly 1,000 points for the Kougars, hopes to extend his basketball career as long as possible and win the program’s first sectional title since 2008. But even if the Kougars fall short, Mikash considers the past four years a success. “It’s been really enjoyable,” he said. “It’s been interesting. At some points, we’ve gone through a lot of ups and downs, but I think all around it’s been a great experience, and I’ll definitely carry some memories of playing here for the rest of my life.” Scott said he hopes Mikash, who intends to study business at Indiana State, carries more than that. “Just to tackle life like he does basketball,” Scott said. “Keep that positive attitude, and no matter what happens, you’re always playing for that next play. No matter what happens in life, you just have to push forward and be determined and get through it.” Noah Poser is a freelance reporter. ...read more read less