DIETERICH — Landen Keck moved to Dieterich from Cisne and immediately changed the culture of the program, primarily on defense.
Keck, the 2024-2025 Effingham Daily News Boys Basketball co-Defensive Player of the Year, finished the season averaging one deflection and 1.1 steals per game but did so much more than what any scorebook could record.
“As soon as he got here, his intensity was just off the charts,” head coach Brent Bohnhoff said. “His effort in practice: every single drill, every single possession — he treated practice like it was a championship game. He had that mentality both seasons and it made a big difference in our defense.”
Bohnhoff referred to Keck as a “top-line cornerback,” noting how he stresses the other team’s best player and makes them work harder than they may typically do.
“He could take away one of the better players on the other team, normally on any night, and, usually, it didn’t matter who it was,” Bohnhoff said.
There were several instances where this happened throughout the season.
The one game that sticks out the most, though, was when the Movin Maroons traveled to Edwardsville.
Keck had the task of defending Quincy University recruit Herbert Martin.
The 6-foot senior point guard finished the year averaging 23.1 points per game.
Keck held him to seven.
“That was a big challenge for our whole team,” Bohnhoff said. “Landen took on that challenge and he wanted it. He wanted to guard Martin and it wasn’t shocking to me. I know Martin’s a really good player, but Landen plays really good on-ball defense and off-ball defense and he took that challenge that night.”
Of all the defensive traits that Keck has, the one that Bohnhoff thought was most important was his upbringing.
“He’s just a really good human being,” Bohnhoff said. “He’s unselfish. He wants to play defense. He could have averaged six or eight more points per game, but he sacrificed some of the offensive accolades for the betterment of the team.”
“He’s the most coachable player I’ve ever had and he’s just as big off the court as he is on the court,” Bohnhoff continued. “Little kids look up to him. Teachers respect him. Our whole school respects him.
“That says a lot about him.”
Keck answered a series of questions. Below is how he responded.
Q: What do you love the most about playing basketball and why?
A: “The part of basketball I love the most is the competitive atmosphere of the game and all the friendships I’ve gained over the years from playing. Basketball may not last forever, but friendships will and all my teammates and coaches will be there forever. The competitive nature is what makes the game fun and allows me to overcome adversity easier by being put in competitive situations.”
Q: How long have you been playing? What kept you motivated as a basketball player?
A: “I have been playing basketball ever since I can remember. From the five-year-old me in the driveway with my dad to individual workouts, I’ve had a basketball in my hand all the time. The most motivating thing for me was winning games and proving myself. Not only did I prove myself individually, but I also proved that our team was capable of winning big games. Winning was the biggest motivation factor for me.”
Q: What made you such a great defender?
A: “I think it’s just the ‘wanting it more’ aspect. If you tell yourself you can do something, you will accomplish it. I always told myself that I could be the best defender if I believed in myself. You also have to be willing to take on the big challenges and I think I have done so. It wasn’t easy because we got some really good players in our area, but like I said, if you tell yourself you can do something, then you can get it done.”
Q: Do you put a lot of pressure on yourself? If so, how do you manage that?
A: “No, because my coach put a lot of trust in me to take the challenge and expected me to succeed. That helped give me confidence and tell myself that I could do it knowing that my teammates believed in me and my coaches.”
Q: What did you love the most about playing on this past season’s basketball team?
A: “My favorite part about this season’s team was the way we all bonded off the court and on the court. Everyone bought into the idea of winning and did whatever they could to make us successful. It could have been little things, like showing up on time or being coachable, but those are big building blocks for a successful team. We had such good chemistry and understood how each other played, which is huge, too. I am extremely thankful for all my teammates and coaches. I will never forget this year’s team and I’m so proud to say I played for the Maroons.”