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senior guard Samar Bures He undoubtedly sees himself as the leader of Rich Township.
Even though he’s a second-year guard Jamson Coulter Bures, one of the state’s top recruits in the 2026 class, made sure his young teammate got that message before his high school career began.
“When I first got here he told me, ‘This is my team,’” Coulter said. “So it will keep me under control. Then when he leaves it will be my team. I respect that 100%. “He totally deserved it.”
Bures, a steady producer and floor general for the Raptors, had another big performance Monday night, scoring 21 points as Rich Township earned a 97-64 victory over Oak Forest.
Coulter scored 18 points for the Raptors (19-7). jayden williams 12 added and Victor Brown 11 contributed. Avery Hearn He finished the game with 8 points and 10 rebounds.
Amari Brownlee-Davis He led Oak Forest (11-14) with 18 points. Deshawn Nolan We collected 13 points Je’Sean Shannon attended nine.
Bures showed off his fluid and efficient play by making all seven of his shots from the field, including a pair of 3-pointers, and was 5 of 6 from the free throw line.
“When you see an opportunity, take it,” Bures said. “Never hesitate. That’s how you get better. Being a senior this year, I had to move forward.
“I had to lead my team to all the victories and elevate them when the time came.”
What about the conversation with Coulter?
“Sometimes you have to let people know how it happened,” Bures said. “If you want to have good relationships, you have to talk to people about things.
“I just told him we were fine as long as we both did our part.”
It’s been quite a journey as a Raptor for Bures, whose freshman year was the first year of Rich Township’s athletic program and a season altered by the pandemic.
The men’s basketball program had three head coaches during Bures’ tenure. Cornelius Crossley, Jamere Dismukes – and current coach, who left for Homewood-Flossmoor without ever coaching a game, Lou AdamsThe person who took over last season.
![Rich Township's Samar Bures (4) makes a layup during the game against Oak Forest on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, at Oak Forest. (Troy Stolt for Daily Southtown)](https://bestamericancomics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1707210373_779_Samar-Bures-on-top-of-Rich-County-Oak-Forest.jpg)
The changes led to the transfer of numerous of Bures’ original teammates. This never crossed his mind.
“I will never be the kind of kid who wants to go to another program,” he said. “I always wanted to stay where I was. “We’re doing great at the moment and I’m happy to be with this team.”
Bures has seen the Raptors develop into a force to be reckoned with.
“The grinding and building of the program was what I was looking forward to as a freshman,” he said. “He manages to get to where I am now. This is all torture.
“Some of the goals I want to see come true are happening right now.”
Bures went on to score 13 points in the second half on Monday as the Raptors pulled away to close within 39-29 on Oak Forest early in the third quarter.
![Rich Township's Samar Bures (4) lunges at a defender during the game against Oak Forest on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, at Oak Forest. (Troy Stolt for Daily Southtown)](https://bestamericancomics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1707210373_672_Samar-Bures-on-top-of-Rich-County-Oak-Forest.jpg)
Adams sees Bures being overlooked. But maybe not for long.
“I think he will get his comeuppance,” Adams said. “(HFs) Gianni (Cobb) He plays great ball there. Bloom and Thornton have great teams, so we have a tough job.
“But I told Samar: ‘You will get everything you need to get. Just keep working hard and you’ll see.”
Coulter doesn’t think Bures is too worried.
“I’m sure he doesn’t care what people think of him,” Coulter said. “He walks around every day after practice to shoot. He’s in the gym 24/7. He doesn’t really worry about what anyone says.
“He’s in his own world, doing what he has to do.”