Omar Barakat has gone through plenty of struggles on the basketball court, both individually and with his team, especially last season when Stagg won just one game.

The senior guard believes it all made him better. And this season, he has led a turnaround back to competitiveness for the Chargers.

“Obviously, what happened last year, that wasn’t expected,” Barakat said. “I did work hard, but I feel like I took the shortcut sometimes. This year, I take the hard way with everything I do. I compete.

“It’s been paying off. I’m just trying to do whatever it takes for the team, whatever we need to win.”

Barakat did just that again Thursday night, scoring 21 points and hitting the game-tying shot in the final seconds of regulation as the host Chargers went on to pull off a 60-51 overtime win over Evergreen Park in the regular-season finale for both teams in Palos Hills.

Petar Zoko scored 24 points, including seven in OT, and pulled down 16 rebounds to lead Stagg (14-15). Dovydas Zuperka added nine points and seven blocked shots, while Daniel Mora contributed seven rebounds.

Stagg’s Omar Barakat (1) goes to the basket against Evergreen Park during a nonconference game in Palos Hills on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown)

Lenear Bolden paced Evergreen Park (9-17) with 17 points. James Lee scored 13 points, while Connor Gallagher finished with 10 points and 16 rebounds.

The Mustangs took a 48-47 lead when Bolden scored off a steal with 45 seconds left in regulation, then Lee added a free throw to make it a two-point edge with 11 seconds to go.

But Barakat refused to let his team go down on senior night, driving to the basket and scoring with three seconds remaining to force OT.

“I feel like I was really getting to my spot the whole game,” Barakat said. “When they switched the big on me, I knew I could take him, and I just got to the rim and finished.”

Stagg’s Omar Barakat (1) goes up for a layup against Evergreen Park during a nonconference game in Palos Hills on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown)

Zoko had no doubt that Barakat would come through in that moment.

“He’s our guy,” Zoko said. “He’s our shooter. I’ve been playing with him since kindergarten and I know how good he is. I have that faith in him. He’s like a brother.

“He just has that instinct. He shoots and it goes in. He has that confidence and I love it.”

The Chargers dominated in overtime, with Zoko setting the tone with a quick 3-pointer.

Stagg’s Omar Barakat (1) eyes the basket for a shot against Evergreen Park during a nonconference game in Palos Hills on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown)

“It feels amazing to win this, especially the way it ended,” Zoko said. “It was so emotional. We put all the effort into this game, and when it pays off that way, it felt really good.”

After last season, when the Chargers lost their first 28 games before winning their regular-season finale and finishing 1-29, a win in his final game in his home gym felt that much sweeter for Barakat.

“Working all offseason with my guys, it’s just good to see that progression is showing and our hard work is actually paying off,” Barakat said. “Going into the playoffs, that was kind of the note we needed to go in on.”

In a back-and-forth game, Barakat sparked the Chargers with 10 points in the second quarter, allowing them to take a 31-28 halftime lead.

Stagg’s Omar Barakat (1) collides with Evergreen Park’s Jemai Cummings (1) during a nonconference game in Palos Hills on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown)

Stagg coach Marty Strus watched Barakat have a tough time last season and turn himself into a great player as a senior.

“Last year was a rough year overall, but he struggled and adjusting to the varsity speed was hard,” Strus said. “Ever since that season ended, he’s been such a rock for us in terms of being a leader. He looks you in the eye. He responds. He gets the other guys going.

“What he does as a leader for us is a dream as a coach. I’m so happy for his success because the jump he’s made from his junior to senior year may be the biggest I’ve seen since I’ve been here.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/20/omar-barakat-stagg-evergreen-park-basketball/