Peterson's an unsung hero for La Salle

La Salle coach John Giannini knows that basketball fans love to read about the players who do the brunt of the scoring for their teams and not about those who do the little things, such as Explorers guard D.J. Peterson.

But Giannini has as much appreciation for Peterson, a 6-foot-5 junior, as for anyone on his roster.

"I can't give him enough credit," Giannini said. "Any coach would love to have a guy who's a high-level defender and who does not turn the ball over and who makes his open shots and doesn't force things.

"Those things - defense and shot selection - don't jump out on the stat sheet," Giannini said. "Everyone wants to write about points and not [someone] who doesn't turn it over. But he's a winner. A role like that does make him an unsung hero."

Peterson hails from Burnsville, Minn., and he prepped for a year at Lee Academy in Maine before coming to 20th and Olney. Saturday, he received raves for his defense in the Explorers' win over Temple at the Palestra. He held Dalton Pepper, the Owls' top scorer and best three-point shooter, to a pair of two-point baskets in the final 27 minutes.

After playing a key role on last year's NCAA Sweet 16 team, Peterson is averaging 4.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. He has started seven of La Salle's 17 games and plays 25 minutes a game.

Although his shooting numbers are a little behind those of last year - 37.3 percent from the floor, 27 percent from three-point range, Peterson stays within himself, his coach said.

"I think sometimes when people have pressured him to do more, the logic is, 'You're so good right now, just be more aggressive,' " Giannini said. "When he does start to force things, he frankly becomes more like a lot of players who are mistake-prone.

"D.J. plays to win. He's an unselfish, tough kid, and he just helps us win, and he always has."