Freshman guard Jamal Crook blocks a University of New Orleans pass attempt in the first half of Western's home game on Saturday afternoon. Western won 76-56. CHRIS WILSON/Herald

Western’s season-opening starting lineup didn’t include freshman guards Jamal Crook and Caden Dickerson.

It didn’t need to.

Back then, senior guard A.J. Slaughter carried the scoring load. Senior guard Anthony Sally dished out assists. And junior forward Sergio Kerusch pitched in on the glass.

Then Kerusch went down with a foot injury, and Sally started turning the ball over.

Enter Crook and Dickerson.

In a matter of months, the two have risen from the bench to become regular starters for the Toppers (12-10, 5-5 Sun Belt Conference) in their first season, peaking with career-highs in points last Saturday against New Orleans. Head Coach Ken McDonald said the team — Sally in particular — has accepted two freshmen in the starting lineup.

“(Sally) didn’t really disagree or fight that decision whatsoever,” McDonald said of the point guard spot. “Then when I tried to put Sally back into the lineup as a starter, he didn’t want to. He liked the fact that Jamal was starting us off.

“So there’s been nothing but confidence by Jamal’s teammates that he can get the job done.”

Crook scored 11 points against the Privateers and Dickerson added 14, putting him in double figures scoring three of the Toppers’ last five games.

Western’s season-opening starting lineup didn’t include freshman guards Jamal Crook and Caden Dickerson.

It didn’t need to.

Back then, senior guard A.J. Slaughter carried the scoring load. Senior guard Anthony Sally dished out assists. And junior forward Sergio Kerusch pitched in on the glass.

Then Kerusch went down with a foot injury, and Sally started turning the ball over.

In a matter of months, the two have risen from the bench to become regular starters for the Toppers (12-10, 5-5 Sun Belt Conference) in their first season, peaking with career-highs in points last Saturday against New Orleans. Head Coach Ken McDonald said the team — Sally in particular — has accepted two freshmen in the starting lineup.

“(Sally) didn’t really disagree or fight that decision whatsoever,” McDonald said of the point guard spot. “Then when I tried to put Sally back into the lineup as a starter, he didn’t want to. He liked the fact that Jamal was starting us off.

“So there’s been nothing but confidence by Jamal’s teammates that he can get the job done.”

Crook scored 11 points against the Privateers and Dickerson added 14, putting him in double figures scoring three of the Toppers’ last five games.

The toughest adjustment to make to the college game was to the speed and physicality, according to Dickerson. But from the start, the freshman from Argyle, Texas, has had the green light to shoot.

Dickerson said it’s just been dropping more lately.

“It’s always good to see your shots fall, and as the game goes on I’m getting more confident,” Dickerson said. “(The coaches) are always telling me to shoot it, so that’s what I’m doing.”

Crook, however, has struggled with his jumper this season, shooting just 32 percent through Saturday’s New Orleans game. But against the Privateers, the Louisville freshman shot 5-of-7 from the field in a performance he called “outstanding.”

“I felt great about it, so I just hope coach can gain his trust with me, and we’ll continue from there,” Crook said.

And as the season draws on, Crook hopes to stay on the court as he fights through rough patches, both handling and shooting the ball.

According to Crook, the coaching staff and even players have talked to him this season about learning to take control of the team.

Ultimately, Crook said his scoring will help more than just his own stat line, freeing up post players and taking the ever-present weight off Slaughter’s shoulders.

“We need to be able to give a scoring threat so it takes that pressure off A.J. and Pettigrew,” Dickerson said. “It gives them a little breather.”