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LEAVING A LEGACY
By Jason Peake
Herald-Tribune
WALKER -- For four long years, Grant Davis gave opponents headaches -- and possibly even nightmares.
A four-year standout in basketball and baseball at Northeast Vernon County High School, Davis definitely made things difficult for each and every one of the area's small schools.
But those opposing players and coaches in places like Bronaugh, Sheldon and Hume who had to deal with Davis season-after-season, in sport-after-sport, now have a reason to rejoice.
Davis has graduated. His stellar prep career has come to an end.
NEVC Coach Brian Sprouse can sympathize with his coaching counterparts in the region.
"I bet they were tired of seeing him," Sprouse said. "Oh, I guarantee it. I know I would be sick of him if I was coaching against him all those years. I bet they're definitely glad to see him go."
Davis was recognized on Wednesday at NEVC's athletic awards banquet for his stellar prep career. He was named his school's Male Athlete of the Year, too.
When asked about his prep basketball career as a whole, Davis said it was a productive one.
"I started as a freshman and started every game through the four years," he said. "I never missed a game. I really wanted to keep building each year. And every coach that came in taught me something new. I think I had a really productive career. And I made a lot of friends, too."
Opposing players may have been the ones having nightmares about Davis.
In basketball, the 6-foot-3 Davis could score inside or out, dominated the boards and blocked shots in the lane.
Davis scored 1,578 points in 97 games during his prep career. That's the most points scored in NEVC school history. Sprouse called Davis' basketball career "fantastic."
"The thing about Grant is that he was a good athlete to begin with, but he always wanted to get better," Sprouse said. "He was always asking how he could get better. His success here is because he wanted to get better and better."
Before his senior season even started, Davis already had amassed 1,000 career points. He admitted reaching 1,500 was a big goal.
"I knew I needed about 500 points when the season started," Davis said. "I went for it. I was going for 1,500 and I got it."
An all-conference performer multiple times, Davis even remembers his first game in a Knights uniform, way back during his freshman season.
"My first game as a freshman we played Weaubleau," he said. "I scored the first two points of the game on a little jumper in the middle of the lane, but then only scored four more the rest of the game. And we lost really bad."
The last hoop of his prep career came during the district title game loss to eventual state runner-up Drexel.
"A three-pointer from the top of the key," Davis recalled.
On the baseball diamond, Davis was a four-year starter, too. And he was a standout at the plate and on the mound. Davis batted .567 with 14 RBIs this season. He had an on-base percentage near .700. On the mound, Davis went 4-1 with a 3.30 ERA. He struck out 66 batters this past season in only 36 innings.
"Our baseball teams did real well," Davis said. "It was just a lot of fun playing baseball."
With the baseball season and graduation now behind him, Davis is now preparing for the future. He'll attend Pittsburg State University and play baseball. Davis recently had a try-out for the coaching staff and made the team as a pitcher. He said he'll likely major in physical therapy at PSU.
But before moving on, Davis had his time to shine one last time in the tiny gymnasium in Walker. He received award after award on Wednesday night, including a US Army Scholar Athlete Award. He received a nice ovation from the students, parents and teachers in attendance each time.
Afterwards, Davis reflected for a moment.
"I'm going to remember a lot," Davis said of his high school days. "We didn't have a lot of huge winning seasons, as far as the postseasons, but we had a lot of good times here. It's always going to mean something. I'll have a lot of stories to tell for sure."
Davis was asked one last question -- Did you leave a legacy here?
"I hope so," he said with a laugh. "I hope I did something productive."
Sprouse said there's no doubt Davis left a legacy at NEVC.
"He set the standard here for sure -- on the basketball court and on the baseball field," Sprouse said. "He will be talked about here for years and years to come. There's no doubt about that. We'll miss him."
Yes, Davis will be missed at NEVC.
But those area coaches and opposing players, well, it's safe to say they won't miss Davis too much.
With that in mind, Sprouse had this final thought.
"Yeah, but I bet they would also wish him the best of luck because they know he's a good kid."