 (gosycamores) With the clock winding down late in the second half of the game and the Indiana State Sycamores need a score, head coach Gary Lansing "wants the ball in his hands." Brenton Scott is not a household name in college basketball. However, perhaps that should and could change. This junior from Fort Wayne, Indiana is making his mark in his junior, 2016-17, season. Averaging just over 20 points and 5 rebounds a game Scott is now "unmistakeably the team leader." Scott is a scoring gaurd, and that is just what he does, score. However, it has not always been that easy for him. In 2014-15, Scott averaged just 11 points per game in 28 minutes of play. During the 2015-16 season, he bumped that number up to 15. Now with the team on his back, Scott is putting up tremendous numbers in the current season. In his freshman year, Scott was kicked out of practice by Lansing, more than once. "We butted heads," Lansing said. "I threw him out of practice more than any kid I've ever been around. Anything I tried to coach him on, he didn't believe. He always had a better way to do it." However, Scott has grown since then to be one of Lansing's favorite players ever. "I've said from the word go that he's got a screw loose, but so do I. I love him. He has grown up tremendously." Lansing still does not deny the fact that him and Scott butt heads, but he admits Scott's performace on the court has changed a lot of his coaching philosophies. Specifically, Scott has changed Lansing's definition of a bad shot. "He has no fear, absolutely no fear," Lansing said. " I used to get on him for taking what I thought was a bad shot...he takes some really quick and tough shots, but he makes them." Their player to coach relationship has clearly grown tremendously. Due to that, Scott has become a team leader. Scott, speaking about his coach, says that even through the tough times "he has always had my back." Again, Scott is making a mark in the NCAA during this 2016-17 season. He has grown both on the court and off the court. He went from a bad seed to a team leader. That is not something that happens very often. This growth is the type thing a future NBA player is able to show. Think about how many players go to the league and simply do not grow any more. He is a great shot creator for both himself and others. He is clearly the best offensive player on that team, but one thing Scott demonstrates is how amazing he is when it comes to the crunch time of a game. Like his coach says, he has no fear. Due to that, he is not afraid to take any shot. If he can get it up there is a chance of it going in, especially with him shooting ability. Now, what do all late-game scorers have in common? They are not afraid of missing, and because they are not afraid to miss, their confidence of making the big shot skyrockets. Well needless to say, Scot has all of the confidence in the word. This season Indiana State is outscoring their opponents 285-257 in second half and overtime play combined. This is largely in part of the excellent late-game play of Scott. So, there are plenty of reasons Brenton Scott should be a name anyone recognizes. This is an artilce about Indiana State basketball, and there was no chance Larry Bird's name was not mentioned. Bird was also an Indiana boy that played for the Sycamores, like Scott. Any tie to Larry Bird may result in true greatness. Remember the name Brenton Scott, he may surprise you. Evan Singleton @EvanSingleton33 Quotes creditted to Kansas.com (Green light always shines for Indiana State's Brenton Scott) |
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