KENT CITY – After going 8-9 last season, the Kent City boys basketball team definitely needed some returning players to pick up their games this year.

That’s exactly what junior guard Kyler Larson did, transforming himself into a well-rounded offensive weapon and helping Kent City go 13-6 overall and 10-0 in Central State Activities Association Silver Division play.

“He’s much improved,” said Eagles head coach David Ingles about Larson, who is also the starting quarterback for the Kent City varsity football team. “Honestly, he could stand outside and knock down some three-pointers last year. But this year I think he knew he had to be more aggressive, and he’s gotten better at getting to the basket and finishing. He’s become hard to guard.”

Larson admits that he’s worked on his ability to get to the rim, and it’s become a strength for him.

“I can be strong with the ball,” said Larson, who’s currently averaging 17 points per game. “I think what’s become the best part of my game is I can drive to the basket when I need to. I can get boards too. In practice I just go and drive to the hoop whenever I can or need to. I just go at it every day.”

Larson’s offensive ability was on display when he and his teammates clinched an outright O-K Silver championship on Feb. 18 with a 47-30 victory over defending champion Holton.

“I think those were the best games of the year,” said Larson, who scored 24 points in the matchup after totaling 13 points in the previous game against Holton. “We knew it was going to be tough and close because they’re a tough team. But thankfully we came to play against them.”

While the final score was a 17-point margin, the Eagles only led by one point after three quarters but held Holton scoreless the entire fourth quarter.

“I think honestly our effort has been good all year,” Coach Ingles said about his team’s defensive performance. “But it really stood out to me in that game. We held them to zero points and pulled away. We talked about defense from day one and we did those drills. That was huge for us.”

Another game where Larson’s offensive improvement stood out was in a 74-46 victory over Hesperia on Feb. 11, when he scored 37 points.

“Those are fun,” Larson said about games where he scores a lot. “It’s just scoring baskets, which is always fun. You have to help your team out somehow and those days I shot better than others.”

Larson still finds a way to contribute for his team even when his shots aren’t falling.

In a 52-30 win over White Cloud on Feb. 25, Larson totaled 16 rebounds and six assists.

“That was good because I couldn’t make a shot,” he said. “I stepped up and did something else. I just had to do that and it means a lot to help the team. I believe in my teammates to make shots and I’ll contribute however I need to.”

Larson’s team-first attitude comes from being one of two Eagle captains and understanding the group concept.

“He’s not vocal,” said Ingles about the guard’s leadership style. “He’s more of a ‘look what I’m doing’ type of kid. He’ll do it with his defense and by whatever else he’s doing out on the court.”

After playing quarterback on the football field, Larson doesn’t take leadership on the basketball court for granted.

“It means a lot,” he said. “Our team is very close and we all believe in each other. We get along great and do a lot of things together. I love the guys and being a leader for them is important to me.”

Larson is hopeful that his improvement and leadership can help the Eagles bring home a second trophy this season, in next week’s district tournament.

“Bringing home a district title is our second goal,” he said. “Ever since our first practice, we’ve all wanted it, and it would be great to bring that home, along with our conference title.”

 

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