Scherer posts big gains for Gentry Pioneers

Gentry junior takes lessons to heart, diversifies impact

— Kevin Scherer endured an adjustment period during his sophomore season, but Gentry coach Conlan Efurd said the 6-foot-6 post man has taken some of those lessons to heart this year.

First of all, Scherer returned for his junior year a couple of inches taller and 15 pounds heavier.

It’s paid dividends as Scherer’s scoring average has gone up from 12 to more than 16 points per game this season.

He’s also the team’s leading rebounder at slightly less than eight per game. Throw in three blocks, a couple of steals and two assists, and you have quite a diverse player.

“I think he’s one of the better post players in the area,” Efurd said. “He has good hands ... knows how to post and work around the glass.”

Lincoln coach Deon Birkes is definitely a believer. His Wolves have lost three times to the Pioneers, and Scherer has been a major force in all three defeats.

He’s averaged 16.7 points per game against Lincoln with a high of 19, but he came through with a monster game in the Pioneers’ 56-51 win Jan. 2.

In addition to 15 points, Scherer also grabbed 19 rebounds to go with six steals, three assists and three blocked shots.

“He’s extremely mobile was the thing that impressed me,” Birkes said. “He’s got great hands and a good soft touch around the basket. He doesn’t just try to manhandle you. He’s big and strong, but he has the finesse stuff, too. We’d take a player like that in a heartbeat.

“You just don’t usually get a mixture of his size, mobility, shooting touch, all of it in high school,” Birkes added.

Scherer has also been pretty consistent thus far as he’s been held to single digits in scoring only once this season. That was his six-point output against Class 5A Siloam Springs.

He’s learned to be more physical, thanks to an added 15 pounds of muscle, and a little more persistent, according to Efurd. As a 6-4, 215-pound sophomore, Scherer might have gotten bumped off the block and drifted to the perimeter. That’s not happening this season.

“What he’s learning is if he hangs around in the right areas and keeps working, he will eventually get open,” Efurd said.

“I’m learning to play more physical,” Scherer said. “And how to work and get open better.”

Making the transition from junior high where he was often the biggest player on the floor was also something new.

“I’m adjusting to the speed of the game and playing against older people,” Scherer said.

Scherer has some range as a shooter, but he understands where he needs to be.

“We’ve got other shooters this year,” Scherer said. “Idon’t have to go out there anymore.”

Even though he’s not a senior, he realizes his role as a leader on the team.

Efurd believes Scherer has just grown in many ways.

“Maturity, that’s a lot of it,” Efurd said. “We’re having to rely a lot on him this year. He’s been able to handle it. He understands the game a little better, too.”

Scherer’s love of the game and work ethic also can’t be overlooked, Efurd said. “He does a lot of work on his own,” Efurd said. “That’s something I’m excited about.”

Sports, Pages 7 on 01/13/2010