FAIRLEA- For many years, senior leadership has been one of the driving factors for success in team sports. Seniors exemplify not only experience, but a calming demeanor when things may not be going according to plan.
On the basketball court at Greenbrier East this season, Reed McCraw and Donavin Penn are two examples of what a senior should strive to be and what type of legacy they want to leave behind, and each senior feels that way about the other.
“Reed and I have battled against each other since we were kids. I feel that his competitive spirit is most important to our team. In practice, Reed never wants to lose, and that mindset has rubbed off on the rest of our team,” Penn explained.
“Don Don has been a big factor this year. He’s the definition of a leader,” McCraw said of Penn.
Those traits have come to fruition on the court as the Spartans have won seven games in a row and completely turned their season around back in early February. Penn and McCraw have played big roles in the way things have gone lately, but each of them pass the credit onto their teammates and the overall attitude of the team.
“Our attitude and effort especially on the defensive end,” Penn said when asked what the biggest factor was lately for his team.
“Our defensive intensity and effort are turning into easy offensive buckets and wins. We have really amped up the pressure defensively and became the team that we knew we were capable of being on the defensive end,” he added.
McCraw took it a step further.
“The biggest factor in our teams seven game winning streak is the unselfishness. We all know our roles and we play them,” McCraw stated.
Up to this point, Penn and McCraw feel that no matter what has happened so far this season, they would not change a single thing about their senior years and the impact the season has had on each of them.
“I’d rate my senior year a 10-out-of-10. I love playing for the coaches I play for and the people I play with. There’s nothing I wish I’d have done differently,” McCraw said.
“I would rate my senior year a 10-out-of-10.” Penn echoed.
“A perfect record is always wished for, but I believe our losses have made us a better team. We learn a lot from losses, and we grow from them. So, although we don’t have a perfect record, this season has definitely still been a 10-out-of-10. The time spent with my family and the vibes around our team make this season so great. There is never a dull moment with our team, and we are always laughing making memories together on and off the court,” Penn continued.
The memories each player has made will last a lifetime, but what’s interesting is that Penn’s favorite memory just happened recently, and McCraw’s is just a basic moment he gets to share every day during the season.
“My favorite memory will be beating Shady at home. Our fans really showed out and the energy in the gym was electric. I would get my guys in a huddle and try to make an adjustment, and I couldn’t even hear myself talk. We are blessed to have the support system that we have around the community. Greenbrier East fans are loyal, dependable, rowdy, and helpful. They played a big role in that win. That game is a game I will never forget, and the atmosphere was one to remember,” Penn said fondly.
“Just playing with my brothers,” McCraw said of his memories.
“I’m going to miss all of them, including the coaches,” he added.
To get to the state tournament and make what may be the best memories yet, East will have to get past a tough Ripley team on the road this Thursday night, March 13. However, both seniors understand that as long as the Spartans do what they have been doing and not let the moment be too big, everything should fall into place.
“Everyone needs to be locked in and give 100% effort on both ends of the floor,” McCraw said in a matter-of-fact manner.
“Ripley is nothing that we haven’t seen before. As a team, we just have to play the game how we know how. We have to not let what’s at stake affect the way we play. We did that against Independence, and we will learn from that game and not do that again. This is just another game, and we can’t let the moment be too big,” Penn explained.
Penn highlighted what it would mean to him to make a state tournament and how he wants outsiders to view Greenbrier East differently than what the norm is considered.
“Making the state tournament would mean a lot to me. I want to change the way people view the Spartans. We are and have been a state tournament caliber team, and this year we are determined to prove that. Everyone in our locker room has had our mind set on one goal and that goes far beyond just an appearance in Charleston.” he said.
“We could go into the tournament ranked eighth and play the 1-seed. But if we lose that game, we will think that we got upset,” he added.
But no matter what happens, McCraw and Penn will leave everything out on the floor one last time. Not only that, but they both have a strong idea of their post high school plans.
“I have a few offers to play basketball at the next level and even more interest. I also have some interest from football coaches to punt at the next level. However, as of now, I believe I will be attending Marshall University to major in Elementary Education. I want to pursue my passion for helping others and I believe I can do that in the classroom. I have also been communicating with the Marshall head basketball coach, and I believe I will be the team manager for their team next season. So, although nothing is official, I have some options that I will focus a lot more on after our post season run,” Penn said.
“My plan after I graduate is going to Mountain Gateway Community College and get a degree in Electrical Instrumentation,” McCraw concluded.
