Big Game Hunter

The Lowdown on Grand Blanc's Adrian Hunter

September 7, 2006

greatlakeshoops.com

The start of the 2006-2007 school year is upon us and there is hope for the Bobcats, after all.

Grand Blanc fans are still less than a year removed from seeing their basketball squad, riven by a controversial quasi-mutiny, fail to meet the lofty expectations heaped upon a team loaded with upperclassmen. Last year's squad boasted one of the top senior wing guards in the state, K'len Morris, and one of the best perimeter defenders you will see at the high school level, Lance Smith. They had what every teams needs, dominant threats on both ends of the floor and complimentary players to fill their roles.

To accompany Morris, Smith and company were a host of unproven commodities--transfers from other schools who, in a couple of cases, were forced by MHSAA rules to sit-out the first several weeks of the season. By the end of the season, only one of these players would remain in the Bobcats' red and black--sophomore combo guard Adrian Hunter.

To say that the presence on the hardwood of the 5'11'', 173-pound, combo guard was highly anticipated in Grand Blanc would be an understatement. The Bobcats needed someone who could handle the ball, guard the perimeter and keep opposing defenses honest. In his first game as a Bobcat, after sitting out the first ten games of the season, Hunter paid instant dividends for Coach Shanafelt. He showed a lot of composure for a sophomore while scoring six points and pulling down eight rebounds in his first game of varsity--a victory over a much-improved Swartz Creek team.

"The Swartz Creek game gave me a lot of confidence" Hunter said. "Before playing that game I was kind of nervous, but afterwards I knew I needed to step my game up in order to help my team win games."

He most certainly did that. The Bobcats finished the season with a record of 15-8 and a district title to the surprise of many who thought the high-profile transfers of Leviante Davis, Deondric Booker, Tyrone Ward and the Moreland brothers would send the program spiraling downward. The loss of Ward, a dominant rebounder and a starter as a sophomore, was particularly devastating to the Bobcats.

It is no secret to anyone who follows basketball in mid-Michigan that being the head basketball coach at Grand Blanc is a tough job. But, last season was especially trying for Shanafelt and his team looks to regroup this year to make another run at regionals.

"[Coach Shanafelt] had a lot of players leave last season, but we should still be able to pull together and be a good basketball team. We have a lot of good players returning who most people don’t know about. Players like Tiller, Jackson, Birch, Hans, Dyer, and Banks are vital to the success of our season" Hunter said. "Everyone on our team wasn't on the same page last year, and that's why we were 15-8."

Apparently the reports of the Bobcats' demise appear to be exaggerated yet again this year.

Hunter returns to lead a younger crop of players back to the regionals--a destination that Grand Blanc fans have become accustomed to. Hunter has high expectations for his team to go along with a lot of confidence in his own ability to lead.

"I expect us to be in the running for a state championship and I am most looking forward to playing Clarkston again in the regional championship."

I don't doubt that Clarkston will be there, but will Hunter and the Bobcats?

I wouldn't bet against him.

Hunter may just be the second coming of Grand Blanc's former standout, Pierre Dukes (pictured right). The similarities are certainly there. Dukes, who went on to play at Oakland University, commanded the floor with an imposing presence. Hunter, in a lot of ways, is the same kind of player--just add a few hundred more passes. He prides himself on being stronger than many backcourt players at this level.

"I am fortunate that I am stronger than the average point guard. I work hard to maintain my size and to stay in shape" Hunter said. "I feel that I do have the potential to be as good as Pierre Dukes, if not better; but, I’m not really worried about being better than Pierre at this point. I am more worried about making the players around me better and winning games."

Strength is only one facet of his game, however. Hunter has a "Chaunceyesque" quality to the way he plays. He is a leader on and off the court and a hard-nosed defender with the ability to post-up smaller guards. And, unlike many of today's players, he hasn't rested on his God-given talent.

He goes to work.

"Last season I developed as a player by being at practice everyday and working hard. Since the season has ended I have been in the gym at least six times a week...shooting...dribbling...lifting weights or running the track; everyday I am doing something to help my game."

Hunter's work ethic sends a great message to his teammates and to younger players who may think that just playing will be enough to get to the next level. It is time off the floor that truly makes Adrian Hunter a standout.

Don't get me wrong, he still plays a little.

"I’ve been doing a lot of traveling with my AAU team, the Michigan Mustangs" Hunter said. "Playing with them has allowed me to play with some of the top players in the country."

Hunter has cashed his hard work and summer circuit exposure into some serious interest from college coaches and recruiters. He is currently being recruited by Western Michigan, Oakland University, Drake, IPFW and Stanford.

If Hunter plays as hard as he works, that list will only get longer.