Greater Beckley Christian’s senior all-state guard Kaden Smallwood is not shy when it comes to the goal for his team this year.
“This year means a lot to me. I know it is my last go around, so, a state championship is what I am looking for this year,” Smallwood said. “I haven’t got it so far. This is my last year and my last chance. That is what I need.”
So far over his three years of high school, the postseason has been marked by frustration.
As a freshman, the Crusaders were knocked out in regional play by Webster County during it historic undefeated run to the Class A state championship title.
Greater Beckley won its regional clash over the Highlanders in Smallwood’s sophomore season, but the Covid shutdown stopped that run in it’s tracks.
Last year it was more frustration with a regional co-final loss in Upper Glade, again at the hands of the Highlanders.
“Definitely, the last three years has motivated me. I believe we had a really good chance two years ago and we all believed that we could win it that year,” Smallwood said. “To have it taken away just motivates me more to accomplish that this year.”
The state championship goal involved hours of work over the summer in the gym, as well as an incredible amount of work at basketball showcases.
“I went to Rock Hill, S.C. several times, Myrtle Beach twice, Charlotte and Raleigh. I was supposed to fly to Dallas and play in an Under Armour Gauntlet out there, but I was on vacation with my family. I was pretty much all over the Carolinas.”
Smallwood has basically had a basketball in his hands as long as he can remember. Prior to high school he won a Raleigh County Elementary championship at Bradley, before win a middle school championship at both Park and Beckley-Stratton.
While always having a love for basketball, the senior standout also liked playing football. Heading into high school, it was all basketball for Smallwood.
“I knew I needed to make a decision going into high school about what I wanted to stick to if I wanted to excel at the college level,” Smallwood said. “Eighth grade year, a couple games into the football season, I broke my elbow and that kinda sealed it. I was done with football and I stuck to basketball.”
Just like any freshman moving up to the quicker high school game, Smallwood had to make some adjustments.
“Kaden is a lot bigger, stronger and faster of course. In addition to that, he has grown up a lot and is more mature,” Greater Beckley head boys basketball coach Justin Arvon said. “Freshman Kaden would be way more pouty and things would get under his skin and bother him a little bit. Now he is willing to move on to the next play. He proved that at the end of last year.”
Smallwood talked about the adjustment period from middle school to high school.
“I had to get a feel for the high school game. I had to get in the weight room and get more confident,” Smallwood said. “The older guys pushed me everyday, whether it was in the weight room, the classroom or on the court. The pushed me to be the best that I could be.”
Playing alongside guys like Jay Moore and Chance Potter has been a huge benefit according to the Greater Beckley senior. Smallwood feels that time has really prepared him for his senior season.
“I feel like the players that I have been fortunate enough to play with have prepared me, especially since my ninth grade year,” Smallwood said. “They helped develop me into being a leader. Not just for the last two years, but my first two years also. I do feel I have a little more on my shoulders this year in regards to that leadership role.”
Arvon has always felt his senior guard was a great scorer. It is his transition into a team leader that been the most impressive factor for Arvon.
“At the end of last year, he was averaging over 20 points per game. He scored 28 in the regional game. He is perfectly capable of that, but he has turned into such a great leader for our younger guys too,” Arvon said. “I am excited about his leadership. He will be running our offense and he will keeping us intact on defense. That is exactly the kind of kid we want to be doing that.”
Tough events on the court have been only part of what has made Smallwood the leader he is today. Smallwood was also good friends with Woodrow Wilson star Dwayne Richardson who was shot and killed just before the state basketball tournament last year.
“What I have experienced has definitely help me form a stronger mindset and a stronger heart. I have gone through a lot during my high school years and it beat me down some. At the end of the day, I knew I had to get stronger. Laying down was only going to make it worse,” Smallwood said.
Smallwood and the Crusaders open the season Saturday when they host Mercer Christian.
