Trinity’s youngest step up and make a difference
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, January 16, 2001
When a coach activates four freshman for active duty on the varsity roster, it is usually a poor attempt to fill out a small squad. Some thought Trinity coach David King’s decision to do so was an act of desperation.
After starting 14-3 and 7-0 in MPSA District 5-1A, however, opposing teams are desperate to get out of the Saints’ way.
Freshmen Chase Brown, Greg Ketchings, Walt Ketchings and Ryan Rachal may be young – but they’re pretty good.
&uot;This is the most talented group of freshmen a coach could ask for,&uot; King said.
Many fans agree. Trinity’s freshman class is being touted by many as the strongest in the area.
&uot;I don’t know about that,&uot; Gregory Ketchings said. &uot;I haven’t seen any of the other freshmen at other schools.&uot;
And moreover, it is unfair to judge an entire class based on the performance of four individuals, he said.
&uot;There are 30 other kids in this class,&uot; Ketchings said. &uot;I think we’re strong as a total class.&uot;
However, the other Trinity freshmen may want to let the four Saints players serve as representatives. Brown and Gregory Ketchings start for the Saints, and Rachal and Walt Ketchings are consistent off the bench.
Brown leads the team in steals with 98, and averages 5.8 steals a game. His 5.7 assists a game are a team high, and his 10 points a game are near the top.
As is Gregory Ketchings’ 9.5 points a game, which is third-best on the team. His 79 steals so far this season rank third, as well.
Off the bench, Rachal and Walt Ketchings combine for nearly 10 points, seven boards and four steals a game. Rachal’s 84 rebounds rank third on the team.
&uot;I took a lot of heat bringing these kids up when I did,&uot; King said. &uot;I took a chance on them being as mature as they were. But they ended up exceeding even my expectations.&uot;
For the freshmen in question, their only expectations for their ninth-grade season was to see the court.
&uot;I knew I would play, but I didn’t know how much,&uot; Rachal said.
He got a taste of how much during the football season, when all four freshman played a great deal, especially after mid-season injuries forced them to shoulder a greater load.
But relative success on the football field is one of the reasons the young Saints are dominant on the court, Gregory Ketchings said.
&uot;I think that gave us a lot of confidence,&uot; he said. &uot;It gave the football team a spark and I think that carried over.&uot;
As they hope it carries over into baseball season, where the fab four plan to make another impact in their freshman seasons.
And as the head football, basketball and baseball coach, King is already looking forward to this baseball season – and the three seasons after that.
&uot;The future looks really, really good,&uot; he said. &uot;But the present’s not looking too bad, either.&uot;
For a trio of 15-year-olds and one 16-year-old, it seems the freshmen are under a great deal of pressure to perform and succeed.
But they’re not bothered by the situation, Gregory Ketchings said.
&uot;We’ve got four years to worry about that.&uot;