Cannon County鈥檚 Gus Davenport earns Mr. Basketball nomination during historic season
WOODBURY, Tenn. (BVM) 鈥� Gus Davenport has had the best career of any Cannon County Lions basketball player before him as his performance has helped him be named a finalist for the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association Class 2A Mr. Basketball, becoming the first player in program history ever to earn the distinction. This came off the heels of a season in which Davenport has done nothing but break Lions records.
鈥淚t definitely was an honor,鈥� Davenport said of the recognition. 鈥淣o other boy in Cannon County school history has ever done that so to be the first male athlete to do that was definitely an honor.鈥�
Honored to be considered for TSSAA AA Mr. Basketball. I would like to thank my family, teammates, and community for all the support everyone has given me.
— Gus Davenport (@gusdavenport_1)
During his final season, Davenport has averaged over 30 points, seven rebounds, four assists at two steals. The senior has had a number of standout performances as well, including breaking the Lions scoring record for points in a quarter with 22, points in a game with 52 and points in a career with 1,720 points and counting.
鈥淚t feels great [to have the record],鈥� Davenport said. 鈥淔irst I broke my dad鈥檚 record and he鈥檚 on the 1,000-point scoring list.鈥�
Blessed to become the all time leading scorer in Cannon County history with 1720 points. With that I am also blessed to say that I have broken the single game record with 52 points.
— Gus Davenport (@gusdavenport_1)
Not only did Davenport set the career scoring record for Cannon County, but he broke a barrier untouched by any other Lions player. On Feb. 12, the senior became the first Lion to score over 2,000 points in a career, leaving his mark on the program.
鈥淢y goal always has been to score 2,000 points and be the first person to do that so to get that goal was really a great honor,鈥� Davenport said. 鈥淟ooking back at the 5-6-year-old kid playing junior pro in the same gym then stepping up as an 18-year-old senior in high school in the same gym, that was a great honor especially in my hometown that I鈥檝e always grown up in.鈥�
DTC Sports congratulates Cannon County's on becoming the first player to reach the 2,000 point mark in Lions' history on Friday night in Woodbury. Thanks to Ronny Burks for the use of his photo in our video.
— DTC3 (@DTC3TV)
Blessed to be the 1st ever male athlete in Cannon County history to be nominated as TSSAA AA Mr. Basketball and hit 2,000 career points鈥硷笍
— Gus Davenport (@gusdavenport_1)
His final season is just the topping on Davenport鈥檚 career cake. He鈥檚 earned numerous honors throughout his Lions career ever since he was a key contributor as a freshman. His accolades include being named to the 8AA All-Freshman team, the 8AA All-District second team, the 8AA All-Tournament team, 8AA All-District first team, DNJ first team All-Midstate, Main Street Preps All-Midstate team and Tennessee Sports Writers Association Class AA all-state. With the success he鈥檚 had his senior season, Davenport is certainly on his way to earning even more awards during his last year.
Davenport鈥檚 latest performance may have been one of his best. Going against Smith County in the Region 6-2A championship game, Davenport put up 26 points while grabbing eight rebounds and dishing three assists in the 66-64 Lions win. The performance would earn the senior the district MVP honors.
鈥淚 know a target鈥檚 on my back all the time with parent and student sections all the time because of the Mr. Basketball [nomination],鈥� Davenport said. 鈥淚 knew coming into the game that I was going to have a big game, get my teammates involved and I think we got that done for sure.鈥�
The six-foot-five guard鈥檚 play has helped him earn a number of looks from colleges. So far, the senior has received offers from both Johnson University and Tusculum University which allows him to play at the next level.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been great,鈥� Davenport said on his recruitment process, 鈥淣ow a lot of DII schools are contacting me and a couple of DI schools have reached out so I think it鈥檚 getting close to a time for a decision.鈥�
Blessed to receive an offer from Tusculum University!
— Gus Davenport (@gusdavenport_1)
Leading the Lions to a 17-13 record so far this season, Davenport鈥檚 stock is on the rise. With the opportunity to grow his recruiting base even further, the senior could become a hot name down the stretch. While individual success is welcomed, Davenport has his eyes set on a more team-centered goal.
鈥淏efore I leave Cannon County hopefully we will get back to the state tournament,鈥� Davenport said. 鈥淥nly one other team has done that, my dad was on that team, so I think it would be great if I could get the team back there.鈥�
Already having a trophy case full of accolades, Davenport could earn even more recognition and make even more Cannon County history by winning the Mr. Basketball award later this year.
鈥淚 think it would cap off a great career for me with all the points and accolades and everything,鈥� Davenport said. 鈥淲hen I was a kid my mom used to work for the TSSAA and I always dreamed about being up for Mr. Basketball and winning it and seeing all the winners and meeting them because I was down in the tunnel where I could see all the players. My dream has always been to win that thing.鈥�
