Deep down inside, Columbus High School boys basketball coach Sammy Smith thought the Falcons could play championship-caliber basketball this season.
As the season progressed, Smith realized Devin Berry would play a huge role in shaping those fortunes.
In five of his past six games, the 6-foot-7 center has posted a double-double. Not coincidently, Columbus has won nine of its past 11 games and stands atop Class 6A, Region 2 play.
For this recent success, Berry has been named The Dispatch’s Prep Player of the Week.
“During the Christmas holiday, coach said I had to really step my game up,” Berry said. “He told me to focus totally on getting double-doubles (double figures in two categories). He told me every night he wanted that to be the focal point of my game.”
Berry and the Falcons are 11-5 and 3-1 in region play, and have followed Smith’s blueprint to success by controlling the clock on each possession and by playing lock-down defense in the second half.
Since Columbus typically wins with 40-50 points per game, Berry’s numbers are even more impressive.
“When you look at Devin’s athletic ability, he has the opportunity to put up a ridiculous stat line every night,” Smith said. “You have more practice time during the holidays. We worked him individually and talked about how he needed to carry this team to the next level. We knew he had those abilities.”
Now, Berry has embraced the role of team leader and turned the paint into his territory.
“The big man has been very special to us,” Columbus junior point guard C.J. Scott said. “The thing with Duke is he totally dominates underneath. He is an aggressive rebounder and he is a skilled shot blocker. It makes for a very good combination. He does a great job of setting the tone for us and getting us on our way.”
In a recent region victory against Grenada, Berry had four points, four rebounds, and four blocked shots in the first quarter. The ability to change the game on both ends is what allows Berry to be a standout player in the region.
“Total game-changer,” Smith said. “J.J. Swanigan also plays underneath and he is learning from Devin. We have been able to play them together lately, and it has been quite a 1-2 punch. When Devin exerts himself on the defensive end early, it makes other teams change what they are trying to do.”
Smith stressed during the holidays the need for Berry to wreak havoc on both ends and to become a dominant player, and Berry has taken the advice to heart.
“Coach said the big men are the ones who get paid,” Berry said. “He told me it was time for me to go out and get paid. He told me to focus on double-doubles and to focus on becoming a monster in the middle. I think we are getting closer to getting there every day.”
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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