For the past three years, Gavin Chadwell has been a thorn in North Laurel’s side, helping eliminate the Jaguars in the 13th Region finals twice, but now, Chadwell will be sporting the white, blue, and green North Laurel jerseys after transferring in October from Knox Central, and then being ruled eligible to play last week.
The Jaguars were already tagged as favorites to repeat as 13th Region champions, and now with his addition, they’ve become heavy favorites along with a No. 4 state ranking.
Even though all of that sounds good, Chadwell admitted when he transferred to North Laurel, he worried that it would be too big of a change.
“But the guys have made me feel at home. I don’t really think of it like I’m at a new place, as I have the same goals here that I would have anywhere,” he said. “I figured that the environment here would be a big change, coming from Knox. I figured North would be a little different.
“But as far as the guys go, they’ve done a great job in welcoming me and making me feel at home,” he added. “From the first day of practice, Coach (Nate) Valentine and the rest of the coaching staff just slowly incorporated me into the offense, eventually feeling like I’ve been there the whole time.”
Chadwell admitted it’s a different feeling knowing he will be playing with the likes of Reed Sheppard and Ryan Davidson instead of playing against them.
“Prior to moving here, the Reed and Ryan duo was our biggest problem,” he admitted. “With a guy like Reed, who is tough all-around, and then Ryan, who is pretty dominant 15-feet in, it was always a challenge. I always loved to play against them though, and it was always competitive — they wanted to win just as bad as me.
“And now I’m here with them,” he continued. “Coach still splits us up in our intrasquad scrimmages, and we still compete. All three of us are super competitive, along with many other guys on the team, and I think it makes a big difference.”
It’s a big enough difference that many consider North Laurel as one of the front-runners to win a state title.
“Knox lost in the sweet 16 two years ago, North did the same last year, and I think this team we have right now, is one of the better high school teams around,” Chadwell said. “I think we can go as far as we want this year. This team is extremely talented, and it’s hard to say really what we are capable of.”
Chadwell said North Laurel coaches have been a big help for him making the transition to what type of offense they run.
“The coaches have done a great job of helping to work me into the offense, and helping me understand and flow with the rest of the guys,” he said. “I love it here, and love all the guys. It’s truly more than just a basketball team here at North, and it is fun to be out there playing the game we all love.
“This team is deep, we’ve got nine to 10 guys who can get minutes for us,” Chadwell added. “I’ve played on some good teams, and this one is up there with them.”
Chadwell was also asked about his future as a football player, if he would suit up for the Jaguars next fall.
“I’ve not even really thought about it,” he said. “The football coaching staff has some great guys that I’ve been to church with and even played under. If I choose to play, I know I’d feel at home.”
With that said, Chadwell said he’s ready for the basketball season to tip-off.
“We have a tough schedule this season, and we will be playing teams across the nation at all levels,” he said. “I just want us to go into these games knowing we can play with anyone, and for us to not back down from anyone. We have something special here, and I want us to show everyone who we are.”
