Promise to Kouts kept
Andrews leads Mustangs to sectional title in his first season as starter
This isn’t quite a pinch-yourself scenario for Kouts senior Spencer Andrews.
But the 6-foot-1 forwardturned-center didn’t necessarily envision these circumstances.
A first-time starter who didn’t even play basketball as a freshman, Andrews has become a virtually indispensable player for the regional-bound Mustangs.
“It feels great,” he said. “Coming into the year, I didn’t expect myself to be too big of a part.
“I like other guys to get the credit. I want to be the guy who gives the assist. I want to see my teammates succeed. I got that opportunity to get some shots, start scoring. I’m just glad I can contribute to the team. If it’s me scoring zero points or 30 points, it doesn’t matter, as long as my team gets that win and everyone’s enjoying it.”
But as Kouts (16-9) prepares to play Bethany Christian (16-10) in the Class 1A Triton Regional on Saturday under the adjusted postseason format, Andrews is averaging a team-high 13.3 points and 6.6 rebounds, which ranks second on the team.
“He’s come a long way for us,” Kouts coach Kevin Duzan said. “He’s really grown up, taken more of a leadership role. He’s more of a major contributor on the court, both offensively and defensively. He’s really blossomed this year.
“He was playing behind some guys last year who were seniors, and he didn’t get to show what he could do. He’s really come into his own. I try to tell him we need him on the floor, stop getting into foul trouble. Because when he’s on the floor, our offense is so much better because he gives us another option.”
Given the composition of the roster, Andrews has been called upon to play the five spot for Kouts. Duzan has appreciated his efforts.
“He’s really a forward, but based on our lack of size, he often
gets stuck on the inside,” Duzan said. “He’s very undersized, and he’s battled all year for us in there and gotten a lot done both offensively and defensively. He’s had a really solid year up and down.”
Andrews, who plans to study business at Indiana, used air quotes to joke that he is indeed the team’s “big man.” He has used his brain more than his brawn on the interior.
“It’s a matter of playing smart,” he said. “Big guys try to be physical. I try to stay away from that aspect and be the smart guy and take that charge. My approach to it is to stand straight up and let those big guys run into you. If I’m able to keep my hands straight up and take that charge, it takes them out of the game.”
Andrews is one of Kouts’ six seniors, a tightly knit class that has played together since elementary school. Senior forward Tristan Ballas also is one of those players, a key cog for the Mustangs who typically draws the assignment of guarding the opponent’s best player.
“His role has been crazy,” Ballas said of Andrews. “We went into the year and had high expectations for everybody. We all had to play different roles. Spencer didn’t even start last year, and now knowing he’s on the floor, it just helps so much offensively and defensively.”
It has been a new experience for Andrews.
“Senior year, you’re in that bigger role, you’re starting now, and it’s a fun feeling,” he said. “But at the same time, you have that pressure. You’re excited, but you’re kind of anxious. This is your time. You’re the guy. You can’t hide behind anyone. You’re the guy who has to be there.
“I still have tons of fun with the guys. The underclassmen love to be here, they love the energy, because all of the seniors and upperclassmen are leaders to show them how it’s done. We like to create a positive place where you’re here to work, but you can also have fun at the same time.”
Andrews came off the bench last season, describing his job then as a shooter to “kind of get the spark going.” He played on the junior varsity team as a sophomore, when the Mustangs advanced all the way to the 1A state championship game.
And there was — or wasn’t — that freshman season.
“I just didn’t feel like I wanted to play,” Andrews said. “I didn’t feel like it was my sport. I played all through my middle school years. But freshman year, I was like, ‘I don’t think I want to play