‘Whatever it takes’
Chesterton is Grayson’s team now, and junior guard is ready to be focal point
The symbolic, if not literal, passing of the torch from Jake Wadding to Travis Grayson occurred in Chesterton’s 53-52 loss to Valparaiso in a Class 4A sectional final last season.
Grayson scored eight straight points, including a 3-pointer at the buzzer, to keep his team in the game. He said it should’ve been nine straight points because he was fouled on a layup and it wasn’t called.
Wadding, a 6-foot-5 forward who was a four-year starter, graduated and is playing for Grace College. He is the second-leading scorer in Chesterton history.
Wadding always was the go-to player for the Trojans (23-3). It’s Grayson’s team now.
“This year I’m going to have to be the best I can be,” Grayson said. “I have to take more responsibility and to play as good as I can every game.”
Chesterton coach Marc Urban said Grayson, who averaged 13 points and four assists and shot 45% from 3-point range, can be “electric.”
Grayson has followed roughly the same path as Wadding. He started some his freshman year and then started every game as a sophomore. Wadding was different, however. He arrived as a double-figure scorer, and he didn’t level off over four seasons. Grayson has developed into an elite player.
What the 5 -f o o t-9 Grayson has mastered is the ability to play with the basketball.
It is difficult for defenders to stay in front of him, he uses both hands well and he’s athletic.
The goal is to have Grayson play like a combo guard when necessary. In Urban’s offense, that means playing without the ball. He has to come off screens and
learn to get open.
Every team game - planned for Wadding last season. He was a great passer who, according to Urban, “always made the right decision.”
Grayson will get all the attention now.
“Last year, I had to create for others and get the ball to Jake,” Grayson said. “This year, I’m the guy that is going to be getting the ball more.”
Said Urban: “The focus from other teams is going to be on Travis this year. He’s not going to sneak up on anyone. They are going to focus on him. If he makes the right decisions, he’s going to be a legend.”
Grayson’s work ethic already is legendary. He was working out twice a day at his house in the spring after the coronavirus pandemic hit.
There were ballhandling and shooting drills, cardio exercises and strength training.
That turned out to be too much. Grayson was diagnosed with tendinitis in his hips, and he had to rest for a
month while doing physical therapy.
He said it was a blessing. “I feel like I’m stronger than ever,” he said.
Going into last season, Grayson reworked his mechanics for his jump shot. He went from being a below-average shooter to being one of the best in the area. Grayson didn’t take many 3-point shots, but when he did, he was good. He made 14 of 31.
It’s going to be a different game this season. Grayson said he should get those shots coming off screens.
“There is a lot of movement and a lot of spacing,” Grayson said.
“We set a lot of screens. We should have options. If my defender is tied up, it’ll leave me open to take shots. If that doesn’t happen, I should be able to get the ball to other people.”
No matter how much Grayson plays without the ball, it’s clear that he’ll be the player the team works through at crunch time. Grayson is fine with that. “I want to do whatever it takes to win,” he said.