PrepHoopNC’s Open Gym Road Trip
Avery County High School Open Gym
The mountains of Western North Carolina hides some hidden gems from time to time. 2018 guard Deacon Heath of Avery County High School is one of those. The 6-foot guard is sneaky athletic and can score the basketball from anywhere on the floor. He has a high basketball IQ and is a proven-winner.
Head Coach Scott Grubb is a UNC-Chapel Hill alumnus and was the basketball manager for the Tar Heels in the early 1990’s under Head Coach Dean Smith. He is a long-time coach from the area and knows the game and how to teach it to young players. Avery County High School is known for hard-nosed smaller basketball players that give it their all and work hard. They always find a way to win and playing at their home gym is one of the hardest places to play in the region.
While speaking to Deacon, I could tell that he was different than a lot of kids his age. He has a willingness to get better and is always working on his game. He loves a challenge and knows that hard work will be what is required to make those dreams reality. He averaged a conference 2nd best 22 points per game this past season. There is an option for Heath to play at the Division One level as a preferred walk-on at a school not far from him. Still waiting on some test scores to get back before finalizing that.
Hometown school Lees-McRae has offered a scholarship along with Division III school Guilford College out of Greensboro. I see Heath a possible Big South/SoCon guard or a really good Division II prospect at the next level.
Chase Kirkpatrick, a skilled 2019 guard has good size, can finish plays at the rim, understands the game and has a good handle. At 6’2, Kirkpatrick will have to play some three and four position at Avery. He will be the other scoring option for Avery HS while teams may double-team Heath.