2023 Baseball Magazine Preview | Page 72

undersized , you are always going to have specific weaknesses , whether it be on the offensive or defensive end . I ’ ve really worked hard on specific things that I am required to be good at if I want a chance in this conference .
Gavin has taken his game to the next level through hard work and dedication . He ’ s simply a gym rat . “ I love basketball . I love being in the gym whether I ’ m practicing , playing , or if I ’ m on my own just getting shots up . It doesn ’ t feel like a chore to play basketball and that ’ s a huge factor on why I love getting better . I also want to give credit to Coach Watson , Lamb , Davis , Ferguson , and Coach Ward for always having the gym open at any time they could when I would ask them to . I couldn ’ t have gotten here without their help .” Hall specifically gave a great deal of credit to his head coach . “ I love playing for Coach Watson . His basketball IQ is off the charts and as a point guard I really appreciate him trusting me to be a leader of this team . I trust his game plans , and I really do think that he ’ s an amazing coach . Me and him have legit basketball conversations , and it ’ s like he knows everything there is to know . He ’ s also a great person , and he ’ s really helped me with a lot of different situations that aren ’ t just about basketball . I think those things have helped our relationship on and off the court , and I couldn ’ t ask for a better head coach in my high school years .”
Gavin mentioned going through some issues over the summer and how his coach was there for him . “ I had a really tough time dealing with anxiety this summer and at the beginning of the school year . It pulled me away from the game for a short amount of time , and in that time , I realized just how easily this game could be taken away from me . I think that really helped shape my winning mentality because it really is “ now or never ” sometimes when it comes to sports . I want to also thank Coach Watson , Lamb , and Davis for helping me and being on my side when it came to dealing with that .”
The senior has a great deal of appreciation for not only his coaches but also his teammates . Specifically , he gives credit to a former teammate that he still stays in touch with . “ My sophomore year was tough . There were a lot of ups and downs , but I think we started moving the program in the right direction . One teammate that I played with that season , Ashton White , really took me under his wing . He made sure that I was always working my hardest , and really was the perfect senior teammate . I still talk to him on a daily basis , and I cannot credit him enough for helping me become the player I am this season .”
As Hall ’ s career comes to an end , he hopes to not only make the state tournament but leave a lasting impression on the Ram faithful for his time he has spent in a Paragould uniform . “ It ’ s a really surreal feeling . I remember as a freshman I thought I had so much time left and now here I am , in my senior season , with only a handful of games remaining . I would love to make the state tournament before I finish playing for Paragould High School . Obviously , I want the fans to remember me as a good basketball player , but I also want them to see how much I care . I want them to see how much I love my teammates and how much I love being a Paragould Ram . I wouldn ’ t want to play for any other team .