The Nixa Boys basketball team is riding the momentum of last year’s final four appearance into this season.
The Eagles started the season 8-0. One similarity from last year’s team is senior standout Kael Combs.
Combs knows he was young when he first picked up a basketball.
“(I was) three or four years old I would say,” said the Nixa senior.
Combs played varsity as a freshman for Nixa, keeping his focus on the court.
“My first two years I maybe came to one or two football games in those two seasons,” Combs said.
Then Nixa hired John Perry.
“I wasn’t too attracted to it but then when I heard about a coach coming from Mississippi it kind of like open my ears a little bit, and then he won a lot of games,” he added.
Kael wanted in on the fun.
“I thought about it and was like ‘what’s the worst that can happen I guess?’” Combs said.
Combs went on to be break five school records for the Eagles and attracted division one attention.
“He’s one of those kids that can just pick up a ball and be successful and that goes back to his athleticism. He was born with a gift and he’s translated that right onto the football field as well as basketball,” said Nixa basketball coach Brock Blansit.
On the court for the Eagles Combs is the only returning starter from last year’s final four squad.
“We just need Kael to really be the floor general for us,” Blansit said.
So far this season he’s doing just that. Leading Nixa to an undefeated start and becoming the 27th player in Eagles history to score 1,000 career points.
“I know it’s definitely a big accomplishment,” Combs said.
“It’s a huge milestone, especially with the schedule that we play,” Blansit added. “Kael doesn’t have to score. The thing is he has over 1,000 points and that’s where he’s getting his credit, but he’s going to end up in the top five for assists and steals. He’s a great playmaker.”
That playmaking ability is getting division one attention for basketball as well, but Kael’s not worried about life after Nixa just yet.
“Sometime after basketball season I’ll have to decide if I want to do basketball or football,” Combs said.
But what about both?
“I think there is a possibility. I know that there are colleges that have recruited kids for both sports and that’s something I’m interested in. If someone were to give me an option to do so I would definitely take it,” Combs added.
During his time left at Nixa he’s focusing on winning a basketball state title, but you never know with Combs he could decide to be great at another sport.
“Every now and then I’ll walk by the baseball coach, or he’ll say something to me about coming out but it’s never too serious like how it was with football. I don’t know you never know,” Combs said.
