Fontenot takes his game to new level

[KFDM COOP]

Fontenot takes his game to new level

By Michael Pineda

Baytown Sun 

Published November 22, 2007

The level that Sterling senior forward Adrian Fontenot played at last season was good enough to be named to the All-District 21-5A first team.

But it was nothing like this.

Three games into the season, Fontenot is averaging 29 points and 16 rebounds a game. More important to the senior is the fact that he has changed his demeanor on the court so he can stay on the court. The strides he has made over the off-season are not limited to basketball.

“In the off-season, I wanted to be a leader on and off the court,†Fontenot said. “Sterling hasn’t been in the playoffs in a while and I wanted to do what I could to get us there.â€

Fontenot said he missed 14 games last season “because of problems†and he’s not happy about it.

“I was disgusted with myself,†he said. “Coach told me I was a great player but I was hurting myself. He told me he wasn’t going to put up with it — if I got a technical I was coming out of the game.

“I have matured and I have grown up a lot. This year, you are going to see a different player. That was the only thing holding me back. I do want to take the next step and go D-1.â€

The change in attitude has not been limited to Fontenot.

In the preseason, Sterling head coach Mark Patton talked about the team becoming more of a family. A core group of seniors Fontenot, Derrick Thompson, Le’Reis Watson and junior Cartavious Kincade have been together on the varsity for three years now and have the been through the same struggles.

“Last year, we had a lot of talent but we didn’t have a lot of chemistry,†Fontenot said. “Last year, guys had their own agenda. When we started losing we just got the loser’s limp.

“I believe that it (chemistry) is there now and it can take us deep in the playoffs. We have known each other since we were little and we want the same thing.â€

Part of the reason for Fontenot’s success this season is his work during the summer. Playing AAU ball in Port Arthur, the senior improved on his strength and conditioning as well as his ability to put the ball on the floor, making him even more of a threat on the offensive end.

Even though the numbers he is putting up on the offensive side of the ball are eye-popping, Fontenot has been active on both sides of the floor.

“He has taken his game to a new level,†Patton said. “I knew he could play, but this is more of a wow-type thing. Since day one, all of kids go through the same routine and every year Adrian has worked with the guards and the posts. And he is not one of those players that only does it on one end.â€

In addition to working on his game this summer, Fontenot worked on keeping himself under control.

In the past, a desire to win and compete has led Fontenot to trouble on the court. Last season he picked up eight technicals, down from his sophomore year. This season he has set a goal of zero technicals.

“I hate losing like I hate getting a bad grade and taking it home to my mom,†Fontenot said. “I’ve learned over the summer you can be aggressive and you can have self-control.

“I have the fire to win, but I don’t let my feelings get involved.â€