Tyner’s Reggie Gilmore came into his high school senior season with two major objectives.
On a personal level, the 6-foot-6 forward’s target had nothing to do with any minimum scoring average. When Rams basketball coach Gerald Harris asked him about his average, Gilmore shrugged and said he didn’t know what it was.
It’s actually a little more than 15 points per game, but Gilmore is more proud of how his average got there than what it is. Not only is he shooting almost 60 percent from the field and better than 70 percent from the free-throw line, but his production has been dependable and a key reason Tyner is 20-6.
“I’ve been playing for Coach Harris for three years now,” said Gilmore, who’s also averaging seven rebounds per game. “Last year there were times after practice where he would pull me aside and tell me, ‘You’re not consistent enough to play at the next level.’ That’s really helped me this year.”
Gilmore’s other goal has to do with team success this time of year. Tyner has earned the District 6-AA regular-season and tournament championships and will host Sequoyah at 7 p.m. Saturday in the first round of the Region 3 tournament.
Examining Gilmore’s scoring statistics game by game, it’s easy to see how steady his play has been this year. His season low was six points on Dec. 18 in a 61-42 win over Brainerd. He had eight in a 47-39 victory over McCallie when Harris held him out the first half for arriving late.
SATURDAY BOYS’ REGION TOURNAMENTSAND DIVISION II-AA QUARTERFINALS(All times EST)3-AAA: 7 p.m.–Warren County at Cleveland; White County at Ooltewah; 8–Bradley Central at Cumberland County; McMinn County at Cookeville.4-AA: 7–York Institute at Notre Dame; 8–Cannon County at Grundy County; Bledsoe County at Livingston Academy; Sequatchie County at Upperman.3-AA: 7–Brainerd at McMinn Central; Red Bank at Sweetwater; Polk County at Howard; Sequoyah at Tyner.3-A: 7–Signal Mountain at Grace Academy; Lookout Valley at Arts & Sciences; 8–Boyd-Buchanan at South Pittsburg; Copper Basin at Marion County.DII-AA: 5–Briarcrest Christian at McCallie; 8–Baylor at Ensworth.
He’s been in double figures every other game and scored a team-high 16 points in the 62-58 victory over Howard (23-3) in the district final.
“He’s been the most consistent player on the floor for us this year,” Harris said. “Last year his game went in spurts. I guess because it’s his last year he’s taking it a little more serious.
“He’s gotten more aggressive and demands the ball when he posts up. The guards have a lot of confidence giving it to him because they know when the ball goes in to him he can make some things happen.”
Gilmore and his teammates are aiming for a region title and the state tournament in Murfreesboro. That’s the postseason championship they want most.
“That’s been our goal since middle school,” Gilmore said. “We know that on any given night a team can be beat. It’s all about the mindset and not letting down. We’ve just got to prepare mentally for those type situations.”