Coalfield's Gunter signs to play basketball at Bryan College

Morgan County: Gunter finishes prep career as Coalfield's all-time leader in steals (436) and assists (401)

By BRIAN LANGLEY/Morgan County News

Steven Gunter became the first male basketball player from Coalfield to sign to play for a four-year college.

Gunter signed to play basketball with Bryan College last Wednesday morning in front of the Coalfield student body.

Countless hours in the gym, many more in the weight room, and a strong determination in the class room have finally paid off for Gunter, who has dreamed of playing college basketball since he was in junior high.

"It is a really good feeling to know that the past four years of hard work has paid off. Now I get a chance to go to college and hopefully work even harder to be successful there," explained Gunter.

"This has been a dream of mine for several years. It is just a great feeling to be able to sign and go play college basketball."

Gunter is considered one of the top guards to ever play at Coalfield, and finishes his career as the all-time leader in steals (436) and assists (401). He finished his prep career with 1,182 points and 522 rebounds. He averaged 13.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.4 steals and 4.6 assists his senior season. His career scoring total ranks among the top five all-time as he joins the list of Brian Conlon, Jeff Cox, Roger Jackson and Marty Maston.

"He always stepped up when the game was against a top-notch opponent and he had to really play well for us to compete. He is one of the best players to come through Coalfield and he will do well at Bryan College," Coalfield head coach Ronnie Wilson remarked.

His basketball honors include: three-time All-District 4A Team; two-time PrepXtra Steals Leader in East Tennessee; three-Time All Tri-County Team; and numerous all-tournament teams.

"My high school career has had its ups and downs, but I have loved it no matter what. The best individual highlight I had was my freshman year when I stole the ball from Jerriel Inman against Wartburg and sealed the game for us," Gunter recalled.

Wilson recalls the same game Gunter does as one that stands out in his mind.

"Steven has had a lot of really good games for us, but I believe the game stands out to me was when we beat Wartburg his freshman year. I don't think we could have won that game if he hadn't done some things he did for us," said Wilson.

Gunter's best team highlights were getting Coalfield back to the regional tournament for two straight seasons for the first time in quite a while.

Wilson admires all the hard work that Gunter has put into his game during his four years of high school.

"His mental toughness, his hard work and dedication to the game was tremendous during his four years," said Wilson.

"Steven always wanted to take the clutch shot for us. He is not afraid of failure if it means we have a chance at victory."

Gunter is excited about the opportunity to go down to Bryan and challenge for playing time at point guard. While he is ready for the challenge, he knows he has work to do to be successful at the collegiate level.

"I can improve on everything, but my key points I really need to improve on is getting off screens on defense, and to become a better shooter and see the floor better," Gunter said.

"Every aspect of my game has room for improvement. The competition level in college is so much greater than it is in high school, and working at it is the only way to get better."

Bryan College head coach Don Rekoske likes Gunter's toughness and skills as a point guard.

"He is a tough-minded kid that has good skills and sees the floor well. I think he will defend pretty well and he will get in there and mix it up. I love his toughness. Physically, he is not afraid to get in there and put his nose where it needs to be put," said Rekoske.

Rekoske believes that Gunter must improve his outside shot to become a better point guard.

Playing point guard is what Gunter loves to do the most.

"Point guard is what I have always liked. I wouldn't care to play two or three, but I like point guard where I can control the game and control the team. I like getting out there and distributing the basketball, which is what a good point guard should do," Gunter remarked.

Rekoske envisions Gunter as being a key ingredient in the backcourt for the Lions.

"He is going to be one of our backup point guards. He will start for us at point guard on JV and will back up on varsity. Next year, if something happens to one of our other two point guards he will be playing," said Rekoske.

Gunter believes he knows what he has to do to earn playing time at Bryan. He is motivated to work his way up the ranks.

"Just being back on the bottom of the food chain is what will motivate me. In past experiences, I have been on the bottom and I know what it takes to work my way up. There is a competitive drive in me to get down there and get some playing time and to fight for what I can get," Gunter said.

Gunter has plenty of confidence in himself to do well at Bryan College during his four years.

"I want to go down there and compete with everybody and make a name for myself. I want to fight for playing time and that is what I told Coach Rekoske and Coach Schock. I just want to make the team better at Bryan and I know that if I work hard I will do just that," Gunter said.

Rekoske is already seeing the confidence Gunter displays during several of the workouts he has participated with the Bryan players.

"He (Gunter) has worked out with us a few times and has gained some respect from his teammates already, and for a high school senior that is a good thing. We're very excited he is coming to Bryan College," said Rekoske.

Other teams that were involved in Gunter's recruiting process include: Milligan College, University of Virginia at Wise, Tusculum College and Lincoln Memorial University.

Gunter credits Coach Ronnie Wilson for all his help in the recruiting process.

"Coach Ronnie (Wilson) is a great guy and a good friend of mine. He busted his butt to get my name out there and get me looked at for college. I can't thank him enough for helping me out," Gunter praised.

"He (Wilson) has put out so much effort coaching us the last four seasons and you just have to respect the guy for that."

Wilson has known for quite sometime that Gunter would achieve his goal of playing college basketball.

"You always want to see your kids succeed and move on to the next level, and I have always believed he (Gunter) could do this. Playing college basketball is always been a dream of his, and it was a goal I set for him and myself to work hard to get him ready for this," said Wilson.

Gunter was a two-sport star at Coalfield having earned all-state credentials on the football team, and he credits his time on the football field as a big part in his success on the court.

"I was blessed to come down to Coalfield and be a part of something special. It was great to have played under Coach (Garry) Kreis and all the other great football coaches and I believe getting involved in the weight room has really helped me all around. Football and the weights helped me to get stronger, tougher, and more durable. My freshman year in basketball, I was taking hits on the court and it was hard to get up from. But during my four years, I bulked up and it really made a difference and made it easier to get up off the hardwood," Gunter said.

"The football experience is something that I will remember forever."

Not only has Steven excelled in athletics, but he will also graduate at the top of his class with a 4.0 GPA to go along with a 23 on his ACT.

"He has worked extremely hard in the class room and he has been a model student," Wilson quipped.

His plans at Bryan College is to either major in optometry, sports medicine or sports broadcasting.

"I will do a little more research on all three fields and I will make my decision when I get down there," Gunter said.

Steven is the son of Nancy McCartt of Wartburg and James Gunter of Scott County.