Peyton Reeves blossomed on the basketball courts at Newton County this year.
Now the 6-foot-4 senior hopes the same thing will happen at Belhaven University in Jackson.
Reeves signed to play basketball with the Blazers last week.
For his coach and grandfather Steve Harber, it was a day he will never forget.
“It was hard at times but I wouldn’t take anything for it,” Harber said. “It’s one of those things that you question yourself as to why you are doing this but when it’s all over with, you realize why. This is one of the proudest days of my life.”
Reeves said he was also being recruited by East Central but liked what he saw at Belhaven.
“The atmosphere. everyone is so friendly and you feel like it’s a family,” Reeves said. “As soon as you get there, you feel welcome. They don’t just do it because you are a recruit, they do it out of the kindness of their heart. That was my big thing; it felt like a family.”
Reeves said it’s the opportunity he’s been dreaming about for years.
“It’s amazing,” Reeves said of signing to play college basketball. “You dream of the opportunity to do this as a kid in your back yard. You look at it, and it’s kind of surreal to be able to suit up and go play at all of these different places.
“I was raised in basketball and it’s in my blood. Anytime something bad happens, just being able to go out and dribble and shoot the basketball is like a remedy for me. Being alone and hearing the basketball hit the floor is my meditation. I love everything about it and always have.”
Harber said he thinks Belhaven is getting a player with plenty of upside.
“He’s just 17 years old and I think he will grow a couple of more inches,” Harber said. “I think the sky’s the limit for him. I’m so proud of him because he has worked his tail off to get where he is now. He deserves everything he gets. He made himself into a basketball player. He gets up at 5:00 in the morning to workout and stays in late shooting. It’s 24-7 basketball.”
