Coach talks up Shad Thomas’ Basketball talents and more

Head Coach of the Catawba Community College Basketball team in North Carolina, USA, Brian Garmoth, has lavished Vincentian Shad Thomas with plaudits for his Basketball talent, decorum and humanitarian traits.

Thomas, who joined the College last year on a scholarship, made the institution’s highlight reel for the 2021/2022 National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Championships.

The six-foot – five inch Thomas, who plays in the forward position, was first in the offensive and defensive rebounding positions and was the top rebounder, and had the most rebounds per game.

These accolades delighted Garmoth, as he lauded Thomas.

“He has played one season for us and had a tremendous season, led the country in rebounds… He has really helped our team … Did well academically, made his grades and is a pleasure to coach,” a beaming Garmoth told SEARCHLIGHT last Friday, July 22.

Listing some of Thomas’ traits that singles him out, Garmoth said: “He is very athletics… He always goes hard every day, he practices hard … He works, not only in practice, but before and after practice, at developing skills that are weak and turn them into strengths… He does not create any discipline issues, is coachable and does not get mad whenever you try to coach him”.

Continuing the identifiable attributes of Thomas, Garmoth added: “Everybody respects him because of his game… He was a quiet leader and everyone looks up to him, but I expect this year as a second-year player he will be a strong leader on our team and be more vocal”.

When Garmoth got Thomas on his team last year, he did not possess some of the rudiments of Basketball, but quickly acquired them.

“Shad did not have the background in the skills and fundamentals that a lot of Americans have, but what was surprising was how fast he picked things up as we taught him,” Garmoth disclosed.

Thomas, who is originally from Union Island in the Grenadines, obtained a Basketball Scholarship to attend the Salem Baptist Christian School (SBCS) in North Carolina in 2019, thanks to the instrumentality of fellow Vincentian Kishon Bishop, who also resides in North Carolina.

However, from Thomas showings on the basketball courts while attending SBCS, his prowess was sought by several colleges, but it was the Catawba Community College, that became the beneficiary.