Westerville South boys basketball coach Ed Calo has seen dozens of outstanding players in a tenure that has reached its 37th season.
One of his current players, 6-foot-5 junior guard Kruz McClure, is on that list, and not just because McClure has increased his scoring average from 17.5 points last season to 26.7 despite being the focus of opposing defenses.
McClure is the same, Calo said, no matter an opponent's strategy. It's proof McClure knows his leadership role is about more than being the leading scorer, even though he has delivered two of the biggest scoring performances in program history.
"I'm not in his head, but just from how he handles himself, he doesn't think about (his high-scoring performances)," Calo said. "He doesn't worry about it. He doesn't really care all that much about what's he's doing in those regards. In his situation, what's been impressive is he's seen a lot of special defenses. He's seen a lot of face-guarding. We need some other guys to take some pressure off of him."
McClure scored 40 points in a 76-64 win over Dublin Scioto on Dec. 8, then topped that performance with 41 in a 73-65 win over Delaware Hayes on Dec. 22 to help the Wildcats snap a two-game losing streak.
The only other South players to score at least 40 points are 2017 graduate Kaleb Wesson (49, 43), 2013 graduate Marcus Ball (43) and 2019 graduate Jordan McMillian (40).
"It's an honor to be mentioned with those guys, especially Kaleb, because if my points can lead to a state championship then that would be awesome," McClure said. "But I've never been the type of player to play for scoring records."
Wesson helped South win the Division I state title in 2016 .
McClure's increased production follows the graduation of three other double-figure scorers from last season in Jadi Cunningham (12.1), Jalen Wheeler (11.0) and Jujuan Ray (10.1).
"I love the challenge, but I have coach Calo helping me," McClure said. "I'm not the only one leading this team. He's showing me the way."
Junior point guard Amari Hodges has complemented McClure in scoring, averaging 10.3 points while helping to direct the offense.
"Amari has stepped up huge," McClure said. "He's made my job easy. Just give him the ball and he is knocking them down."
McClure, who was first-team all-OCC-Capital, second-team all-district and special mention all-state last season, credits Calo and the coaching staff for his continued progress. He has received Division I college offers, with the first coming from Siena College last June.
He nearly had a new head coach following his freshman season, but Calo changed his mind after announcing his retirement and returned to the bench.
"The coaches are amazing," McClure said. "They push me every day. They don't let me take any easy way out. They definitely push me to be a better person, on and off the court. I was pretty sad when coach said he was retiring. He pulled me aside one day after one of our morning workouts and said he was coming back. I was very excited."
Calo sensed McClure's potential during his freshman year.
"I saw a young man who loved the game of basketball," Calo said. "He had some talent, but he had a great work ethic and was extremely coachable. I think I've been pretty good identifying guys who are going to develop into pretty good players.
"The No. 1 aspect is their willingness to get better. Great players want to be coached. Great players want to be critiqued. I saw that from the beginning with Kruz. He wanted to get better, and he wanted to be a player. He loves the game of basketball, which is key."
South (6-3) is in contention for the OCC-Capital title at 4-2, tied with Big Walnut and a game behind Delaware and Westerville North . The Wildcats continue league play Friday at Worthington Kilbourne.
"We always say we're 0-0 after every game," McClure said. "We just prepare for that next game. ... We can go as far as we allow ourselves to go."
South won a district title last season before losing to eventual state runner-up Pickerington Central 59-51 in a regional semifinal.
"Every game for us is going to be a challenge, but we look forward to it," McClure said. "We like to take on a challenge."
In addition to having more responsibilities on the court, McClure has a new haircut this season.
"I had a giant afro," he said. "We were sitting in our living room, and I said it was time to cut it off, so we just cut it all off. A lot of people preferred my afro. My dad was super happy. He wanted me to be bald. ... My parents (dad Kelley and mom Tracy) are the people that I can go to about everything. No matter what I do, they'll always love me."
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: McClure emerges as leader of Westerville South boys basketball
