The buzz around Westmoore senior basketball player Gavin Loper has been high this offseason.
“[Loper] led the team in assists for the last 2 years. Led the team last year in rebounds and defensive stops and was second in 3-point percentage. Gavin is a high-iQ player and a great leader. He knows how to make his teammates better and is an excellent defender.”
Loper’s never struggled to produce points on the floor, but this year, especially, he’s ready to take a big scoring leap.
“I have been working on my jumper a lot, for sure. I have a way bigger role this year, so I have to be better. I also worked a lot on my bounce and handles,” Loper said. It’s not all about what he can do with a ball in his hands, either. 6A basketball “will see a leader” in Loper this year.
“I’m going to guard the best player and do everything to win,” Loper said. “Offensively, I’m going to score a lot more and create open looks for my teammates.” Most importantly, he’s learned how to be vocally assertive “while still lifting other people up,” what can often be a tricky balance. “I’m trying to get to state. We haven’t been in a while,” Loper said.
They only let eight teams into Lloyd Noble Center for the 6A state tournament, and Loper believes the Jaguars could be one of those eight teams if they focus on defense and rebounding.
“That’s what got us the past few years. We aren’t the biggest team, so we have to do that well,” Loper said.
Loper’s basketball career began in kindergarten.
“I remember playing Upward basketball, and I played up a year. I remember being really good and going to get layups,” Loper said, laughing. “Couldn’t shoot that good, though.”
His mother, Carrie, and step-father, Cory, have facilitated his career every step along the way.
“My mom has always supported me by putting me in basketball,” Loper said. “My step-dad was my junior high coach both years and is now an assistant at Westmoore! They both believe in me the most.”
Years later, Loper still eats, sleeps and breathes hoops. He doesn’t know much else but that he wants to play basketball at the collegiate level. He believes the skills in his toolbag will be invaluable to a college team.
“I think it’s my iQ on the court, and that I just know how to win,” Loper said. “I do all the little things.”
Executing “the little things” has always been an integral part of Loper’s identity. He’s not sure where he got it from, but he got it all the same.
“I don’t know, maybe just watching a lot of basketball growing up? And if I do what other people won’t do, then I’ll stay in the game, so that’s what I always thought,” Loper said.
