GAINESVILLE — At this time last year, Blake McIntyre was resigned to nothing more than a spectator as he watched the Lakeview Academy boys basketball team embark upon its greatest season ever.
It was admittedly tough for the then-sophomore guard, who transferred from the state’s largest public school, Mill Creek, to one of the state’s smallest schools, public or private. And he watched from the bench as the Lions advanced to the Class A Private Final Four for the first time in program history -- finishing a couple of baskets short of a championship game berth.
McIntyre felt he could have given the Lions a little more depth, one extra shooter, one extra defender. Instead, by Georgia High School Association rule, he had to sit for a full calendar year before he could don a varsity jersey. His first official action came one game before the 2017 Lanierland Tournament on Dec. 21 against East Jackson.
“I really wanted to play, and I think I could have helped the team,” McIntyre said Wednesday. “But I knew when I transferred I would have to sit so I just did what I could to support the team and help in practice. It was cool and tough at the same time, watching them make it that far.”
However, Lakeview boys coach Todd Cottrell said McIntyre’s impact was felt almost from the day he set foot on the Gainesville campus.
“We would have him run the offense against the varsity squad and he was tough to guard then,” Cottrell recollected. “He really helped us get prepared for the quick guards we saw in the playoffs. He played a big role in our run even though he wasn’t able to play in the games.”
Now, halfway through the 2017-18 campaign, McIntyre finds himself having to assume yet another role he wasn’t expecting: that of offensive leader.
Returning and current leading scorer senior Drew Cottrell (18 points a game, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals) went down with a back injury during the Lanierland Tournament and missed eight games. McIntyre, who was splitting time with senior Jack Blackburn at the point, was forced into a starting role. And it may eventuially be seen as a season-saver.
Lakeview (12-6, 9-0 Region 8-A) has gone 7-3 since Cottrell’s injury, with all seven wins coming in region play. Cottrell returned for the last two games but in a very limited capacity as he gets back into shape. McIntyre has been the leading scorer in almost half of those games and has brought stability when many teams may have crumbled.
“Without Blake stepping up like he has, we’re probably not in the position we’re at right now,” Cottrell said. “He was really supposed to split time with Jack but now he is running a lot of the point. He can shoot the heck out of the ball, and he’s quick as a cat.
“You never want to lose your best player, but this has really helped our depth, and we can run a lot more combinations out there as a result. But we’re also not surprised at how well he has played. We saw that last year when he practiced with us most of the season.”
Admittedly it was a long year for McIntyre, who said he could have started at Mill Creek had he stayed. But the decision was not just about sports but a way of life.
“I had played in (Mill Creek’s) system for several years and I played with most of the varsity guys so, yeah, I think I would have,” he said. “But really I just felt I needed something different than what I was getting at Mill Creek. I have no regrets about it at all. It was mainly an academic move for me, but so far everything has been just what I was hoping it would be.”
That’s not to say there weren’t some early growing pains.
“Oh, there was some culture shock for sure at first,” he recalled. “It’s definitely different when you go to a school like Mill Creek, where every day in the halls I would see four or five people I had never seen in my life. It’s a huge place. Here the classes are small, but I really love the atmosphere and everyone welcomed me in right from the start.”
Cottrell said McIntyre is a prime example for all players of what can come from hard work and preparation.
“He was playing about 15-20 minutes. But when he got his opportunity he was ready, and he has taken off and excelled,” Cottrell said.
McIntyre, who is averaging 17 ppg, 7 apg, and 2 steals per game, said he always felt he could give more than what was being asked of him.
“I was eager to show people that I could play at a higher level. But really I just want to do whatever coach and the team needs me to do,” he said. “There was no real conversation about Drew being out and that I was expected to step up. We just talked about what we all needed to do as part of the team.
“But I also took it as a cue from the coaches that I needed to step up a little more. That’s what I’ve tried to do.”
So with Drew Cottrell almost back to full strength and a new-and-improved bench, can the Lions put together a repeat playoff run? There are just over two weeks left in the regular season before the all-important region tournaments begin.
When pressed, McIntyre held nothing back.
“When I first got here, I didn’t realize just how good the program was,” McIntyre offered. “But after being here for a year now and watching and being a small part of last year, I think there’s no limit to what we can do.
“It’s a different team than last year. We lost some great players. But we’re really just now getting everyone together. We’re just now starting to peak I think. We’re very focused as a team, but we all know there’s a lot more growth for this team as well.
“Personally, I think we’re good enough to get back to the Final Four. That’s our goal.”
