The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

HE is only in his freshman year, but already Bahamian Gregory McKay Jr is making a name for himself with the Hosanna College Warbirds men’s basketball team in the New South Athletic Conference.

Last week, McKay was named the Conference Player of the Week, having posted 27 points in a 111-69 victory over Virginia Prep on January 23. He followed that with 25 points as the Warbirds defeated Winston-Salem Christian Post-Grad 65-59 on January 26. His final performance was 13 points as Hosanna College came from behind to nip Carolina University 66-65 on January 30.

McKay said when he found out that he was nominated, he trusted God to deliver him to the achievement because he knew he had put in the work.

“Winning an award like that, I was more grateful than anything when I found out I had won,” said McKay, who credited his success to his faith in God. “I’m just so happy to have achieved the award.

“It means a lot, not just to me, but to my family that hard work does pay off. I just want to be an inspiration to the players back home that anything is possible, once they put their mind to it and trust in God.”

After leaving Mt Carmel in 2016 where he starred on their basketball team, McKay enrolled at Piper High School in Sunrise, Florida, where he played both basketball and volleyball, graduating last year.

After returning from the Bahamas over the Christmas break where he enjoyed some good old home cooking of conch salad, conch fritters, souse and Johnny Cake, McKay Jr went on an offensive tear in Durham, North Carolina.

The 19-year-old 6-foot, 5-inch forward, known for his 360 degree dunks and windmills, helped the Warbirds to go onto a four-game winning streak, including their 73-70 triumph over Chowan University on February 1.

“I feel pretty good. I feel as time goes on, we will get better,” McKay Jr said. “We’re much better than we were at the beginning of the season, so things could only get better as time goes on. We’re in the gym every day putting in the time and the effort, so we can only get better from here.”

As for his own personal game, McKay Jr admits that there’s always room for improvement.

“Every time I step on the court, I always try to be the smartest player on the court,” he said. “But I feel there’s always room for improvement. That is why I’m always working on every aspect of my game every day.”

For the Warbirds, on the other hand, McKay says if they can stay locked in for the full game, rather than just a half or three quarters, they can play much better than they can and won’t have to wait down the stretch to pull it off.

“We just hope to get better every day and to win more basketball games,” McKay Jr stressed. “That’s why we’re in the gym every day, putting in the work, trying to get better.”

The prep college league, according to McKay, is extremely tough, but they are holding their own as they try to make a name for themselves, just as he’s trying to do as an individual player. “The league is tough, but we’re making a name for ourselves, having pulled off a couple of upsets,” he pointed out.

“There were a couple of college teams we played. We were the underdogs going in, but we came out victorious. So we enjoyed those upsets.”

With the rise of the coronavirus pandemic, which has forced some sporting leagues to cancel or postpone games, McKay Jr said Hosanna College is doing all they can to ensure that their players stay safe.

“We want to allow our season to continue, so we are staying isolated and taking all of the necessary precautions, wearing our masks and keeping our distance,” he stated. “That is all we can do and just pray to God that everything goes well.”

At some games, there are some fans in the stands, but McKay Jr said it’s in no way near capacity, but it hasn’t hindered their progress during the season.

“As a Bahamian, I have to adjust to the situation regardless,” he summed up. “I would prefer having more people in the stands, but we know we have to be concerned about the restrictions, so we have to deal with it.”

Although they are not there, McKay Jr expressed his gratitude to his family, the Marshalls, in the Bahamas, who have been rooting for him and staying in contact with him just about every day.

He said their support, along with his friends, have been an inspiration to him as he takes care of business with Hosanna College. Another Player of the Week honours will certainly push his confidence level higher.