(This is an archive story, please refer to the byline for journalist’s name)
By Kevin Walker
Devin Avent is a name that many people in the Brewer community, high school community, and even basketball community know; Devin Avent is a name heard very often in and outside the halls, of Brewer high and rightfully so.
Avent has accomplished many feats in his three years of being under Porostovsky. Being on last year's near state championship-winning team, Avent has been around and seen talent for a long time. With the loss of some players including David Woosley, Cortland Blake, and Aaron Lelek; the team was definitely different but still ready to thrive.
“Yes this team is different but so was every other team I’ve been on but I love my guys I’ll do anything for them,” said Avent, “They depend on me, but I also depend on them; they depend on me to lead and teach them, I depend on them to work hard because at the end of the day we’re all working towards the same goal.”
First making the team in his Sophomore year, Avent had been putting up eye-catching stats. Being the second-leading scorer on the team, he scored 299 points and established his role of importance on the team.
“Just knowing that someone else is out there working and getting better makes me wanna keep working, but mostly just my love for the game,” Avent said. “I’ve been playing since I was three; I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for basketball.”
In his second year, Avent had caught an illness and missed 10 games. Even though he missed so many games, he still managed to almost match his 299 points from his Sophomore year, Scoring 296 points and being second in steals. After one of the best runs that Brewer has ever seen, the 2018-2019 season came to an end after a 47-43 loss to Northwest in the Regional Quarterfinals. The team finished 29-5 and 14-1 in the district.
“I will definitely miss Devin after this year.” Porostovsky said, “Very rarely do you get to coach a kid with his work ethic and dedication to becoming the best player he can be.”
In second place, the 2019-2020 Bears basketball team is looking strong. Led by Porostovsky and his other staff of coaches, the team is 21-8 overall and 9-3 in district. With 2 games left, the Bears are trying to clinch the highest seed [place] entering the playoffs.
Avent has a total of 413 points so far this season only to be led by Trey (Curtis) Moffett with 426 points. Avent also has 4 double-doubles [Double digit stats in two different stat columns] and leads the team in assists, rebounds, and steals.
“Devin is called on to do many things for this year’s team,” Porostovsky said. “He normally guards the other team’s best player, runs the offense and gets his teammates involved. He gets rebounds and leads the break, and leads vocally as well.”
Hopefully, by the end of his Senior season, Devin can be labeled not only as an All-star but as Champion as well.