Now that we’ve reached the point in the high school season when things begin to shift. Despite all the preseason competition, holiday showcases, and subplots throughout, this time is arguably as exciting as any period in the year. Each game has playoff implications. All kinks should be figured out, and teams should be hitting their stride. However, this is also the stretch when young prospects really begin to emerge and separate themselves from their peers. Given the way he’s led Harding University, it’s impossible to ignore everything Dante Caviness is doing this season. Let’s take a closer look…
It’s fair to say this has been somewhat of an up-and-down year for the Rams, especially after an early injury to a key young prospect, but they’ve largely taken care of business against beatable opponents. However, this certainly isn’t the first time we’ve seen a freshman carry a sizable load for this group, as we watched it unfold last season as well. Whether by design or not, this team needs the production of Caviness to be successful. In his five single-digit scoring performances, the team has gone 1-4. So, when he’s able to set the tone, everything else seems to fall in place. This season, Caviness is averaging 11.1 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 4.8 APG, and 2.6 SPG while shooting a strong 39% from beyond the arc.
He currently ranks first in assists and T-12 in steals among all freshmen in North Carolina. Caviness is a smart, quick, heady floor general who displays terrific balance between scoring and playmaking. He’s a crafty ball-handler who is able to reliably break down opponents off the bounce, process quickly, and make passes with either hand. Caviness is a nice finisher, especially for his size, and forces opponents to respect the threat of his shooting at all times. In addition to his offensive savvy, he’s already a pesky defender with sharp instincts and anticipation. Caviness does a great job of keeping opposing guards in front, and will only continue to cause problems for others as his body matures. Although the numbers speak volumes, Caviness will definitely be one to monitor closely over the foreseeable future.