(Pictured: Silky smooth point guard Jeff Cummings lets the play develop against cross-town rivals Stelly's during league play.)
Player Spotlight: Jeff Cumming
When you think of the top point guards in BC you have to list players such as Alex Murphy, Ryan Murray, and Ty Nurse among others, but a player who is making a name for himself is Oak Bay’s Jeff Cummings. The silky smooth Lefty from the island was recently named as a 1st team all-star while leading his squad to their 2nd straight Island championship. Jeff has averaged an impressive 21 ppg, 11 apg and 7 rpg this season as well as being named to the 1st team all star at the M.E.I Eagles Holiday Classic, 1st team all star at Pitt Meadows Air Show, Wellington Superball MVP and a league and city all star.
Watching Jeff play you can see the rhythm and fluidness that he brings to the point guard position. After playing for the Victoria Prep Select Team this past summer Jeff has stirred the interest of several Division 2 schools to go along with interest from most BCCAA programs as well. With his ability to penetrate at will into the hearts of the defense and pull up to hit the 3, makes him a nightmare for opposing coaches. All-star shooting guard Eliot Rushton praises his fellow backcourt member. “Personally, I think Jeff is the most underrated player in the province. I've seen him take over games this year where people can't believe he wasn't on the U17 Provincial Team. He came out this year with something to prove, and he has definitely proven that he's one of the elite guards in the province. He has the deepest range I've seen in high school. One time this year, he got called for a back-court violation while shooting a three point fade away. In my opinion what separates him from other players is his work ethic, he's always looking for a part of his game to improve” Rushton says enthusiastically. “Where ever he ends up playing next year, they'll be lucky to have a player of his caliber.'' Jeff’s major influence on his game came from one of the true coaching legends, past UVIC bench boss Guy Vetrie. “The biggest influence on my basketball career has been Coach Vetrie. Before he passed away he took interest in my game, gave me good advice and told me he expected big things from me and big things he can expect.”
This season Oak Bay has emerged as one of the top teams in the Province earning a 5th seed at the upcoming AAA provincials. Jeff and his Oak Bay teammates are focused on bringing home a championship. “Our team goals this year were to win the league, win the cities, win the islands, and qualify for BC's. We won the league, got second in cities and captured the island Championships. Winning the Islands should set us up with a good birth at the Provincials and from there, who knows what could happen.” Even though he’s developed into this premier talent he hasn’t been playing basketball for all that long. “It wasn't till that grade9/10 summer I started to really work on my game. After the season I'd would like to carry on playing ball at the university/college level and eventually play pro in Europe.” Who knows the future of this extremely talented guard, right now he’s focused on winning that championship and nothing else. After loosing to Handsworth by only one earlier on in the season and beating teams like Claremont and Brookswood who knows, anything can happen at the dome and especially when you have a team that no one is talking about.
DRIVE would like to wish Jeff and his Oak Bay teammates the best of luck with the rest of their season.
.: For past DRIVE article's click here.
