Maryville center Elmo Gara reaches for a loose ball during a late-December game against Anderson County. (Photo by Danny Parker)
BY MIKE BLACKERBY
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Eric Dickerson and Michael Phelps all made wearing goggles cool.
Add one more.
Maryville basketball player Elmo Gara.
But like his much more famous counterparts and their trademark choice of protective eye wear, Gara is showing in his senior year that there’s substance behind those goggles.
That wasn’t always the case.
The Rebels’ imposing 6-foot-8, 240-pound senior was once known exclusively for his striking look.
You know, the contrast of a towering and somewhat gangly and bespectacled big man coming off the bench on a team made up mostly of 6-foot sharpshooters who camp out along the 3-point line and toss daggers.
But this season there has been a transformation, as Gara, Maryville’s only true post player, is making a name for himself with his game.
Elmo Gara goes up for a score against Anderson County. (Photo by Danny Parker)
Sure, the striking eye wear is still part of his aura, but Gara has developed into a key cog for Maryville (21-1, 11-0 District 4-AAA), which heads into Friday’s game riding a 17-game winning streak.
The Rebels are the top-ranked area team by 5Star Preps and are No. 2 in the state in the Associated Press poll.
“The impact he’s making is huge and (Gara) is one of the reasons we’re sitting where we’re at,” said Rebels coach Mark Eldridge.
When he comes off the bench, Gara makes the most of his “14 to 16” minutes of play a game, according to Eldridge.
Gara averages about five points and six rebounds a game.
But perhaps most importantly, he is closing in on 100 blocks for the season and averages about four rejections per game.
“He dominates around the rim,” offered Eldridge.
“He has forced me to play more zone, which makes us a better team. It allows our guards to cheat out.”
Gara said his metamorphosis can be traced to last offseason where he went to work on his game and changed some bad habits and his body.
“I was really big as a sophomore, maybe 6-5 and 265,” said Gara.
“The whole summer before this season I was in the gym more and started working out and running more,” he said.
Gara also dumped some bad eating habits and cut down on things like sugary drinks and bread.
“He always struggled with his conditioning,” said Eldridge. “About a year-and-a-half ago he started hitting the weight room and completely changed his make-up.”
Gara not only looks fitter, he plays with more zeal and energy.
“I feel better getting up the court and I feel stronger,” said Gara.
“I feel like I can score, go for the offensive rebound and protect the rim a little. I feel like I can play with anybody.”
Gara has upped his game so much that he is drawing some interest from colleges.
“I have a couple of schools looking at me,” he said.
Of course one thing about Gara hasn’t changed.
He still sports the goggles, which he originally picked over wearing contacts.
And of course there are still the mostly good-natured jabs by opposing student sections.
Gara just takes it in stride.
“It’s funny when student sections say things to me, but I like it.”