BELLEVUE, Neb. (WOWT) – Keaton Melcher’s scouting report highlights one clear strength: shooting. But the Bellevue West sophomore is expanding his game beyond the three-point line this season.
“Last year, my role was really just shooting and semi-defense, but really just shooting out there,” Melcher said. “This year I’ve really just tried to step up in the role of not just shooting, but creating for other teammates and playing better defense and rebounding on the defensive end.”
Thunderbirds coach Steve Klein said Melcher’s development has been noticeable.
“He’s not just a shooting guard. He can do some things off the dribble, he can rebound the ball a little bit, he can guard a little bit,” Klein said. “He shoots the ball very well, it’s just the thing we really worked hard on this summer was getting his off-the-dribble game and being able to do more than just shoot the basketball. I think he’s kind of proven that over the first couple of games of this season.”
Melcher’s improved all-around play has helped Bellevue West get off to a strong start. The Thunderbirds won the A/B Shootout title earlier in December with victories over Papillion-La Vista, Westside and Gretna East to improve to 4-1.
“When you walk on that court you’ve just got to think that you’re the best and have that swagger knowing you’re the best,” Melcher said.
Melcher scored 17 points in the championship win over the Griffins.
“I think we’ve proved that we can beat any team in the state,” Melcher said. “Nobody really thought that we would even be coming this far at the beginning of the season, so we’re already opening up everybody’s eyes.”
Klein said the team’s fast-paced style suits his guards, and team overall, well.
“We play really fast and we’ve got really, really good guards that can do some things off the dribble, can shoot it and can be kind of a matchup nightmare in their own right,” Klein said.
The season started with drama for Melcher, who hit a buzzer-beater in the opener against Norris to win 76-73.
“It was a surreal feeling to go 1-0, obviously, but the atmosphere there was crazy and it just felt amazing,” Melcher said.
Klein said that road win provided an early confidence boost.
“To go on the road, first game of the year, and hit a big shot and execute like we wanted to at the end of the game was a big deal,” Klein said. “I think it was a confidence boost for these guys.”
The Thunderbirds hope to maintain their momentum through the remainder of the season.
“State championship, that’s what we said ever since day one,” Melcher said. “Got a lot more to go on, but I think a state championship.”
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