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Mechanicsburg senior feels sense of urgency

Callicoat back on court after a broken wrist cut last season short.

Mechanicsburg's Cody Callicoat battles for a rebound against Greeneview last season. The Indians host the defending Ohio Heritage Conference champion Rams tonight. Contributed photo by Randy Hilt

Randy Hilt Mechanicsburg's Cody Callicoat battles for a rebound against Greeneview last season. The Indians host the defending Ohio Heritage Conference champion Rams tonight. Contributed photo by Randy Hilt

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By Michael Cooper, Staff Writer 11:19 PM Monday, December 12, 2011

MECHANICSBURG — After missing half of last season with a broken right wrist, Mechanicsburg High School senior Cody Callicoat is making up for lost time.

“I wanted to play so bad (last season),” said Callicoat, a 6-foot-5 forward. “I had to sit on the bench and watch them go through everything. If they were losing, it’s tough because I couldn’t go out there and help them. I just had to cheer them on.”

This season, Callicoat is averaging 19 points and 5 rebounds for the Indians, who’ve won two in a row after starting the season 0-2.

“He had to sit and watch a whole season, so he got that sense of urgency that he’s only got so much time left,” said Indians coach Paul Hershberger Jr.

Callicoat, a left-hander, is shooting 55.6 percent (30-for-54) from the field and 44.4 percent from the 3-point line (8-for-18). He’s also playing with a splint on his right hand after tearing ligaments in his thumb.

Hershberger said Callicoat has a shooter’s mindset and does a great job preparing to shoot the basketball. Callicoat gave all the credit to his team.

“It’s pretty much all coming from my teammates,” Callicoat said. “They’re the ones giving me the ball.”

Callicoat has teamed with sophomore Brandon Purk, who moved into the district from Graham this fall. Purk, who is also Hershberger’s nephew, is averaging 16.2 points, 3.0 assists and 2.5 steals.

“He’s got basketball instincts, and defensively has a nose for the ball,” Hershberger’s said.

The Indians (2-2, 1-0 Ohio Heritage Conference) lost back-to-back games to Botkins and Benjamin Logan to open the season, but beat Emmanuel Christian and West Liberty-Salem to move back to .500.

“The boys bounced back very well,” Hershberger said. “They kept their mental focus and had a very positive outlook. They kept their eyes on the prize.”

They needed double overtime to beat the rival Tigers, 55-54, last Friday in front of a packed house.

“It was so loud I could barely hear myself talk,” Hershberger said.

The Indians face another big task tonight when defending OHC champion Greeneview (1-1, 1-0 OHC) travels to Mechanicsburg.

“It’s going to take an equal amount of effort that it took to beat West Liberty, but better execution,” Hershberger said.

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