Creative Point Guard Leads King Men To AAC Victory
Kyle Savely has all the essentials for the prototypical point guard.The 5-foot-11 junior guard from Corydon, Ind., can pass, create, shoot and direct. Most importantly, Savely knows how to win.
BRISTOL, Tenn. – Kyle Savely has all the essentials for the prototypical point guard.
The 5-foot-11 junior guard from Corydon, Ind., can pass, create, shoot and direct. Most importantly, Savely knows how to win.
Savely displayed all his skills Saturday as the King College Tornado stopped the University of Virginia’s College at Wise by a 104-79 margin.
“When Kyle is on the floor, you’ve got to have your head on a swivel,” King junior J.T. Blair said.
Savely, who leads King with 17 points per game, gained the attention of teammates, defenders and fans Saturday with 33 points, 10 assists and three steals. He tops the Appalachian Athletic Conference with an average of 5.93 assists.
“I really feel at home here at King,” Savely said.
“Coach (George Pitts) is letting me play my game and helping me develop.”
Savely followed a circuitous path to Bristol. After averaging 27 points and earning all-state honors in high school, he earned national recruiting attention playing for famed coach Fletcher Aritt at Fork Union Military Academy in central Virginia.
He arrived at King after stops at IUFW (Indiana University Fort Wayne) and IUPUI (Indiana University at Purdue). Former Indiana University basketball player Dane Fife is the coach at IUFW.
Savely credited his experience playing backyard and playground ball for his array of skills.
“It was non-stop pickup ball over the summer,” said Savely, who lived just across the border from Louisville, Ky. “Sometimes people think that brand of basketball is bad, but it’s where you can develop a lot of instincts and ballhandling.”
With Savely directing the offense with flair, King shot a torrid 76 percent from the field in the first half Saturday.
Virginia-Wise Lee Clark paid credit to the versatlile King floor leader.
“[Savely) is quick and under control, and it seemed like his up his game tonight,” Clark said.
A special visitor (his father, Leroy) added motiviation for Savely Saturday.
“Dad made the over five-hour drive down here for the first time to see me play,” Savely said. “I always feel more comfortable with dad around. He’s almost 50, and he’s always telling me we have to play ball everytime I come him.”
King (11-5, 4-2) entered the day trailing only Bluefield College (5-0) and Tennessee Wesleyan (4-1) in the AAC standings.
Sophomore guard Mark Dockery (14 points) and 6-7 senior post Ben Bosse (12 points) benefitted from the creativity of Savely.
“Kyle has given us a big lift,” Blair said. “He pushed our offense, sees the floor really well and just makes all his teammates better.”
Virginia-Wise (1-13, 0-6) was coming off an 89-86 double overtime loss at home to Tennessee Wesleyan. The Cavaliers shot 51 percent Saturday, but were hampered by 24 turnovers.
Kevin Perry, a quick 6-5 sophomore from Virginia Beach, led the Virginia-Wise effort with 23 points.
“We’ve started to put the effort out there the last three games and our chemistry is coming together some,” Clark said.
Savely, who is equally dangerous with either hand, has already mastered chemistry.
“Things are working out well here,” Savely said. “My coach pushes me and my teammates are great to work with. I’m having fun.”
agregory@bristolnews.com|(276) 645-2544
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