Rugged, versatile senior gives Spiders a boost

Reid Aube has come a long way since he first wore a Concord High basketball uniform.

Spider coach Scott Brewer credits the senior’s dedication to the sport for his improvement.

“I’m as proud of him as any kid that I’ve coached,” Brewer said. “Most people, when he was in ninth grade, didn’t think he would ever be a varsity player, and he’s turned out to be a two-year starter.”

Aube admits that he’s in much better shape today than he was as a junior varsity player his first two years at Concord.

Brewer recalled how Aube could barely run the mile during tryouts his sophomore year.

“He had to stop and walk,” said Brewer. “This year, he’s leading the pack.”

Aube started taking conditioning seriously after becoming good friends with former Concord star Kendall Knorr, now a freshman guard at Navy. Going to the gym to shoot, lift and run helped Aube become a key part of the fast-paced Spider offense last season, when he averaged eight points a game.

With another year of work at the gym behind him, along with more experience and fewer nerves, Aube hopes to have his best year yet.

“I’m a senior, so I have to be a leader,” the 17-year-old said.

Aube thinks his main roles for Concord are to rebound and play defense.

“We have plenty of guys who can score,” he said. “I don’t really worry about that. ... I get my points in the flow of the game.”

Through Concord’s 7-0 start, Aube was third on the team in scoring with 13 points per game and also led Concord in rebounding and blocking.

Aube stands out because of his aggressiveness.

“He looks like a nice, sweet kid,” said Brewer. “But he’s a rugged player. He’s tough.”

The coach added that Aube’s versatility, being able to play everything from shooting guard to center, also helps the team.

“He really understands the screen-and-roll game,” said Brewer. “He can pick and pop, he can shoot the 3, he can score around the basket. He’s a hard match-up.”

Aube, who is receiving attention from Division II and III schools, has benefitted from the attention opposing teams put on the Spiders’ top scorers, junior Connor Burchfield (22 points per game) and senior Darren Black (17 points).

“They’re the main focus, so it helps me get open,” Aube said. “Those guys are really good. It’s a big help.”

Having started alongside Burchfield and Black last year is also paying off for Aube.

“He plays off those guys well,” said Brewer. “Those three guys have chemistry going.”

Concord has benefitted from the trio’s return, as well as that of Jerry Burk and Graham Pruette, but it also has many new faces on the roster.

In addition to moving up Logan Sedergren, Brian Phifer and Ben Twigger from last year’s junior varsity squad, the Spiders add Gregory Childress, Mario Dowell and Keenan Black to the team.

Childress is new to the program, but also brings experience. The junior guard played varsity basketball at Albemarle before arriving at Concord.

Dowell, a senior transfer from New Bern, has also been a pleasant surprise since joining the program, said Brewer. Keenan Black, a freshman and Darren’s cousin, has also shown potential.

Despite the team’s strong start, Brewer said the team has a long way to go.

“We haven’t gelled yet in our system,” he said. “We have the chance to be really good when the chemistry clicks in.”

The main reason for that was having four players, Keenan Black, Burk, Pruette and Sedergren, joined the team late after the Spiders’ football team reached the 3A state championship game. The late-comers brought energy and toughness from the football field, but they were still getting into basketball shape heading into last week’s Moody Holiday Invitational in Rock Hill.

“We’re kind of behind,” said Aube. “But we’ll get to where we need to be eventually.”

The 6-foot-4, 205-pounder, who was forced to stay away from the court for seven weeks due to a torn ligament in his right foot, added that he’s still trying to catch up too.

Aube said Brewer has emphasized finding ways to win games early this season. That will come in handy if Concord is to accomplish its lofty goals, which include winning another South Piedmont Conference title and competing for a state championship.

“It’s not always going to be pretty,” said Aube. “But you have to win them ugly sometimes. A win is a win.”