Three-point shooting is not an easy thing to master for any high-school kid. Many kids think they are three-point shooters, but really, they just try.
In NE Salem, at McKay High School, there are five senior boys that have played together since the sixth grade, Andre Tovar, Ryan Bangs, Israel Garza, Drioji Joel, and Khyler Beach. They were not great three-point shooters coming in as freshmen, especially Andre Tovar who would drive to the basket because he lacked the three-point-shooting skill. Over the years these athletes have developed a chemistry on the basketball court, not only on defense, but also on offense.
Five seniors that have played together since 6th grade. Photo by Javier Gonzales.
Andre Tovar is one of the reasons the Royal Scots have started their season 3 - 0. His three-point shooting has resonated to a different level. Against Lakeridge he had 23 points, against Willamette High School he had 21 points, and against North Salem he had 29 points (his career high). Teams can forget about double-teaming him, because now there's Khyler, Drioji, Israel, and Ryan ... they can also score from behind the arc.
Andre is rare amongst Hispanics, who normally have large families (not to be stereotypical, just honest) and are from the West Coast or the South. Not many people know that Andre is an only child in his family. His dad is Recardo and his mom is Azucena. Another fact, he is from Mount Airy, North Carolina. Andre lived there until he was five-years old, then his family packed up and moved to Oregon -- they drove the entire way. Andre's uncle has a business here in Oregon, West Coast Metal Business. Recardo joined his brother and still works for him.
Andre was inspired by his dad to start playing basketball at an early age. Recardo was a great basketball player during his high school days. Andre's uncles also played basketball, one even tried out for the University of Texas Longhorns -- just falling short of making the team.
"It was crazy, my dad bought me a little hoop and handed me the basketball. He didn't tell me what to do or anything. I just picked up the ball and started shooting at the basket," Andre said.
Andre was raised in the life of lower-income neighborhoods. He was never at a place long enough to make friends. When they arrived in Oregon he attended Weddle Elementary School for one year, then his family moved across town and he enrolled into Auburn Elementary. It was there that he met Drioji Joel, one of the five seniors now. It was a breath of fresh air to have a friend like Drioji.
"It was a rough time for me -- we were always moving. My friends were my parents and my cousins. When I met Drioji at Auburn Elementary, it gave me a self-esteem uplift. We got along well and we could relate to each other playing sports," Andre said.
Andre is a shy kid who is slowly growing into his social atmosphere. He's always smiling and has a positive outlook. It didn't start out that way though. When he enrolled at Waldo Middle School, he fell into a slight depression because of a horrific episode his family went through. His dad had to leave the country for two years to resolve some family issues. They were also struggling financially due to his uncle's business slowing down a bit. They were forced to sell their house after they had worked so hard to buy it. Andre and his mom moved in with his cousins.
"It was tough not having my dad around for two years. It was like a piece of me was removed. I felt really bad for my mom too -- it was sad," Andre said.
At Waldo he met Israel Garza, who was athletic as well. They became friends and joined the Skyball-League along with their teammates, Drioji Joel, Ryan Bangs, Khyler Beach, and Isaac Wayne Arzate, who were attending Stephens Middle School. Andre met these guys that became his friends. They were all sports-minded and loved basketball.
"When my family, at home, was dealing with hard times, those guys made me feel like they were my family away from home. Playing basketball with them kept my mind away from the issues at home," Andre said.
Andre was a three-sport athlete, and sometimes a four-sport athlete. In middle school he played soccer with three different elite-soccer clubs, Atlas FC, Pumas, and Everett's. He played football in middle school and was a star running back. He ran track and field setting two middle-school records, one in the 400 meters and one in the 800 meters.
Though Andre faced many obstacles growing up, there was one that put him in a downhearted feeling emotionally. Andre became friends with Isaac Arzate. Isaac played the post position for the Skyball team. Andre played the same position.
"When I met Isaac we became good friends, I really enjoyed being around him. He was the big guy on our team. I thought to myself, 'I finally met someone that I can hang out with.' We bonded quickly and spent time joking around and having all kinds of fun. We had a lot in common," Andre said.
One day, at basketball practice, Isaac collapsed. He had a heart attack. And then later he recovered a little and continued with baseball. He willed himself fighting back to start playing sports again. It was during baseball that he eventually lost his life.
"When Isaac collapsed in practice, there were a lot of emotions, I was freaked out. I don't really know why these things happen. Our whole team had a difficult time watching our teammate and friend go through this," Andre said.
The team went on to win two Skyball-League Championships, and Andre was part of that journey. And again, his role was mainly driving to the basket because he could not shoot outside very well.
It was time to enter high school, and Andre's family moved to the West Salem area. His mom was having to drive him over the bridge every day for school. It was hard for her. Andre wanted to continue playing sports at West Salem, but he didn't feel like he was good enough to make the football team or the basketball team. He was pretty thin and not very tall, these were only two reasons for his discomfort at the opposite end of town. Another reason was his teammates from Waldo and Stephens Middle Schools. He wanted to be around his friends and teammates from middle school.
"My mom saw that I wasn't happy. It was really my friends that I wanted to play with -- they were my family, and they were attending McKay. I felt I had a good chance to make the team there and play with them," Andre said.
To add to the countless relocations throughout his life, Andre's mom decided to move back to the NE Salem area. This would help her stay away from the West Salem bridge and Andre could be with his friends again.
Coming in as a freshman, Andre had all of his family issues in his mind and was struggling with many things -- he was headed toward a wrong path. His grades started dropping and his GPA was 2.1 all of a sudden.
Andre made the freshman-basketball team along with all of his friends from middle school. He was idling on safe mode and his grades were not important. Something unexpected happened at McKay High School.
"I saw the prettiest girl I had ever seen. She played basketball at the time. I talked to some of my friends about her, because I was really interested on finding out more about her," Andre said.
Gabby Hammack had worked extremely hard her freshman year to maintain her GPA at 4.0. She even attended part of summer school. Gabby started dating Andre shortly after. Andre saw how Gabby was so committed to her education. During summer-league practices, Gabby would go to her math class before and after.
Andre and Gabriella (Gabby). Photo provided by Gabby.
"I cared about basketball, but my grades were still my main priority. I think that small effort I made changed Andre's perspective on how you can love sports and put effort into them, but you're not going to get anywhere if you don't focus on your education as well. The following school year I made an effort to keep him on top of his school work. His parents, Azucena and Recardo, worked harder than he'll ever realize so even he has the opportunity to go to school. As the year went on, I never worried about his grades, because he was always on top of his work," Gabby said.
Andre has brought up his GPA to 3.4! Thanks to Gabby for encouraging him and helping him. She has been a huge impact in his life. Meeting his high-school sweetheart has turned his whole world around for the best. And then to add to his resilient story, his dad had returned to join his family.
"Gabby has helped me in many ways. She's smart and cares deeply about me," Andre said.
His sophomore year, Andre got together with two of his friends, Khyler Beach and Drioji. He knew his shooting form needed work. They all decided to talk to Coach Noza about skill-set training during the summers. At the time coaches could only work with two players at a time. Coach Noza developed Andre's three-point shooting form and arch during that summer.
"Coach Noza pointed out all of the errors in my shooting form. He said I wasn't getting enough arch on my shot and also my form was not correct. So, all summer we worked at improving my shooting form and my arch. By my junior year I started shooting much better. My footwork and ball-handling skills also improved. I was always driving to the basket and I never had enough confidence to shoot the three-ball. Noza helped me get that confidence. I'm thankful to Coach Noza for taking the time and helping me out," Andre said.
Andre hits six technical fouls and one free throw in a row. Photo by Kent Brewer.
Andre works hard anytime he's in the gym. He's found a balance with basketball and school work. He's a fast kid and has become one of the best three-point shooters in the GVC (Greater Valley Conference). His senior year is going to be one to watch.
"Andre is one of our most reliable players in terms of effort and competing. He doesn't back down from anyone. It's been great to see him have success with his shooting early on this season. He has spent a lot of time improving his footwork and shot release," Coach Noza said.
Andre's family is doing better these days, they are planning on buying a house soon. If you attend any of the boys' games, you can see both, Recardo and Azucena, watching their talented son play with the Royal Scots. They don't usually miss any of his games.
Through their hardships, Andre still found time to help his mom feed the homeless at Union Gospel Mission. He also takes time to help out underclassmen that are struggling, whether on the basketball court with plays, or during school. Andre never refuses to smile despite what he might be going through. He likes to stay positive on all aspects of life.
"One thing I can say, is that playing with Drioji, Israel, Ryan, and Khyler has been fun, and I'm so glad that I came to McKay where my friends were. Now we're all still playing together our senior year, that's really special," Andre said.
Wishing Andre and the McKay Royal Scots the best this year. Come out and support their team at McKay High School.
Andre, what's your favorite subject?
Human Anatomy
What are your favorite moments in basketball?
I enjoyed beating West Salem and South Salem last year.
It was awesome winning two Skyball-League Championships in middle school.
I had my career best of 29 points this year against North Salem.
What did it take for you to become the player you are today?
Training in the off-season, running a lot in practice, believing in the system, and trusting my coaches and teammates. It also took me showing up to the workouts with Coach Noza and learning as much as I could from him. Learning the plays well and executing them wholeheartedly.
What advice can you give young athletes?
Put in the work on your own time. The more work you put in the more results you'll see. Whatever the system is for you, buy into it and follow that path.