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<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For the past three years, Gavin Chadwell has been a thorn in North Laurel\u2019s side, helping eliminate the Jaguars in the 13th Region finals twice, but now, Chadwell will be sporting the white, blue, and green North Laurel jerseys after transferring in October from Knox Central, and then being ruled eligible to play last week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Jaguars were already tagged as favorites to repeat as 13th Region champions, and now with his addition, they\u2019ve become heavy favorites along with a No. 4 state ranking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even though all of that sounds good, Chadwell admitted when he transferred to North Laurel, he worried that it would be too big of a change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut the guys have made me feel at home. I don\u2019t really think of it like I\u2019m at a new place, as I have the same goals here that I would have anywhere,\u201d he said. \u201cI figured that the environment here would be a big change, coming from Knox. I figured North would be a little different. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut as far as the guys go, they\u2019ve done a great job in welcoming me and making me feel at home,\u201d he added. \u201cFrom the first day of practice, Coach (Nate) Valentine and the rest of the coaching staff just slowly incorporated me into the offense, eventually feeling like I\u2019ve been there the whole time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chadwell admitted it\u2019s a different feeling knowing he will be playing with the likes of Reed Sheppard and Ryan Davidson instead of playing against them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPrior to moving here, the Reed and Ryan duo was our biggest problem,\u201d he admitted. \u201cWith a guy like Reed, who is tough all-around, and then Ryan, who is pretty dominant 15-feet in, it was always a challenge. I always loved to play against them though, and it was always competitive \u2014 they wanted to win just as bad as me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd now I\u2019m here with them,\u201d he continued. \u201cCoach still splits us up in our intrasquad scrimmages, and we still compete. All three of us are super competitive, along with many other guys on the team, and I think it makes a big difference.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s a big enough difference that many consider North Laurel as one of the front-runners to win a state title. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKnox lost in the sweet 16 two years ago, North did the same last year, and I think this team we have right now, is one of the better high school teams around,\u201d Chadwell said. \u201cI think we can go as far as we want this year. This team is extremely talented, and it\u2019s hard to say really what we are capable of.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chadwell said North Laurel coaches have been a big help for him making the transition to what type of offense they run. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe coaches have done a great job of helping to work me into the offense, and helping me understand and flow with the rest of the guys,\u201d he said. \u201cI love it here, and love all the guys. It\u2019s truly more than just a basketball team here at North, and it is fun to be out there playing the game we all love. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis team is deep, we\u2019ve got nine to 10 guys who can get minutes for us,\u201d Chadwell added. \u201cI\u2019ve played on some good teams, and this one is up there with them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chadwell was also asked about his future as a football player, if he would suit up for the Jaguars next fall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve not even really thought about it,\u201d he said. \u201cThe football coaching staff has some great guys that I\u2019ve been to church with and even played under. If I choose to play, I know I\u2019d feel at home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With that said, Chadwell said he\u2019s ready for the basketball season to tip-off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n