LAW & (BASKETBALL) COURTS: Former BHS athlete takes aim on academics and hoops at SNU

Kent Girard approaches life the same way he plays on the basketball court — willing to risk and to adapt, with total focus and intensity and an awareness of the situation around him and where he fits into it.

It’s those mindsets that helped him make a successful transition from the gritty environment of homeschool hoops competition to the powerful provocation of Class 6A hardwood wars.

Next up, the Bartlesville High School graduate is ready to test his mettle on the college level, having committed to Southern Nazarene University.

But, college ball will only be an extension of Girard desire to express his athletic gifts and joy of competing in a physical realm.

Senior Spotlight: Bartlesville's Kent Girard focuses on helping team, success

The more important prize for him will be beginning the path toward becoming a lawyer and impacting society in a positive way.

Prior to this past basketball season, few Bartlesville High Bruin fans knew relatively little about Girard other than as a star for the Washington County HomeSchool Association (WACHA) boys team.

But, Girard decided to enroll as a senior at Bartlesville High and play Bruin hoops.

His impact reaching a towering proportion.

The 6-foot-3 hybrid talent averaged 12.4 points, pulled down nearly double-digit rebounds per game and challenged for the team record in charges absorbed.

Along with several other veterans, Girard helped boost the Bruins to their first winning record (12-11) since 2014-15.

But, it had been a risk — he had only one season to prove whether he could succeed on a big school level.

“Id say for sure it taught me a level of physicality,” Girard said. “The whole point was if I could go and compete strength-wise on that level. It taught me a lot of intangible skills, especially mental toughness.”

Along with his clothes, toothbrush and extra shoes, Girard will pack those assets to take with him to compete in the college athletic and academic spheres.

Among the factors that convinced Girard SNU would be the best fit was the opportunity to get the degree (pre-law) he desires at a good Christian school, to play Division II basketball, and to remain within a relatively short distance from home.

Girard said he could have attended a state school to obtain his degree, but that he felt he had a better chance in basketball of playing on Division II level.

SNU head basketball coach Adam Bohac envisions him to probably play as a large shooting guard or a shorter small forward/swing player.

“He hopes I can guard three positions,” Girard said. “That would give me more playing time.”

Girard also wants to sharpen his ballhandling and passing skills, which he didn’t use a lot of with the Bartlesville Bruins. He mainly played a small or power forward position with Bartlesville, as well as a perimeter threat on the three-point shot.

Even though he’s looking forward to  testing his talents and skills on the college level, Girard expects to be challenged in managing his time between the quest for a difficult degree and playing for the school team.

He looks forward to the opportunity to do both.

“It’s challenging for sure,” Girard said. “I know it’s not easy, managing your time and somehow working your way into the starting lineup and getting some good minutes.”

Girard takes just as seriously his chase for a law degree.

“I’ve been more of a justice-driving individual,” since his boyhood days, Girard said. “That’s the basis from I started from.”

He credits the mandated home school courses of debate and current events for helping revive his yearning for justice within the boundaries of the law.

His objective is to branch off into constitutional law.

"I want to preserve what little Christian principles we have in our country, Girard said,” adding he feels a sense of calling.

Girard also wants to encourage basketball players who want to play on the college level to stick with it.

“You can play at some level of college,” he said. “There are a lot of colleges out there. You can go play somewhere.”

He used himself as an example of someone that didn’t play AAU basketball or who didn’t attend expensive camps and yet has earned an opportunity to play on the next level.

As far as his time at Bartlesville High, Girard expressed appreciation for the acceptance of the fans and said he hopes he gave back in the terms of being entertaining to watch.

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Focus on college choice by Kent Girard