Story & Photos
By Michael Kinney
Millet Steelman looked like a cat ready to pounce. The Choctaw senior was focused on the basketball and anytime it came near the paint, he went into defense mode.
Facing Marlow in the first round of the Mustang Bank 7 Holiday Classic, Steelman unleashed an impressive defensive performance that included eight blocked shots for the Yellowjackets.
Yet, when Steelman was informed of his totals, he was at first stunned at his final tally, then thought he may have gotten shortchanged two blocks during Choctaw’s 65-45 victory at the Mustang Event Center.
“That’s who he is,” Choctaw coach Jermaine Simpson said of Steelman. “He takes pride in that part. It’s taken some time for us to get him to believe in that, but this year as one of our seniors, he’s saying that that’s going to be him.”
The 6-foot-7 Steelman had seven rebounds, six points, two steals, and two assists. Surrounded by a bevy of high-scoring guards such as Jayden Hopkins, Bryce Thompson and Steven Anderson, Steelman’s focus and energy can be directed on his defense and rebounding. But he has shown he can put the ball in the hole when called upon.
But it was Steelman’s defense of the Yellowjackets rim that had the biggest impact on the game.
“It helps our guards, especially because they’re flying around doing all the hard work and they’re making their man drive to me and I trust myself to get the blocks,” Steelman said. “So I think my shot blocking affects everyone else in. Leak out, get up and lay up, stuff like that.”
Steelman said the key to his ascent up the shot-blocking charts is not only his length and athleticism but also a new mindset.
“I feel like I have a good instinct on that kind of stuff. I gave good timing and I’m long and they kept going up around the rim so I can get to the ball,” Steelman said. “I want to see myself play a little bit more aggressive, get every rebound. I want to see myself improve in every other aspect of the game.”
Yet, according to Simpson, it has taken a few seasons for his big man to believe he could affect a contest in that manner.
“We had a very big senior-led class last year and so he just kind of faded into his role,” Simpson said. “This year he’s wanting to be that guy that steps up and kind of leads the way on that end. It took just constantly challenging him and then he started to see college coaches start to take notice of it and so that’s what really kind of motivated him to keep getting stronger with it.”
It didn’t take long for some of those to start throwing offers Steelman’s way. Then earlier this month on Dec. 3 Steelman announced he had committed to Southwestern College in Kansas.
“It was a good community, it was the coaches. It was a good feel,” Steelman said. “I just felt like I could see myself playing there. I want to get there and get playing time, and contribute as much as I can. That’s my goal for myself. I just want to contribute at the college level.”
Choctaw will face Jenks in the semifinals of the Holiday Classic at 5:30 p.m. Friday.
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