WS Chronicle

Nowadays it is not rare to see a freshman playing on the varsity level of a particular sport.  Camian Shell of Parkland High School not only was a member of the varsity football and basketball teams, he was the starting point guard and quarterback.

It is tough enough for an upper classmen to accomplish both of these feats, so for a freshman to start for both teams and excel against players as much as four years his elder is quite the feat. 

While he is a more than capable quarterback on the football field, basketball is where Shell really plays well beyond his years.  Since the age of 3, the game of basketball has been his love.

“Coming into high school I was kind of scared because I didn’t know where I was going to play and I wound up being varsity,” Shell said. 

“My freshman year has been great so far,” he continued.  “I was the starting quarterback on varsity and the starting guard on varsity and we made the playoffs in both sports, so that is a great accomplishment for me.”

Shell says between the two sports he prefers playing basketball.  He says it was a good experience playing varsity football at such a young age.  He feels he could have played better at the quarterback position but overall was happy with his performance throughout the year.

It would be natural for someone to become cocky when they have achieved such early success, but not Shell.  He is very aware of his shortcomings on the court and is willing to put in the work to get better. 

“I am just humble and I just say thank you and keep it going by working and going to the gym,” said Shell about the high praise he has received.

Cory Baker, Parkland varsity assistant coach, says he has known Shell since his days at Flat Rock Middle School and knew he had the potential to be great.

“He is a very hard working and smart student and has everything that it takes to continue to improve,” Baker says.  “I’m sure he will go on to play at the college level, whether it be football or basketball.”

At the beginning of the year Baker says he knew what Shell could bring but did not know he would have the impact he has had on the team. 

“He just brings something different every night whether it’s offense or defense,” Baker continued.  “He really has it all and I definitely think he can play Division I basketball.”

Shell has also impressed Parkland varsity head coach Travis Holcomb-Feye.  He says he was able to see Shell’s potential while playing on the AAU circuit last year. 

“He is a very high IQ basketball player with quick hands and deceptive speed,” said Holcomb-Feye.  “He has been awesome for us this year. I knew he was going to be good but not sure he was going to be this good.”

“We play in one of the toughest 3A conferences in the state with Smith, Dudley, Southwest Guilford and Mount Tabor and he averaged over 19 points, four assists and four steals during conference play,” he continued.  “He went head to head with some of the best in the state and out played them every time.”

According to Holcomb-Feye, Shell is a “sure fire D1 point guard.”  He says Shell is already one of the best players in the city as a freshman. As a former Divison I player, Holcomb-Feye says Shell is “better than I ever was.”

“They don’t come around like him very often,” he went on to say.  “I have been coaching in this city for 12 years and he is the best point guard I have ever coached.”

Not to be outdone in the classroom, Shell carries a 3.4 grade point average at Parkland.  He loves math and would love to attend Duke University because of their excellent basketball and educational standards.