Prospect Spotlight: Josh Campbell (2020)
It isn’t easy to build a program from scratch, but for Carmel School Head Coach Toby Campbell, it’s something he’s been used to. He started the program at Chesterfield Community, then started it at Life Christian Academy, and last year he took over the program at Carmel School in Caroline County, a program that had been dormant for over five years.
While it isn’t easy being the coach in that situation, it helps when you have a son that embodies what you want to do as a program and can play as well! Campbell’s son Josh has had a great start to the season for Carmel, who sits at 6-3 on the season with their only losses coming to Trinity Episcopal, Benedictine and Bishop Sullivan.
The 6’3″ guard is not only a top notch shooter and scorer, but he’s also a natural born leader who leads by example with his great work ethic and high motor on the floor. After only have six people on the team last year, Campbell’s excited about possibilities his team has now with a full year to add players and grow.
“Last year, we only had six players and this year we’re looking at like 11 on the team,” Campbell said. “So there’s a lot more team basketball. We have multiple guys that can score in double figures every night, so it’s a lot more team ball.”
Campbell’s hot start is one of the biggest reasons that the Wildcats are competing against some high level talent in the state. Known by many as a big time shooter, the junior does a lot more than just shoot the basketball as he stuffs the stat sheet in a number of ways. He’s averaging 19 points and 10 rebounds per game so far this season, showing he’s much more than just a shooter.
“I try to be the do it all guy,” Campbell said bluntly. “I try to bring the high energy, I’m not as tall as a lot of the players I play against but I find ways to get behind them to rebound. My goal every game is to get to 10 boards, so I try to just do it all.”
While he’s still under the radar, the stellar play of Campbell has helped him get on the radar on a number of colleges at all levels including Campbell, Longwood and Randolph Macon. A high academic kid as well with a 3.6 GPA and an 1180 on the PSAT, Campbell’s hard work and great attitude on and off the court makes him the perfect candidate for a coach to take a chance on.
As far as right now is concerned, the only thing Campbell is focused on is being the best player he can and helping his team as much as he can.
“Individually, I have it posted on my wall that I look at every day, is to at least average 20 points and 12 rebounds per game. As a team, obviously win a state championship, or at least get past the first round where we lost last year.”
Expect the Carmel School program to make some big noise in the next few seasons, and if you get a chance to watch them you won’t be disappointed by the hustle, intensity and flat out skill that Josh Campbell plays with.