Prospect Spotlight: Tannar Lewis (2018)
Tanner Lewis is beginning his senior season at Dayton High School and he has high expectations for his team in his senior year. He’s starting the year with an average of 23.6 ppg, 7 rebs and 3asts and 3 steals.
After winning a state championship his freshman and junior years he believes his team is capable of winning it all again this year and it would be the perfect ending to his high school career. As much as he wants another state championship he believes that it’s important that the mindset is not another state championship but just winning one game at a time.
Tanner finished his season last year with not only a state championship with his team but was awarded first team all-state tournament, second team all-state and Moda player of the game at the state playoffs.
Dayton Varsity assistant coach Randy Freeborn says of Lewis, “I believe Tanner’s strengths will be his absolute Love of the Game. Ability to concentrate and stay in the moment on the court. His rebounding skills have improved 100%. The best defender on our team must defend the opponent’s best player. He has great instincts on the offensive and defensive end of the Court. Tanner has taken the lead in helping his teammates become better players and has taken the reins to become a quiet leader on and off the court “
Lewis plays basketball year-round. His high school coach had him player/coach his fall team to focus on leadership and quick decision-making skills while working on his game to prepare for the high school season. Lewis spends hours in a private gym near his house every day working on fundamentals and tries to get a few hundred shots up per day to add to his team practices. Tanner also plays varsity soccer to build his endurance and strength for basketball.
Lewis has played spring ball the last few years for Team Jones and previous to that built his skills at The Hoop Salem and with Maeko. Coach Benjie Hedgecock of Team Jones Oregon says “Tanner has worked his tail off becoming a leader and making the most of each play. Tanner can play both inside and outside at both ends making him a uniquely flexbile player. His strength is being whatever his team needs”.
When Dayton head varsity coach Ron Hop was asked for Lewis’ strengths he said “he’s a good shooter, solid ball-handler and great penetrator. Tanner has a really good work ethic and works hard in practice. What separates him from other players is doing what is necessary to win. I can count on him to defend the best player or get points on the boards. Whatever is needed!”
Tanner’s work ethic is the driving force behind his continued improvement. Basketball has always been one of his main priorities. He can be found in a gym playing basketball somewhere every weekend and most week nights year-round. He wants to continue playing basketball in to college and is looking forward to seeing where his first love takes him.