Davis' turn to shine at Estancia

Rashad Davis used to show up to basketball practice at Estancia High in the spring of his sophomore year just to watch the boys' team.

Davis had just transferred to the school from Roosevelt of Corona, where he missed his sophomore season. It seemed he wasn't interested in playing at his new school.

"He was telling us that he was going to come out," said Estancia Coach Agustin Heredia, who found it hard to buy that Davis wanted to join the program.

While the Eagles ran drills two years ago, Davis, in street clothes, sat up against the gym's bleachers and just followed the action.

Heredia was surprised that a 6-foot-4 kid like Davis wasn't out there running around with the rest of his players.

"We don't grow kids that size," Heredia joked.

Davis just sat around, wondering what it would be like to be a part of the Eagles. He asked himself questions like, "Will I fit in? Will the coach like me?"

Then he questioned if he could handle the workouts.

"I'm out of shape," Davis said. "I got to do something to get back in shape."

Davis had to first shape up in the classroom.

The real reason why Davis wasn't with the Eagles that spring and in the summer before his junior season was grades.

Rausheda Hickman didn't allow Davis, her son, to play any sport. That says a lot because Davis' mother starred on the court at Grant Rapid Ottawa Hills High in Michigan. Davis said his mother led her program to a state title before going on to play at Oregon State and Florida.

"She wanted me to just focus on school," said Davis, whose basketball schedule as a freshman at Roosevelt affected his schoolwork. "I told [Heredia] I had to … check with my mom to make sure my mom and I were on the same page.

"She said as long as I keep my grades up, then I can play. I did what I had to do. I put school first. It really got me going. I got all the help that I could get."

Davis needed all the help in basketball when he came out for the team last season.

Heredia's glad Davis was willing to get better.

As a 6-6 junior, Davis was tall enough to excel, but he was like a raw thin steak.

"He had a hard time doing basic fundamental things," Heredia said. "He had a growth spurt and he didn't catch up … with the moving and coordination."

Getting comfortable in his own shoes took time, one season, and a lot of hard work.

All of it has paid off as Davis has turned into one of the best big men in the area in his senior year.