This Young House: Sophomore guard hopes to lead 'Hounds to a Region VI championship

Saturday, March 8, 2014
Fort Scott sophomore Kevin House (5) takes a shot over a Brown Mackie defender during a February 15 game at Arnold Arena. House, who leads Region VI Division II players in assists, and the Greyhounds face Brown Mackie in the region championship game at 3 p.m. today at Wichita State University. (Tribune file photo)

Fort Scott Community College sophomore point guard Kevin House is a one-man press breaker. The ultra-quick sophomore out of Oklahoma City, Okla., has lead his team to the brink of playing in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament March 18-22 in Danville, Ill. House's game-changing speed on the basketball court has been on full display this year, as he has averaged 16.7 points a game, more than doubling his scoring average from a season ago.

"It feels great to get this far," House said. "We (were) at the bottom at the beginning of the year, and we just changed everything around, proving people wrong."

The Greyhounds (13-16) play top seed Brown Mackie (20-11) at 3 p.m. today in Wichita for the Region VI Division II championship. The winner of that game advances to the national tournament.

House, a 2012 graduate of Putnam City West High School in Oklahoma City, said numerous schools showed interest in him during his high school days.

"I had low-major (Division I interest) coming out of high school, I had Division II's -- but my ACT score, I messed up on that, so I had to come here," he said."

House's dynamite play this year has peaked the interest of more schools, as House looks to continue his playing career after this season. House said right now he is being actively recruited by Washburn, Pittsburg State and Grand Valley State (Mich), all Division II schools.

"I'll probably take visits to Washburn and Pittsburg (State) University," House said.

When asked to describe his style of play, House said "Fast-temp; I like to get out and run and look for others."

House can attack from the perimeter in the half court set, as well as hurt defenses while in transition with his baseline-to-baseline speed. This attacking style has allowed House to rack up points via the charity stripe throughout the season.

House said he has grown as basketball player since arriving at FSCC, as he credited Greyhound head coach Michael Cook.

"He's helped me mature," House said. "He's helped me on both sides of the floor, he's helped me to be a leader, and to keep a positive attitude at all times. He's a great man."

Cook said House's play has been consistent since he arrived on campus.

"He's been steady for two years if anything. We just really ask him to score more now," Cook said of the 5' 10" guard. "Kevin is more of an action-type of leader. He doesn't have to say much. He just leads by his game. He's aggressive in the team concept. Some people can be aggressive in looking to score, but he's aggressive in leading us."

According to Cook, House is one the top players he has coached during his six-year run at FSCC. Cook said House will likely become the school's career assist leader, needing only four more assists to achieve the mark. House is averaging nearly 7 assists per game on the year.

"He's one of the best," Cook said. "I think the thing he does well is he adapts to what we ask him to do. Right now he's one of the top two (players) I've had. (Former Greyhound) Brandon Dougherty was one of the best and I think Kevin is right there with him."

Off of the basketball court, Cook characterized House, who is a team co-captain, as being invaluable to teammates.

"He's going to be one of the best young men I've known," Cook said. "He keeps us on our feet by cracking jokes. But he's also the type of kid who will do anything for you. When he leaves here he will be missed. He will go on and do great things. And after four years, I know he will be in the Hall of Fame here.

"He's just a great kid who wants to win. And if you asked him if he would rather score or pass, he would say 'pass.' He doesn't care about stats he just cares about winning. And right now, he's on Cloud Nine because we're playing in the finals."

Cook said he has known House since he was in junior high. House was coached by Cook's cousin Rod Kindred, while playing for OKC Primetime, an AAU basketball team from Oklahoma.

"People thought maybe his height was a problem (while being recruited), but he's proven people wrong now," Cook said. "He's an all-around player, it's his heart you need to measure. Because you're not going to outplay him and you're not going to outcompete him."

House said his favorite NBA team is the Oklahoma City Thunder, and his favorite player is Thunder superstar guard Russell Westbrook.

House said he eventually wants to major in sports marketing. And that his main hobbies right now are, "shop, sleep, eat and basketball."