Media ON Point / Coach Graves / Uncle Graves / Mentor Graves / Mr. Graves / Messages to the Seniors
- Feb 9
- 8 min read
Updated: Feb 12
Media ON Point played a big part in the class of 2026 lives both on and off the court
Class of 2026 from left to right
Brennan Adkins, Drew Chaffin, Dawson Taylor, Cole Brewer, Owen Graves, Levi Crouso, Ben Coil.
Brennan Adkins
it's been a heck of a ride man. You and Owen together intimidated most of the girls because they knew they couldn't compete with your bond. I mean, all stud varsity players cuddle and watch the Notebook together right?
I'm half joking, but seriously you guys have been the best of buddies and somehow you even convinced Owen to possibly go to Ohio State which I'm not mad about because it's what all the locals do and it's way cheaper. Now if you get him wearing jerseys and chanting "O-H" we might have a problem.
You guys are all older and cooler now but I still look at you and see you and Owen making dumpster fires:
Groups won't let me post images so you'll have to copy it...
You went from being this undersized half-hitch Larry Bird flame thrower young kid to sa lethal shooter who is calm and cool like your idol Shai. I have a million pictures and videos of you guys doing "interesting" stuff like you sitting on a teeter-totter while Owen jumps on the other side and risking your next generation just for a few laughs.
Your basketball skills are undeniable but it's your personality and the bond with Owen that I'm going to always remember. That bromance is as real as it comes and I'm glad you and Owen have been able to make every stop on this journey count!
Can't wait to see what goofy things you do next and watch you and Owen grow up and get married (not to each other)!
Our door is always open and I'll keep Root Beer in the fridge for ya!
Drew Chaffin Man, it seems like only a few weeks ago Kenny and Drew were rolling in at the crack of dawn to put in some time with Owen and I before school at the Y. Most of the time he was quiet, overly polite, but I loved how he always cracked a joke or made some random reference before our eyes were even fully open. He's pretty witty and sarcastic, not to mention a heck of basketball player.
Injuries were definitely something I knew he wishes he could erase from his journey, but this past year starting in AAU and then in high school summer ball you could see the culmination of his talents and health coming together. He could always knock down shots but this felt like those setbacks were finally behind him. He leaned out, got tougher, worked on his defense and ball handling, big time varsity player here we come! He definitely had some great moments this year, a pretty sweet no look dish off a rebound against 'Tangy was still one of my favs.
Despite all these setbacks and disappointments with injuries, he was at everything and never missed a beat and never pouted or put blame on his misfortunes. Everyone wants to shield their kids from those hard times but honestly some of the most amazing people are the ones who learned to battle and overcome early and often. That's Drew!
His dad still can remind him who has the record for most dunks at Marysville and point to his picture in the Hall of Fame hallway, but I know he's just as proud of Drew for his tenacity and toughness than he would be if Drew were tearing down nets and replacing his photo in the hallway.
Drew, I hope we can still go fishing soon! Don't worry, when I get the compound up and running down south you'll always have a place to come stay and fish anytime!
Dawson Taylor
Dawson, AKA, the human highlight film 2.0. I still can't get over how you seemed to go from barely touching the net to doing back scratchers and dunking in like a year. There has to be some sort of record for increased vertical and growth in a single year.
In all seriousness, I know you were the youngest of competitive brothers so we all knew there was no way if you weren't gonna be great too!
It's been a pleasure watching you grow and mature all these years. We played against you for so many AAU tournaments and battled and then turn around during the season and cheer for ya. (We still cheered for ya then too, but we didn't want you to beat our teams)
I can't wait to see what the future holds for you and if you'll pull out a few more dunks these last few games. I'm ready for it, go throw down some hammers!!!
Owen Graves I might be partial because I know him so well, but he still continues to amaze me every day. On the court, he's learned to adapt and do whatever his team needs even when it's not always glamorous. He's the kid tying his buddies shorts before the game (sometimes shoes too), teaching them how to do new things in life, always happy to help. We joke that he's the "Dad" with all his friends when they go places, but he embraces it.
Basketball has led him to meet so many great people, both in AAU and here in the 'Ville and he's made so many lifelong friends no doubt.
I'll miss the off-season grind with him: hitting the Y at 5am to lift and get shots up, or death match 1v1 games that sometimes resulted in him not talking to me for days. During the process you're always cautious not to give too much praise, to humble them, keep them hungry to work and improve. Never settle!
So to you Owen: I've always been proud of you son, your official playing days are about over and I'll miss them. I'm confident we'll continue to lift, play ball, fish and talk about your "glory days" for decades to come. Stay young and get ready to help your future sons and daughters chase their dreams! I'm excited for your next chapters!
Levi Crouso
Every once in a great while you find a player like Levi who is clearly the most athletic kid on the court but doesn't know it or act like it. He's extremely humble, hard working, and just a great all around guy. I loved watching people underestimate him and be proven wrong quickly.
Don't mistake his quiet demeanor for weakness or lack of skill, because he's about as good as it gets.
While his ability to drive to the hole or make textbook jumpers is top notch, defense is still the differentiator. When the game is on the line, Levi is the guy I want guarding their best player every time!!!
Ben Coil
You are the workhorse, perfecting your craft. If there was one kid we ran into frequently at the gym it was Ben. Gonna miss watching ol' lefty knock down 3's all day long!
Cole Brewer
Last but not EVER ok with being last, the ultimate competitor, Cole. Everyone has that one TV show, or one movie, or one song that you just binge watch and you can't get enough of, you're on the edge of your seat and can't wait to see what's next...that's Cole, every day. A few weeks ago I was already thinking; "I can't wait to see what Cole write's for his Senior answers." I mean I knew the food was gonna be all Chic-Fil-A or Taco Bell or Sheetz or one of the 3 places he eats in life, how's he gonna pick his most memorable moment? I truly believe he hates to lose soooo much, that he just hits game winners to avoid having to think about a loss the next morning. I googled it one time and Michael Jordan who everyone says was Mr. Clutch only hit 9 buzzer beaters his hole NBA career! I can promise you between high school games and AAU Cole has more than that, and he surely didn't miss a game winning opportunity 26 times, so I guess Cole is the real GOAT!
Everyone who knows Cole has probably heard us talk about him carrying Goldfish in his basketball shorts in 3rd and 4th grade. Stories of him coming up the court, crossing some kid up and pulling out a few Goldfish crackers along the way. It's probably because he loves to play so much he didn't ever want to have to stop to eat, so yes I can appreciate his logic there.
I still to this day don't really know if Cole likes me (if you do let me know, circle yes or no) but maybe that's because I always challenged him to be uncomfortable. He wanted to do things the way he knew he liked or would work, why change it? I can remember how I'd ref in scrimmages and practices and I would always be sure to call any little push off, any reach on defense, travels that could go either way I always called against him. He probably thought I hated him (which is partially why I still don't know if he likes me) but it was because I knew his competitive nature would make him learn to overcome any obstacles and be even better. Cole's only limits were staying in his comfort zone and doing what he already knew how to do.... Win! Never be content with winning or you will start losing before you know it!
Cole is a man of few words most days, at least to adults, but he's one of my absolute favorite people to watch. He won't back down from anyone which is probably why our wholesome little AAU squad managed to get a reputation for getting into brawls. He's so pure and authentic I can help but smile. "Cole, we're gonna give you a break!" Him responding, "No, you never take me out when I'm on fire and hitting shots..." It's not him being disrespectful, it's just that he speaks his mind with no filters and he knows how to win so we better listen!
Last year we took a road trip to Lima to watch our AAU buddy Harrison play their tourney game in Lima. I knew we'd have to stop for food and Cole was gonna say he's only eating Chic-Fil-A, Taco Bell, or McDonald's, which is exactly what happened. Of course, I responded, "We are in Lima, you never come here, and they are famous for one thing!!! So I took him to Kewpee's to get burgers, to which he gave me the normal death stare and grunted and then got over it.
To make matters worse, everyone travelling to Lima must've known Kewpee's is the spot and it had quite the line. We finally got to order and I smiled as he ordered his burgers with absolutely nothing, no cheese, no ketchup, no mustard...and then he said, "But I'll take pickles if you have them!" So Cole got his burgers and he sat down and wouldn't you know it, they forgot the pickles... He said it was fine, but I thought this kid broke out of his shell and is trying Kewpee's and wants pickle, I'm going back up and fighting thru this horrid line to get this guy some pickles!
So to you Cole, I will probably keep testing you and pushing your buttons even after basketball, but you can handle it and you are one of my favorite people on this planet. I hope we can be friends, and just know that I'll always go get pickles for you but I'll probably never buy you Chic-Fil-A!
