Cannon CaseySheridan senior Robert Williams is leading the state in scoring. Williams is the only Colorado athlete averaging 30-plus points per game – good for 21st in the nation.
“He’s an explosive athlete. It’d be nice if he was 6-1 doing this,” Sheridan coach Rex Terry said. “This is my 25th year coaching and he’s the best point guard I’ve ever had as far as a combination of passing, speed, scoring ability.”
Williams is also leading the state in confidence.
“When I’m playing, I feel like no one can stop me,” Williams said. “If I drive right and they don’t stop me, then I’m just gonna keep driving.”
And for good reason. Williams recorded a quadruple-double against Platte Canyon with 46 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 steals on Jan. 17. He added another 40-point game this season with 41 against Arvada in December.
“It was just one of those nights,” Williams said. “When I have the ball, I don’t want to overdo it, I don’t want the game to control me, I control the game.”
At just 5-foot-7 and 150 pounds, Williams has changed his game to combat his size and the results are showing.
“Height doesn’t mean anything,” Williams said, mentioning players like Nate Robinson and Isaiah Thomas. “I can be in their shoes. Height doesn’t intimidate me.”
One change in Williams’ game is an increase in shots, mainly from 3-point range. Last year, Williams took 64 3-pointers. This year, he has taken 93 so far, making 36.
“Last year, I didn’t shoot that many shots – I’ve always been afraid to shoot until I realized I can’t just drive all the time,” Williams said. “What changed is I’m not afraid. I had to learn to develop my jump shot.”
Williams molded his jump shot into a formidable weapon over the offseason that is giving opposing defenses fits in combination with his uncanny ability to drive to the rim.
(Courtesy photo)
“He’s expanded his range, and if they come out on him, he gets to the rim as well as any guard I’ve coached,” Terry said.
Williams has stepped into the leadership role as one of just three seniors on the Sheridan roster. Last year, the team had seven seniors.
“I feel like I’ve been a leader not only on the court, but off the court,” Williams said. “I tell my teammates, ‘Hey, pick your head up, stay positive,’ stuff like that.
“It’s hard to have a young team, I have to keep playing and stay positive. I want to make a good example for them, so when I leave, someone else steps up. I’m just trying to lead by example.”
Williams has shouldered the load that has been put on him this season because of the youth of the team.
“He stays after and works on his ball handling, and that has the freshmen stay after and work on their ball handling. When he came here, he didn’t have anyone doing that for him,” Terry said. “We’ve put everything on his back, and I think with that, he’s learning to be that leader. This year, I’ve asked a lot more out of him. Sometimes he looks at me like I’m a little crazy.”
Expectedly, the Rams, who are 7-9 in Class 3A, go as Williams goes.
“He impacts the team because we ride off him,” Terry said. “When he’s having a tough night, we all seem to have kind of a tough night. If I need a basket, I spread it out and give him the ball.”
Both player and coach have grown from this season.
“With Robert, It’s been a growth for both of us,” Terry said. “Him learning to trust me and I trust him with the ball. I trust he’ll make the right decision.”
Part of the growth has come on the defensive side of the ball.
“I just wanna change my game, because when it comes to college, I know that they’re bigger, faster, stronger,” Williams said. “My defense has improved. If I’m on someone just using their right hand, I’m going to force them left.”
The result is 5.1 steals per game. This ranks second in the state and 39th in the nation.
The outstanding year has Terry and Williams thinking about the next level.
“I think when I first got here, he wasn’t sure he could go play in college,” Terry said. “I think now he’ll tell you that he knows he can play in college.”
“I just want to go to a college that will accept me and make me a better player on and off the court,” Williams said. “I put my heart out into it and show them that at 5-7, I can still play at that level. My confidence is so high I feel like I could play at any college level.”
As of yet, Williams is uncommitted, but Terry is working on getting the word out about his unique talent at point guard.
“Anybody that wants to push the pace and pressure the ball, I think Robert can play for,” said Terry, mentioning Williams’ 6.8 rebounds per game. “He holds his own with the big guys. At his size, that’s a lot of rebounds.”
Williams meditates before every game to calm his nerves and focus on the task ahead.
“I meditate and that nervousness goes away,” Williams said. “After I make that first layup, I feel comfortable for the rest of the game. Nothing can go wrong.”
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Terry reflected on the relationship the two have.
“We’ve had our ups and downs because of the pressure that I’ve put on him, but I think he’s grown a lot mentally,” Terry said. “He hasn’t reached his peak yet. I wouldn’t trade him for anyone else.”
Williams isn’t done with the success, he’s looking further down the road than just this season.
“If I want a goal, I’m gonna get that goal. The thing that keeps me strive and keep going with basketball is my mom,” Williams said. “She’s always there telling me if you got a dream, you gotta chase it. If you wanna be great, you’re gonna be great.”