Averaging in double figures in two categories could present Overlea center Shawn Hampton with a nice problem: what to do for an encore.
After all, he's only a freshman.
The 6-foot-6 Hampton likely will finish the season averaging in double figures in points (he's at 10.5) and rebounds (10.7) -- with an outside shot to do the same in blocks (7.7) -- as his memorable rookie performance has helped Overlea win 14 of its first 15 games.
Hampton can do many things on the court, but Overlea actually looks to him more for defense than offense.
A very quick team, Overlea loves to press and trap and force turnovers that become easy layups. And Hampton's great ability to block shots lets the Falcons gamble more than normal.
"I know that if I get beat or if one of my teammates gets beat off the dribble, he's there to either alter the shot or block the shot," said Overlea forward Troy Williams, averaging 20 points. "We didn't have that last year."
Overlea coach Tom Gere likens Hampton's shot-blocking style to that of Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell.
Hampton can easily swat a shot out of the air, but instead of knocking it halfway into the stands for show, he often keeps it inbounds to fuel an Overlea fast break.
"It's not going to help us if I block it and it goes out of bounds," said Hampton. "I always try to block shots and keep them in play."
Through his team's first 15 games , Hampton has registered 116 blocks, a number Gere called "phenomenal" for a freshman.
Hampton has had much the same success on the boards. He has pulled down 161 rebounds, many at the offensive end, allowing Hampton an easy put-back or giving another Falcon a second chance.
The Falcons put several good scorers -- namely Rob Cousins (21.5 average), Williams (20) and Shannon Barnett (12 points, 12 rebounds) -- on the court and are letting Hampton grow slowly on offense.
Gere said Hampton often is the team's third or fourth option on offense, and he wants the freshman to understand that while his scoring is nice, it's not what he should first worry about.
"His primary role on the team is not to be a scorer, and he understands that," said Gere. "It's a great situation for him. If he misses a shot, he doesn't have to feel pressure."
Scoring was something Hampton did often in recreation ball in Rosedale. Last year, as an eighth-grader, hen averaged more than 20 points.
But Hampton knew this season would be different. Coming to Overlea, he had to adjust to not being the main man all the time on offense.
"It doesn't matter to me," said Hampton. "I knew when I came here that I wasn't going to be [the star]. I don't mind, as long as we get the win."
Hampton said improvement is his top goal. Like his favorite player, Hakeem Olajuwon, Hampton said he just tries to block shots, grab rebounds and help the team win.
Gere said when he looks to the future, he definitely likes what he sees for Hampton.
"He's given us much more than we've expected or asked of him," said Gere. "He's exceeded every expectation we've had for him. We look for very, very big things from him."