Dragons senior leader ‘brings his lunch pail and gets after it’

Hunter Summy has averaged nearly 13 points per game for the Carroll boys basketball team this season, and while the Dragons senior has had to overcome some injuries this year, coach Eric McDade said he appears to in good shape moving forward.

McDade said that a number of things really impress him about Summy, but especially his attitude.

“He has a motor and he works so hard,” McDade said. “Ever since we put Hunter on varsity as a sophomore, he has just been a joy to coach. You talk about a guy that brings his lunch pail and gets after it, he definitely has.

“He has had a problem with some injuries early in the year with his wrist, so he had to get back into his rhythm. But he has just had some monster games.”

McDade said that Summy is great at providing leadership, as well.

“He’s a kid that is very humble and hard working,” McDade said. “He leads by example, and he is a great, great, great, great teammate. We are lucky to have him on our team.”

Summy said that he embraces the leadership role on his team and said that he feels that is one of his biggest assets.

“I mostly try to bring the leadership of being a three-year player,” Summy said. “I try to keep everyone together and focused, and be sure to really bring that leadership and experience to the team.”

Summy said he feels pretty good about the way the season is shaping up, as well.

“We’ve had our ups and downs, especially at the beginning of district,” Summy said. “I think were fine where we are. We just have to make sure that we bring it every day, continue to focus on what we need to do.”

Summy said that his goals this season are to continue to mature and improve as a leader and basketball player, and to win a district championship as a team.

Summy said for Carroll to make the postseason this year, it will take a couple of things.

“I think it’s going to come down to everyone sticking together on the team,” Summy said. “Right now, everyone at every level of basketball is playing conference or in district, and everyone is going through that grind. Everyone is getting to that point where they are tired of going to practice every day – tired of waking up (early), especially if you’ve lost a couple of games.

“But we just have to keep fighting and stay focused. For me, this is my last year, so I don’t have any second chances. If we all continue to fight for each other, I think we can go far.”

McDade said that Summy, who will play for the University of San Diego next year, will be a major part of any success the Dragons have this season.

“He is one of our major cogs,” McDade said. “When you’ve got guys that have been through those games as sophomores and juniors, that experience is added to the mix, and you can’t coach that. He understands that and he’s able to communicate.

“He’s vocal. The guys respect him, and that’s an important thing for leadership.”

This story was originally published January 16, 2015 at 3:55 PM with the headline "Dragons senior leader ‘brings his lunch pail and gets after it’."