Coyote overcoming Obstacles to Contribute on Court

Chris Anderson's basketball life is one challenge after another.

At age 17 he arrived at Weatherford College playing against guys a year, and often two years, older than he.

This season he asked to move to the perimeter from inside. He had to battle back from a foot injury that sidelined him for a while.

Oh, and he had to go through a coaching change between his freshman and sophomore seasons.

"One thing I tell schools recruiting him is that he's grown up a lot," said Weatherford College assistant coach Larry Holman. "And I don't mean just on the court, but as a person.

"It was a big transition playing guys 18 and 19, but he's handled it well, and he's one of the best in the conference."

Anderson said he's never let being the youngest player on the court bother him because, well, it's something he's been doing his entire life.

"I don't play like the youngest player out there," he said. "All my life I've been playing older guys. I just don't think about it."

WC’s coaching staff asked Anderson to move out to the perimeter this season. Again, he didn't think twice about making the necessary adjustments to be at the top of the position.

"I told him if he wanted to become a perimeter player he was going to have to do some things, like work on his ball handling and shooting, lose some weight," said Holman. "He's lost about 20 pounds. When we went to the Junior College Showcase in St. Louis they were impressed with him. He's doing well, shooting well, rebounding from the outside."

Anderson, 6-foot-6, said he wanted to make the move outside because his driving skills are one of the strongest parts of his game.

"I had played perimeter a lot in high school (in Michigan), but being the biggest person they moved me down low," said Anderson. "I'd still bring the ball up.

"Losing weight made me faster this season."

However, a broken bone in his left foot slowed him down. Fortunately, he experienced the injury right before the team's holiday break and missed very little playing time, but he's still working his way back.

"If you're going to have an injury, that's good timing," said Holman.

"I basically just had to wait until I could put pressure on my foot," said Holman. "Then me and my trainer started doing little things. Being on it a while it hurts a little, but you just have to play on it and tough it out."

Dave Donnelly recruited Anderson to play at WC, but Donnelly left the program after last season and Bob McKinley took over the men’s team.

"Being around coach Bob last year helped with the transition, and coach Holman's been great," said Anderson.

"And not going (to the postseason) last season while the women did made me want to work even harder this season. I really don't want to watch the girls go off without us again."

Anderson is undecided about his major, but he's very certain that once he's finished at WC, he's ready for yet another challenge. He wants to play at a higher level.

"I might go back to business," he said. "And I really don't care where I play. I'll go wherever I can fit in and play."

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by Rick Mauch