Prep of the Week: Buay Koak

(ABC 6 News) — For the past five years, Lyle-Pacelli has enjoyed the rise and success of Buay Koak; a young man whose penchant for scoring has grown just as much as he has himself.

“Having that experience, playing since eighth grade, I got to see what my place was on the court so I could play everywhere,” Koak mentioned. “And playing AAU basketball really helped because it put me in positions to score.”

“He just has gotten stronger with the ball, he can attack the rim now, he can dunk,” Athletics head coach Carl Truckenmiller noted. “He’s just more physical now than he has been when he was younger. He’s just got the physicality of a senior, not an eighth grader.”

He’s able to light it up on the court, but when his team faces heat in key moments, his poise remains as cool as a snowman.

“Helping my teammates up, helping the other team up, just trying to be a good character no matter what,” Koak continued. “Even if the game’s tight, even if the game’s tough, just trying to keep balance, cool at all times. Just being able to do everything on the court and not being limited at all.”

The Athletics are rocking the competition through a 10-game win streak. The effort was punctuated by Koak reaching 2,000 career points against Southland on January 17. At the time Koak was interviewed by ABC 6 Sports, he hadn’t reached that milestone yet. But the senior saw the mark as an honor nonetheless.

“(It would) feel amazing to really set that record and it would just mean a lot seeing all the hard work pay off,” Koak said. “Because there’s some days you work and you’re like, ‘Is this really worth it?’ But, seeing that payoff, that’s what really feels the best.”

With Koak’s skills, he has a potential future in college; but where he’ll go remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain, his one-of-a-kind success with the Athletics is still only a taste of his prowess. Koak will continue to peak, no matter his destination.

“I think teams worry more about him being in the paint and how we’re going to defend them,” Truckenmiller added. “He can take you off the dribble at the top of the key. I don’t think people really know he can handle the ball that well.”

“I try seeing what I really want to accomplish and I know it’s not going to be easy,” Koak concluded. “Just being thankful for the things that I have right now because there’s some people that want to be in my position, doing what I do. So just using the gifts God has given me to just keep on going and doing everything that I can.”