Providence Grove

Basketball player becomes first from Providence Grove as N.C. East-West All-Star

ASHEBORO — When playing for Providence Grove, Jonathan Foust made steady improvements on the basketball court the past couple of seasons.

“Once he got comfortable, he did some really good things,” coach Wes Luther said.

Much of that could apply to how Foust handled his role last week in the North Carolina East-West All-Star game.

“I had a great time,” Foust said. “It was different from what I’m used to.”

Luther became the first participant in any sport from Providence Grove to be selected for a North Carolina East-West All-Star Game. He didn’t know any of the other players selected for the summer showcase until meeting them for workouts in advance of the game.

He played for the West, scoring seven points and tying for game-high honors with 12 rebounds at the Greensboro Coliseum. He also was credited with a team-high four assists in the West’s 116-92 loss.

All those rebounds came despite often contending with taller players.

“I was just in the right place at the right time,” he said. “You’ve just got to know where to be.”

He said rebounding might not have been a priority for all the players that night.

“I’ll just rebound it and pass it up (the court),” he said of his approach.

It was a good send-off from the high school ranks for Foust, who was named the PAC-7 Player of the Year as a senior. This was the final official stop before he plays for Davidson-Davie Community College.

Foust said he hopes that’s a bridge to a scholarship at a four-year school in another year or two. Luther said the standout player continues to blossom on the court, something he sees as an ongoing process.

“He really flew under the radar,” Luther said. “I really think the COVID killed his recruiting.”

He’s listed at a 6-foot-2 guard, but versatility tended to be one of his major assets.

Foust said he likes how his basketball instincts have helped him excel. He said he expects there to be different challenges as he moves on.

“In high school, I would get around (defenders) with one move,” he said. “I’m still working on getting a knockdown shot.”

Foust, who turns 18 in October, has worked for a couple of years at an area daycare when it doesn’t interfere with basketball pursuits. He assists teachers and helps with maintenance.

Luther said holding that job while also maintaining a strong grade point average shows the type of responsibility that Foust displays. That carried over to athletics as well.

“He killed it in the weight room and that’s where I thought it all started,” Luther said. “His work ethic is unbelievable. He doesn’t want anything given to him. He has got the total package.”

For Providence Grove, Foust was asked to play inside because of his size and strength. That will change at a higher level.

“We still worked on point guard stuff with him,” Luther said. “We preached to him (that he could develop in all areas) and he bought in.”

 

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