Travis McKie set some goals for his high school basketball career.
He wanted to win a state championship and be named a McDonald's All-American.
As good a player as he is, his John Marshall teams didn't win a state title, and though he was nominated for the McDonald's A-A designation, he wasn't among the players participating in last week's televised game.
Does that mean he will enjoy his time on the basketball floor any less?
"Travis is 17, but he's a big kid at heart," John Marshall assistant coach Clarence Thornton said. "He likes to have fun."
Enthusiasm for the game and stellar skills landed McKie a scholarship to Wake Forest University and a chance to play in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
A 6-7 wing forward/guard, McKie is The Times-Dispatch player of the year for the second season in a row. He averaged 21.8 points, 11 rebounds and nearly three blocked shots for the Justices, who won the Colonial District regular-season and tournament titles his past three years. JM won the Central Region title when he was sophomore and lost in the state tournament semifinals when he was a sophomore and junior.
Petersburg ended John Marshall's season in the region semifinals this year.
"I think I have lived up to the expectations of others," McKie said. "I just didn't live up to mine."
McKie, who carries a 3.5 GPA at Richmond Community High, played all four years at John Marshall. From the time his freshman year concluded, McKie was tempted and advised to ply his talents at a private school.
"I think I gave people hope that you don't have to go to a private school," he said. "You can do it right here at home."
McKie took on a new role in his final high school season. Instead of being the younger guy, he was the older guy, the senior, leading a young team.
"He handled himself well, and his maturity level went up," Thornton said. "He's always had fun playing, but he took it more seriously this year. He's laid back and such an unselfish player, but when he knew it was time to take over, he'd say get me the ball. It will be interesting to how he'll do next year."
McKie will have to adjust to the speed and the strength of the players in the ACC.
"He'll have some growing pains," Thornton said, "but Travis plays better with players who are on the same level [as he is]."
McKie says he became a better all-around player this year. He passed the 2,000 career points mark in the district tournament final victory over J.R. Tucker.
"I really didn't think I'd get [2,000] that night, but I couldn't miss. They stopped the game," McKie recalled. "Not many high school players score 2,000 points."
Not many players achieve what Travis McKie has achieved.
Contact Arthur Utley
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