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It’s hard to miss Kamden Days whenever he’s on the court.
On a team full of junior guards, the 6-foot-7 Days stands out. He’s Pope’s biggest player and is continually asked to guard some of the state’s biggest and best players. Instead of shying away from the challenge, Days instead takes it as a personal challenge.
That was on full display Friday night as Days was tasked with guarding Ensworth’s 7-foot-1 center Ghana Solongo. Days rose to that challenge scoring a career-high 25 points, nabbing several rebounds and blocking four shots en route to a 70-64 Knight’s win.
“I just had to prepare for this game,” Days said. “I wanted to help my team secure the win and I knew I had a big challenge ahead of me. In the end I gave it my all so we could secure our first region win of the season.”
Days’ role from transition player the last few seasons to senior leader is one that seemingly just came natural to him.
Last year he watched as former Pope standout Fred Bailey led the Knights to a 26-win season and state semifinals appearance. Bailey seemingly passed the torch down to rising sophomore Trey Pearson at the end of that season.
However, a foot injury delayed Pearson’s start to the season. He missed the first 13 games of the season before returning in the Knights’ second round game against Independence in the Battle for Nashville.
In his absence, other players were tasked to carry that load. Cavin became the team’s go-to scorer averaging just over 18 points per game. However, Days was not far off.
He went from a role player that averaged just over eight points last season to a key contributor this year averaging close to 17 entering the Ensworth matchup.
“I feel like everyone on this year’s team has just bought in more and that means we’re all playing better,” Days said. “Last year we got so close to winning state and that has fueled us. Each of us are doing more to get back there and get the job done.”
Osby Cavin continues to shoot lights-out
Days’ dominance in the post this season has opened up things for the Knights’ guards as well.
One of those benefiting the most is Cavin.
Cavin came on strong last season but has seemingly gone to another level this year. He’s scored 15 or more points in 14 of the Knights’ 17 games.
In that run he’s connecting on a clip close to 50% including nearly 40% from beyond-the-arc.
“I think I’ve aways been able to do certain things but I always did what was asked of me and that was to shoot,” Cavn said. “After all those seniors left last year, my role has changed. Now my role is to just score the ball.”
Friday night it looked like Ensworth had the clamps on tight against Cavin.
He was limited to seven points in the first half and nine through the first three quarters. Then he came to life in the fourth.
After the teams traded baskets early in the quarter, Days and Cavin turned the tide back in Pope’s favor. It started with a block by Days off the backboard. A quick outlet pass to Cavin and in front of the Knights student section, he connected on a 3-pointer that put Pope back up.
On their ensuing possession Cavin lobbed up the alley-oop to Days that put the finishing touches on Pope’s first region win of the season and 10th win in row.
“The entire night I wasn’t really hitting much but on that three, I knew it was going in,” Cavin said. “From there we just went off and closed it out.”
