KINGSVILLE, Texas. — Over in Kingsville, the Javelina men's basketball team is off to a great start in the new season.
They are off to a 9-1 start and are looking to pick up where they left off last year in their season that was canceled because of COVID-19.
This year though, the Hogs look as if they have a new start at the helm: Creighton Avery.
The junior college transfer came off the bench in his first year but now has blossomed into potentially the team's best player.
"It was just buying in, understanding my role, working on my craft and just getting better everyday," said Avery.
Despite transferring from another school, Avery is no stranger to Javelina Athletics. The West Oso High School graduate is not the first in his family to dawn the blue and gold. His mother, Cheryl Fillmore, played basketball at the university just over 30 years ago.
"It wasn't planned," continued Avery. "It meant a lot when coach recruited me knowing the family history and tradition."
Fillmore, now the athletic director of West Oso, spends most of her weekends driving to Kingsville. She gets to watch her son play for the alma mater she holds dear.
"It's just a sense of pride that my son would even consider going to the school that I went to," said Fillmore.
Fillmore claims she was shocked at her son's decision to become a Javelina. What hasn't caught her off guard: his meteoric rise.
"Creighton has always been a student of the game," she continued.
Each game at home, is a special moment for the two. Fillmore watches her son play and Avery gets the occasional tip from time to time.
"She hasn't missed a game where people are allowed," said Avery. "She is always giving me feedback after games and sending my stuff that I need to work on."
There is plenty of time for Avery to cement his legacy in Kingsville. Someday, the family will have to decide: who was the better Javelina?
"I would say myself, Creighton would probably say himself," said Fillmore.
Not so fast.
"For sure her, for sure her, she got it," said a laughing Avery.
