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Instant Peay Play: Zavion Williams ready to make Hometown return with APSU Governors Basketball

Legends Bank, Clarksville TNClarksville, TN – Zavion Williams made a name for himself three years ago by leading West Creek High School to its first state basketball tournament berth in the school’s short history, now he is ready to help lead the Austin Peay State University men’s basketball team back to the Ohio Valley Conference tournament and an NCAA tournament berth.

APSU Basketball's Zavion Williams. (Courtesy: Austin Peay Sports Information)
APSU Basketball’s Zavion Williams. (Courtesy: Austin Peay Sports Information)

Williams, who will be a red-shirt sophomore this season for the Govs, originally signing with Lipscomb University — where an injury limited what stared out being a big freshman season for the 5-foot-10 point guard in 2011-12, who despite the injury still averaged 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.6 assist for the Bisons.

“Before I got hurt at Lipscomb they were saying that I was doing things that a freshman wasn’t supposed to do and how good I was,” Williams said. “But when I got hurt and they didn’t hear from me for a while they were saying what happened to him.

“Then when I got back and wasn’t 100 percent they were saying what happened to him, he’s not the same player we knew before the injury. Now I’m healthy and I want to show people that I’ve progressed and I’m ready to play.”

After that first season, Williams decided he wanted to come back to where it all started – back to Clarksville — and after sitting out the 2012-13 season under NCAA transfer rules is ready to get back on the floor for the Governors Red and White.

“I can’t wait (to play) after sitting out so long,” Williams said. “I feel that people have forgotten about me, but I’m looking forward to showing the town that I’m back and ready to play again.

“To have the opportunity to come back home is a blessing and to be able to play in front of the people that watched me grow up from middle school and up.”

Longtime Governors head coach Dave Loos is also happy to have Zavion in the fold, as the point guard position was a struggle for Austin Peay during the 2012-13 season.

“I’m excited about having him on the squad,” Loos said. “He’s a talented guy and he’s got three years left, which is a plus for us.

“He’s really performed well in our practices so far and he’s handled the ball well, he’s delivered the ball to people when they’re open and he’s been able to finish when he gets into the lane and gets to the rim. Defensively, he can pick your pocket if you don’t protect the basketball when you’re around him.”

Williams will also put pressure on opponents defense, as he is known to push the ball up the floor, but still protect the ball and find the open man if not finishing at the rim himself.

“He’s going to be exciting and fun to watch, because he really pushes the ball,” Loos said. “He can get up and down the floor and puts a lot of pressure on the other teams defense, so I’ll think he’ll be the kind of player that our fans will really enjoy watching.

“We also think his passing ability is going to make some guys on our team better, because he’s got good vision and anticipates real well and finds guys when there open and delivers the ball in position for them to score. Guys like (Travis) Betran and (Cory) Arentsen ought to really prosper with Zavion out there.”

Williams will also come into the season having practiced in the system last year while sitting out and should have a good handle on the Governors system.

“He’s familiar with the system,” Loos said. “He’s got a step ahead of some of the other guys that are coming in fresh and didn’t experience a year in what we do and that makes a big difference. “We feel good about that and I think that we have good leadership on this team and he’s going to be part of it.”

For Zavion, he’s just glad to have a chance to play again.

“You just don’t understand how happy I am,” he said. “I’m back in Clarksville and I’m getting to play again, it’s exciting.”

The Governors open up their 2013-14 season with an exhibition game versus Central Missouri on Monday November 4th at the Dunn Center.

Chris Austin
Chris Austinhttp://www.clarksvillesportsnetwork.com
Chris Austin is a graduate of Clarksville High School and Austin Peay State University. Chris is a former Head Softball Coach for APSU, and assistant basketball coach for CHS. Chris has worked at the Leaf-Chronicle, and WJZM News/Talk/Sports radio. Has also worked at the Sports Information Department at APSU, and has covered championship events for the Ohio Valley Conference and NCAA. Chris is an avid sports fan and can be found at most Austin Peay State University sports events.
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