WCDS senior Forde signs with Averett University

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 8, 2016 1:47 AM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

Searching for a stat line on Jamal Forde?

Good luck.

Odds are, you won't find it.

A blue-collar role player, Forde takes his lunch pail to practice each day and then goes to work on the hardwood at least two nights a week for Wayne Country Day's basketball team this past winter. His effort wasn't measured in points, rebounds, assists, steals -- or any other category, for that matter.

Instead, Forde garnered recognition for his defense, his ability to listen, his hustle and his determination to do what was necessary to help his team win.

"He did so much that is so hard to put into words," third-year WCDS head coach David Flowers said. "You can't put those things on paper. You can't put them on a stat line...send to a scout or recruiter. You have to see it first-hand."

David Gurganus did.

He immediately noticed Forde's grit and heavily recruited him to join the North Carolina Wesleyan program. However, Gurganus left to take an assistant coaching job at Averett (Va.) University. He didn't forget about Forde.

The two stayed in constant contact and Forde decided to visit the Division III school. He already had an instant bond with Gurganus, immediately developed a rapport with a history professor on campus and -- at that point -- realized that Averett was his next destination.

Forde signed to play basketball for the Cougars next season.

"Coach Gurganus, he's my man," said Forde, who hasn't decided on a degree, but loves the factual side of history and became more inspired after an hour-long discussion with a professor.

"I talked to some of the students there and they said how great they loved it. I talked to my parents about it. Of course, they wanted to me to go look at the educational part of it, then we looked more into sports after that."

Forde helped lead Wayne Country Day to a 14-15 record and first-round appearance in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Class 1-A playoffs. The Chargers entered the season with high expectations, but two key injuries caused the offense to sputter.

At one point, WCDS depended on just five players to battle against physical, talented teams. That's when Flowers learned more about Forde's character.

He never complained.

Although tired, he worked on both ends of the court.

"You never saw Jamal have a negative attitude towards anything," Flowers said. "He knew when those guys were out what he had to do. He stepped up tremendously. There were some games where he was gassed.

"He always said, 'Coach, I've got this.'"

Forde emerged as a 1,000-point scorer and earned all-Coastal Plains Independent 1-A/2-A Conference accolades. Despite the two achievements, Forde remained modest.

The 190-pounder knows he has to elevate his game. He must become faster, jump higher and add bulk to his frame to handle the physicality of the college game. Gurganus told him to stay in shape, remained focus and understand his goals.

"Jamal, I think he just wants to be part of something and enjoy it while he's there," Flowers said. "That's what makes him special, what makes him different. He wants to win some basketball games and do what he needs to do to get better.

"And yes, I think he can contribute if he works hard."

Averett finished 16-11 overall and 6-8 in USA South Conference play last season. The Cougars shared the USA South regular-season title in 2014-15 and have won four league crowns overall since 2006.

The Cougars made three straight trips to the NCAA Division III playoffs from 2006 to 2008.