In the aftermath of Nixa's Gold Division championship at the Blue & Gold Tournament, Kael Combs basked in the glory of what had become an elusive title for the Eagles.
It was the first Blue & Gold championship of his career and the first for Nixa in eight years.
"I know to win this is a big deal. A ton of people come to watch this tournament every year. It's a great tradition," Combs said. "A lot of people don't get this in their high school career."
The latter statement can also be attributed to the recognition Combs is receiving from a burgeoning, yet still relatively new member of the local media.
Combs' senior season on the court and off is being captured as part of a documentary by videographer Chrystopher Jackson, better known as C.J.
The documentary, titled "Stay The Course," will be split into episodes throughout the season. The first two episodes are available on YouTube and as of this week have combined to already attract more than 13,000 views.
The episodes feature highlights from Nixa's championship at the Willard Tournament, the duel between Combs and Bolivar's Kyle Pock, Eagles practices, shoot-arounds and locker room chatter, interviews between Combs, Pock and the Headliner News' Pat Dailey, conversations between Combs and Jackson while Combs is driving, as well as a Combs trip to Academy Sports in Springfield to purchase socks.
The visit to Academy produced an enlightening dialogue between Combs and an overzealous store employee named Eric. As Eric so graciously volunteered to Combs, make sure to mention his name at the check-out lane at Academy to receive a 10-percent discount.
Who knew?
Combs and Jackson struck up a friendship through Rob Yanders' The Basketball Movement facility in Nixa a couple years ago, leading to Jackson discussing the idea of a documentary to Combs.
After all, "QB1: Beyond The Lights" and its three seasons were a smash hit on Netflix.
"We talked about it in the pre-season and I was all-in and he was all-in," Combs said. "I'm super excited we're doing the documentary."
Combs' confidence in Jackson allows him to be his easy-going self in front of the camera, thus making the documentary unscripted and compelling.
"It's so much fun," Combs said. "Kudos to 'ol CJ. He's a great guy. I'm just doing me. He's making it all happen. He's all-access, he can do whatever. He ain't missing nothing. He'll send me drafts before he publishes it. But I definitely trust him with whatever."
Combs values the keepsake he will have of his senior season for years to come.
"I'm blessed," he said. "It will be super cool to see in the future.”
