Kael Combs is climbing the ladder of Nixa’s all-time career scoring list and passing up some big names in the program’s history. There’s no bigger in his mind than his oldest brother, Jalen Norman.
Combs did Wednesday what he couldn’t have conceived possible as a youngster by overtaking Norman for the No. 8 spot on Nixa’s scoring list.
Combs’ 33 points against Kickapoo pushed his career total to 1,368. Norman totaled 1,346 from 2009-2013.
“Honestly no, because he was my hero,” Combs said when asked if he could have imagined passing up his brother. “I idolized him. I always looked up to him and wanted to be like him. I looked up to him ever since I started playing basketball.
"It’s a cool accomplishment,” he added. “It’s bragging rights.”
Combs, who is 10 years younger than Norman, credits him with his development as a youngster.
“He helped me a lot as far as going to the basket and being physical,” Combs said. “Also, he helped a lot with my vision. He helped with my feel for the game.”
Combs passed his other older brother, Braden Combs, last season. Braden scored 655 points in his Nixa career. He likely also would have joined the Eagles’ 1,000-point club, but opted not to play as a senior.
Kael has averaged 31.7 points over Nixa’s last four games. If he keeps that pace up, he could challenge for the top spot on the Eagles’ records board.
He could pass Randy Pogue (1,390 points) and Zach Towe (1,398) for the Nos. 7 and 6 spots as soon as Friday against Joplin.
Also well within range for Combs are No. 5 Jacob Ruder (1,440), No. 4 Kent Kelmer (1,455) and No. 3 Kevin Cheffey (1,555).
Austin Ruder is Nixa’s scoring king with 1,772 points and Kent Russell is No. 2 with 1,685.
Combs and the Eagles (19-0) have seven regular-season games remaining and could play as many as six post-season games. If Nixa would get to the Class 6 state championship game and Combs averages 31.2 points along the way, he would overtake both Russell and Ruder.
Combs missed eight games as a sophomore due to a broken hand.
