Keim to lead Spartans on path to state playoffs

It’s not often a basketball player starts three years of his or her high school career, but in Mountain Brook senior guard Patrick Keim’s case, it’s ordinary.

Throughout his career, Keim’s speed on the court, strength and toughness, and ability to lead have been keys in helping him reach the level that Spartans coach Bucky McMillan calls “one of the best guards in the state.”

 “When Patrick came in as a freshman, he was bigger and stronger than most people and was playing the center position,”  McMillan said. “Over the years, he’s become a good shooter, a great leader [and] an incredible defender.”

Coming off Mountain Brook’s 6A state championship last year, the Spartans are geared up for a successful season. With wins over Spain Park and Hewitt-Trussville and a 6-2 start, they look to endure virtually the same success.

Along with Keim, new players such as senior forward Spencer Einhorn and junior guards Matt Creighton, Will Hartley and Hunter Lucas have stepped up in big ways, adding much-needed scoring and great defense to the team.

With this year’s team, Keim is not only the starting point guard but also the pronounced leader.  “Patrick’s biggest intangible is his leadership,” McMillan said. “I’ve played college basketball, coached some professional players in some AAU settings, and just been coaching for a long time, and Patrick is the best leader that I have ever been around.”

Following the Spartans’ win against Spain Park, they played Ramsay, Hoover and Northridge and then headed over to Samford for the Steel City Invitational, where many of the top teams in the state competed in the first citywide basketball tournament in years.

At 6-2, the Spartans look to be one of the top teams in the state, and with the leadership of Keim, they are on their way to reaching their goal to repeat as state champions.