Family helps Montezuma’s Trey Shearer lead the way

      Montezuma's Trey Shearer, a senior at Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo., and another Bulldog player, chase after a loose ball in a game against Maryville University on Feb. 20. Shearer and company won the game, 92-78.

By J.O. Parker
 
      Montezuma’s Trey Shearer could fill an office wall with all of his basketball accolades and sports honors, including leading the Braves to a Class 1A state basketball championship in 2021, his senior year in high school.
       But for Shearer, the biggest honor has been the family support along the way.
    From youth basketball to AAU, junior high, varsity, travel ball and college basketball at Truman State University, Shearer said his family has been a guiding light and his biggest fans.
     His parents, J.R. and Kara, and other family members travel the 2.5 hours from Montezuma to Kirksville, Mo., sometimes twice weekly, to support Shearer and his Bulldog teammates. They have also attended away games in Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, South Dakota, Illinois and across Missouri.
      “I have been extremely lucky to have the family support that I have received from my parents, my brother, and other family since being at Truman State,” noted Shearer. “My parents have only missed a handful of my college games, and they do everything they can to come and support the team. My parents have made so many sacrifices to help me be successful, and I cannot thank them enough for that.”
      “We are so unbelievably proud of Trey and his teammates on everything they have accomplished over the years,” said J.R. “From traveling all over the country for AAU basketball, watching Montezuma win a high school championship, and then on to college has been a dream come true for all of us. 
      “Playing collegiate sports while maintaining grades and keeping up on your schedule is a full-time job and very difficult,” J.R. went on to say. “Trey has worked so hard to accomplish his goals throughout all levels of sports. It's actually hard to believe sometimes. In his four years at Truman, he has attained his undergrad in business administration and will earn his masters in organizational leadership in May, while holding close to a 4.0 GPA and playing more than 100 collegiate basketball games. It's been a heck of a ride for sure, and we're so grateful that we were able to be a part of it.”
      Shearer capped off his four-year career on the hardwood at Truman State University in a first round loss to Upper Iowa University on March 6 at the GLVC (Great Lakes Valley Conference) tournament held at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo.
     And for the future, Shearer plans to return to Iowa and find a job in business, management or a leadership role in an organization.
      “I would also like to get into some form of coaching once I am graduated as well,” he said.
     When asked what he has enjoyed the most about his basketball career at Truman State, Shearer said, his teammates.
    “Every year I have been here, the team is always close, and everyone genuinely gets along great,” noted Shearer. “My teammates have made my time here extra special.”
     Some highlights at Truman State his senior year included hitting the game winning three pointer against Northeastern State in November.
      He finished the year with 68 three-point baskets made and scored 20 points against Findlay University and chipped in 21 points in a win over the University of Indianapolis late in the season. Sharer had other games with 15, 16 and 17 points scored. He appeared in 27 of 29 games this season and was a starter in all 27 games. He averaged 31.3 minutes of playing time per game.
     His freshman year, Shearer appeared in 23 games, starting in 6. He averaged 14.5 minutes and 3.7 points per game, with his season high being 12 points against Missouri Southern State.
     He played in 28 games his sophomore season, starting in 26 and averaging 27.4 minutes per game. He scored double-digits 8 times and received Academic All-Conference honors.
     His junior campaign, Shearer was Truman’s leading scorer with 12.8 points per game and was the top three-point shooter with 64 made baskets. He earned second team all-GLVC honors and scored in double figures in 18 games with more than 20 points in four contests. His single game high was 28 against Upper Iowa. Shearer was a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection and named to the Academic All-GLVC team that year.
      Shearer played basketball, football and golf at Montezuma where he started varsity all four years of his prep career. On the hardwood, Shearer averaged 25 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds per game. He was named All State three times, All Conference four times and won a state championship in basketball in 2021.     He was a two time All State in football and a member of the National Honor Society.
       When asked about the time he spends in the gym and weight room during the regular season, Shearer said around 12 hours in the gym each week and around two hours in the weight room.
       “In the fall, before the full regular season kicks off, we spend more hours lifting,” said Shearer. “Those 12 hours in the gym consist of practices, film sessions, and two games each week.”
      As for game rituals, Shearer said he didn’t have any specific pre-game rituals, but he does like to eat at Subway before a game.
       “I have eaten Subway before games since I was a freshman in high school,” he said.
       As for the game of basketball, Shearer said he has always loved the sport.
      “I love competing and trying to get better every day, and basketball has always been my favorite sport to play,” he said.
      When asked for his thoughts on playing multiple sports at Montezuma and how it helped him in college, Shearer said playing sports like football and track made him stronger, quicker and helped him prepare for the next level.
       “I think every student athlete should play multiple sports and take advantage of those opportunities when they are given them,” he said.
      When asked what it meant to be coached by Jeff Horner and staff, Shearer said he is grateful that they gave him an opportunity to come to Truman State and allowed him to play basketball. 
       “I have learned so much about the sport, but also about life, since joining the team,” he said.