When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Keep Going by Lauren Beasley
There has always been plenty of great talent in the state of Michigan, however sometimes players are overlooked such as senior guard Caleb McIntosh of Troy Athens.
For McIntosh it seems he has always been somewhat underrated, he transferred from Ferndale High School to Troy Athens High School his sophomore year.
“It wasn’t my choice to transfer.” McIntosh said. “My parents felt I would receive a better education at Troy Athens, so I transferred there my sophomore year.”
Now while McIntosh feels the move was great for him education wise, he sometimes wonders if it was the best move for him athletically.
“I have always been big on my education; I don’t take it for granted.” McIntosh replied. “So while I feel I received a better education at Troy Athens, I think athletically I struggled once I transferred there for the main reason I didn’t receive much exposure.”
However, McIntosh does feel he could have done more to get himself expose but unfortunately didn’t.
“I didn’t work as hard as I should to get exposure.” McIntosh said. “I should have gone to more camps, tournaments, etc. to get more exposure. I also knew my weaknesses and should have done more to improve them as well.”
McIntosh was certainly underrated but he was an underrated player with goals.
“My first goal was to earn a scholarship to college.” McIntosh replied. “My second goal was to help my team win a district championship and my last goals were to make All-League and lead my team in assists. I accomplished every goal except one; unfortunately I fell short in helping my team win a district championship.”
McIntosh may have fell short in helping his team win a district championship but he certainly had a great senior year averaging 17 points per game and 8 assists per game.
That being said, I asked McIntosh is it frustrating to see other players received more and more offers.
“Yes it is somewhat frustrating.” McIntosh said. “A lot of the players that receive these offers, I have played against and play well. I wish I could have earned more offers but I have nothing against others who have earned more offers.”
Toward the end of his senior season, McIntosh started to receive more exposure from different schools such as junior colleges all over Michigan, a couple of NAIA schools and one particular division one school, Sam Houston State.
McIntosh received an offer from Sam Houston State but unfortunately was unable to accept it due to eligibility requirements.
“It’s still upsetting that I couldn’t accept the scholarship offer from Sam Houston State.” McIntosh replied. “However, I have no one to blame for it except myself. I didn’t do all I was supposed to do in the classroom and it cost me.”
Nevertheless, things still worked out for McIntosh when he received multiple offers from almost every junior college in the state of Michigan.
After visiting and looking over each offer, McIntosh decided to take a full ride scholarship to Delta Community College.
“Delta CC is the best fit for me.” McIntosh replied. “I love the coaching staff; I have good relationships with the current players at Delta and the past players who have attended Delta. My role will be important. I have to earn the right to start but my goal is to be starting by the end of the season.”
McIntosh plans to spend his next two years at Delta Community College and then hopefully transfer to a division one school, possibly Sam Houston State but possibly another school.
“Right now I still plan to transfer to Sam Houston State.” McIntosh said. “However if over the next two years I receive more college interest and offers, I will look at ally my options before making my decision.”
There is no question that Caleb McIntosh has had some tough times throughout his high school career both academically and athletically but he has overcome his tough times and plans to learn from his past tribulations. McIntosh is the first person in his family to go to college and he plans to make his family proud. I have no doubt that he will do well at Delta Community College and in whatever else he does in life.