You can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t always take the country out of the boy. Bacon County Red Raiders senior Trae Stewart was born in Alma, Georgia, and moved to Athens when he was in elementary school, but he missed Bacon County.
“I was born in Alma but moved to Athens in the third grade,” Stewart said. “My mother asked me if I wanted to leave Cedar Shoals High School after my freshman year, and I did, which gave a chance to come back and graduate in my hometown. I’m glad I decided to move back because it has opened so many opportunities to continue playing sports thanks to my great coach, J. Bergeron.”
Stewart plays football and basketball and runs track for the Red Raiders. Through hard work and dedication, he found success in all three.
“When I was in eighth grade, coach Mike Scott asked me to come out and run track,” Stewart said. “This was my first year doing track and won first place in the triple jump and have made it to state every year since.”
On the gridiron, he plays safety and returns punts and kicks. His junior year, he ran back an 80-plus-yard kickoff return for the Red Raiders’ only touchdown against rival Pierce County.
Of the three sports Stewart competes in, his favorite and the one that has had the biggest impact on him is basketball.
Stewart could visualize the potential that he had when he got his first slam dunk his freshman year. Immediately, some of the upper classman saw him in a different light and realized that he had some ability. However, even with that ability, he left a AAAAAA program at Cedar Shoals to go back to AA Bacon County.
“During my sophomore year, I started to realize that this is a different game than what I was used to in middle school,” Stewart said. “Playing junior varsity and getting varsity system, I have learned the system and what I need to do to make myself better, (but) more importantly to help my team be better.”
Though his work ethic transformed him into a player that currently averages 18 points, seven rebounds, and two steals per game, his leadership qualities don’t go unnoticed.
“Trae has grown tremendously over the last two years,” said J.B. Bergeron, Bacon County boys basketball head coach. “He has become a very good player, a great teammate, but most importantly a fine young man. Trae has bought into our system, and I am excited about the run we are about to make. He is a big part of our success.”
Playing with the Red Raiders, Stewart embraced his position as shooting guard.
“As shooting guard, I have to recognize the defense in order to decided which option is there: either stay out or have a hard cut to the paint for an easy bucket or open up for another teammate.” Stewart said. “My favorite shot is mid-range pop up. If outside the 3-point range, I shoot from the angle.”
Developing court vision and creating scoring opportunities of himself and his teammates have been important parts of the game, but he is equally as proud of the leadership opportunities it has earned him on and off the court.
“I know I am to do everything I can to help us win, not only in games but also practice,” Stewart said. “The extra effort comes from within. I build myself for circumstances as if it becomes game situations. Every game I go into like it was my last because I will never get to play that moment of that second in that gym again, nor do I know what unturned holds for that game,” Stewart said.
A combination of Stewart’s play and attitude created a favorable situation for the Red Raiders this season. On Jan. 20, Bacon County knocked off previously unbeaten Swainsboro.
“Trae is the steady force on our team,” Bergeron said. “I never have to worry about him showing up. He is a gamer. Trae’s athletic ability is undeniable and his will to win unquestionable. Trae anchors our team in many ways. He is a leader in every facet of the game (offensively, defensively, and as a captain). He is averaging 18 points a game, seven rebounds, two steals. He leads our team in free throws attempted and free throw percentage. That’s a good combination. Trae has three offers to play college ball, all in the Midwest. I am confident he will receive more.”
Stewart hopes to play college basketball somewhere after graduating from Bacon County and major in sports management. His focus right now is to finish the season strong with the Red Raiders and make a run in the playoffs.
“I want us to win the region and make a deep run in the state playoffs, and I think are ready to do that,” Stewart said.
SE-MI-2.17-Stewart
Written by: John Wood
Finishing Where He Started, Stewart Leads Bacon County
