By: Nate Calvin
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
sports@thevillagereporter.com
METAMORA – A father coaching his son is a special circumstance in sports. Add in a career milestone on the night that father/coach is honored for his 32 years of guiding the program ahead of his retirement, well that’s a storybook moment.
That was the scenario on February 9 at Evergreen High School for Viking head coach Jerry Keifer and his son, senior guard Eli Keifer.
Keifer took a pass from Tyson Woodring for a bucket in the second half to give him 1,000 career points before large crowd at The Big House on County Road 6.
Keifer is the seventh Viking boys player to reach the mark joining Brooks Miller (1,552 pts); Mason Loeffler (1,542); Chad Mossing (1,158); Nate Brighton (1,048); Mike Zenk (1,042); and Adam Freels (1,028).
“It means a ton to me because I grew up watching other great players achieve this and to be a part of that group is really special to me”, said Eli.
“My family has provided me with constant and unwavering support”, commented Eli when speaking about how his family (parents – Jerry and Dorinda Kiefer and sister Kennedi Keifer) has impacted him.
“They have provided me with rides to and from practices and games. They have shown me how to bounce back after bad games and stay humble when things are good.”
“After Eli was born, he spent 45 days in the NIC unit at Toledo Hospital”, shared his father and Evergreen head coach Jerry Keifer.
“When he was released, a physical therapist would come to the house and work on his legs. She kept telling me he wouldn’t be very flexible because his legs were so stiff. I would do butter flyer stretches with him every day. I am so glad she was wrong!”, added Keifer.
“As a sophomore he found the weight room and really worked on his strength, shooting and ballhandling”, said the elder Keifer when talking about how Eli’s game has grown over four years.
“Eli really put in the time every day, to get better. It meant a lot of trips to the gym. But it was all worth it to me.”
“He spent time with a trainer who helped him with agility and confidence in himself to be a better basketball player and 1,000-point scorer.”
“He has 300 career assists. He is a willing passer and provides opportunity for others to score. I believe he is a better passer than scorer.”
“As a dad, I am very proud of the player he has become. As a coach you like the fact that you have a player that can win you a game because of his abilities. And who is also your son”, concluded Keifer.
Keifer, who started playing basketball at the age of five, as a junior was named 1st Team NWOAL, 1st Team District 7, and Special Mention All-Ohio and was recently named 1st Team NWOAL for this season.
In the classroom, Keifer is a National Honor Society member, belongs to SADD and the Red Cross Club, is an AP student, and is ranked third in his class.
“Beating Archbold my sophomore year”, said Keifer when looking back at some of the highlights of his Viking career. “My entire senior year has been the best because I am with all of my friends I’ve grown up with.”
After graduation, Keifer intends to continue his basketball career and study exercise science at a college yet to be determined.
