Felton’s b-ball journey continues
“Corban is a grinder and he has worked very hard to get to this moment,” said coach Danny Fish. “Guys like him - all they need is an opportunity and then they take it and go make it great.”
There were basketball goals everywhere in the Felton house.
One hung on a door, while another sat on a wall. At one point, the family living room basically doubled as a full court for a basketball-obsessed little boy who started dribbling almost as soon as he could walk.
Long before Corban Felton became a starting guard for the Pioneers or committed to continue his basketball career at Motlow State Community College, the game had already completely taken over his life.
“We literally had a basketball court in the living room from the time he could walk,” his mom, Kimberly Felton said. “His dad played full court - half the living room - and we had goals everywhere.”
The goals weren’t lowered for him either. Even at age 1, the family intentionally hung them high so he would learn proper shooting form early.
“I remember somebody saying it was too high,” she recalled with a laugh. “I said, ‘No, he needs to learn to shoot it.’”
Turns out she was right. And his shooting is a big reason why he’s headed to the next level.
Felton will sign with Motlow State today in front of friends, family, teammates and coaches, officially turning a childhood dream into reality after years of work behind the scenes.
For anybody who watched his journey closely, the moment feels earned.
Felton was an undersized guard at Irving College in middle school, but his confidence and fearlessness always played much bigger than his frame. He was a gunner - an all-around scorer and the type of player willing to attack the paint against anybody. When he arrived at Warren County, he had to prove himself all over again.
He did it the same way he always had - By competing harder than everybody else.
Felton worked his way into the rotation and eventually into a lead role during his junior season after Aaron Templeton suffered a knee injury. Instead of shrinking under the pressure, Felton worked to stabilize the offense and help guide the Pioneers to a district regular-season championship.
As a senior, he helped Warren County win 17 games and capture the Smoky Mountain Christmas Classic title while evolving from a scorer into a floor leader.
“It has been fun to watch his transformation over the years from being a guy that was asked to score the ball all the time to being asked to run a team,” Warren County coach Danny Fish said. “With most kids that is a hard transition to make but Corbs worked on it and because of that we won a lot of games. I couldn’t be more proud of his persistence and determination - that will be two of his biggest assets going forward.”
Fish coached Felton throughout his entire high school career and has now watched three of his seniors sign scholarships to move on to college. Devin Fish signed with LaGrange College while Felton will be teaming back up with Keyton Reno next year as last season’s District MVP signed with the Bucks last month.
“Corban is a grinder and he has worked very hard to get to this moment,” said Fish. “Guys like him all they need is an opportunity and then they take it and go make it great.”
Brent Carden photo - Corban Felton leaves the court at the Dalt on senior night.
The work ethic behind Felton’s rise became legendary around those closest to him.
During his freshman year, he once shoveled snow just so he could clear a spot to continue shooting outside. Countless other hours were spent inside a church gym that was always available to him, often alongside his father, Paul, or cousin Trevor Wanamaker, who started training him around age 8.
“Between his dad and Trevor, the kid is addicted to basketball,” Kimberly Felton said.
Felton said his love for the game started around age 2 and only continued growing.
“I realized I wanted to play beyond high school my freshman year,” said Felton. “I understood that I would have to work every day to get where I wanted to be, and it paid off.”
Motlow felt like the perfect next step.
“The reason I chose Motlow was because it was a JUCO and I would not have to waste any of my NCAA years somewhere where I might not have the chance to play,” said Felton. “Motlow was also a place where my family would be able to watch every home game.”
He plans to major in business while studying sports management and real estate.
While all of Felton’s sights are set forward, he still can look back at plenty of good times with the Pioneers. And all his best times were about building the Brotherhood in Warren County.
“My favorite memory would have to be all of the activities that we would do outside of basketball,” said Felton. “Just spending time with the guys and making memories was definitely my favorite.”
Years ago, while attending a game at Charlie Dalton Gym as a child, Felton looked at the court and told his mother he would play there one day.
Back then, it sounded like a little kid dreaming big. But it turns out Felton has a way of turning his wildest imaginations into reality.
Today, with a Motlow State letter of intent in front of him and an auditorium full of supporters surrounding him, more big dreams from childhood will be realized.
Felton won’t have to imagine being a college basketball player this winter - he will be one.
