After making a big leap on the basketball court last season, Washington-Marion’s Kishaun Stevens is looking forward to playing a lead role for the Charging Indians this season.

Stevens, a 6-foot-3 senior forward, improved his scoring from five to 13 points per game last year while also establishing himself as the team’s best and most versatile defensive player. He helped guide the Charging Indians to a second consecutive District 3-4A title.

“I’ve had fun, enjoying the time with my teammates and winning district two years in a row,” Stevens said. “My favorite game so far was our home playoff game against Rayne (a W-M double-overtime win). I like the way both teams competed and how my team never gave up. We fought hard through the whole game and never let up.”

Stevens scored 10 points in that game and looks to make an impact at both ends of the floor.

“I want to say defense is my strong suit,” he said. “I can score the ball too, driving to the rim and I can shoot. I treat offense and defense equally; I play just as hard on both ends and try to be a two-way player. Defensively, I am a good shot-blocker and can protect the rim. I can block out and get rebounds.”

Stevens said he expects to spend time inside this season, helping the Charging Indians overcome a height disadvantage.

“Our speed and defense will be our strengths,” he said. “We will be undersized so we’ll have to make up for that and do the best we can to match up with bigger teams.”

Stevens said he hopes to pass on lessons learned from former W-M stars.

“My sophomore year we had Jamaar Moore, Braylin Turpeau, Jordan Flagg and Gerard Stewart and some other guys, a big senior class,” he said. “I learned a lot just by competing against them every day at practice, knowing I would get better by going against the best. They were role models and leaders on and off the court. I watched what they did and tried to bring it to my game.

“I’m trying to be a leader on and off the court, try to guide (younger teammates) in the right direction. I try to coach them up based on what I know to help make them successful.”

W-M head coach Robert Palmer said Stevens brings a lot to the table on and off the floor.

“He is our best mid-range shooter and can get to the rim,” Palmer said.

“On defense he can guard anyone, one through five. Off the floor, he has matured a lot. He isn’t much of a talker, but he shows the others what they need to do by his actions.”