Whatever it takes
Cade East paid his dues to become a vital part of Plainfield boys basketball program
By Mike Beas
Cade East isn’t a basketball player whose arrival was met with great anticipation his ninth-grade year at Plainfield High School. However, through hard work and perseverance the 6-3 senior forward has stair-stepped his way to where he is today.
East played for the Quakers freshman squad, emerged as a dependable junior varsity contributor the following winter and played an important role in helping the 2018-19 varsity post the program’s best record in two decades.
In other words, he paid his dues.
East is one of four captains coach Andy Weaver counts on to maintain Plainfield’s momentum after posting a 19-6 mark last season. It was the Quakers’ third consecutive winning season and best mark since the Class 3A state championship club of 1998-99 that finished 26-2.
“I think I’m definitely going to be an important leader. I pretty much do a little bit of everything and not one specific thing well,” East said. “I definitely try to take pride in my defense, but I think my role on offense will increase because we graduated our two leading scorers from last year.”
The leader also recognizes his strengths to help his squad.
“I like to attack the basket, and I think I have a good IQ when it comes to passing.”
Plainfield’s other captains are junior Aidan Booher and seniors Mason Naaman and Brayton Blackwell. The 6-4 Booher, a point guard, is Plainfield’s top returning scorer from a year ago at 9.5 points per game; East ranked fourth on last year’s team in both scoring (7.5) and rebounds (2.7).
“Cade is kind of our glue guy. He’s a senior who plays on the wing and is one of our tougher, grittier players,” said Weaver, now in his eighth season. “He’s a kid I call a program player. He’s stayed the course and believes in our program. Cade will sacrifice anything individually for the sake of the program.
“On our current team, there are a lot of guys like Cade who are all about winning. You better bring your lunch pail every day, or you might lose some minutes.”
East approaches everything he does with the same blue-collar mentality, including academics. He maintains a 4.1 grade-point average and plans to attend Indiana University to major in business or political science. East also excels on the tennis court, teaming this past season with classmate Cam Chafin to advance to the Fishers Regional in doubles before losing to a tandem from Hamilton Southeastern, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.
On the basketball court, East scored in double-figures on six occasions as a junior, including a career-best 22 points in the Quakers’ 71-58 victory over Tri-West. This winter, he’s being counted on to do whatever it takes to help his team succeed whether it’s points, boards, assists, steals or setting the right example for younger teammates.
A fourth straight winning season hangs in the balance.
