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Q&A: Future Gopher Cedric Tomes Talks Recent 50 Point Game, Excitement of Playing for Hometown Team
Q&A: Future Gopher Cedric Tomes Talks Recent 50 Point Game, Excitement of Playing for Hometown Team - GopherHole.com
Cedric Tomes, a 6-foot senior guard from East Ridge High School, was a top recruit for Coach Niko Medved when he arrived on campus. Tomes has a long relationship with Gopher assistant Dave Thorson and the Medved hire cemented the decision to stay home after offers from Iowa State, Oklahoma, and...
Cedric Tomes, a 6-foot senior guard from East Ridge High School, was a top recruit for Coach Niko Medved when he arrived on campus. Tomes has a long relationship with Gopher assistant Dave Thorson and the Medved hire cemented the decision to stay home after offers from Iowa State, Oklahoma, and others.
A two-sport athlete, Tomes broke a finger as QB in his senior season this past Fall. But he’s healthy now and a recent 50 point performance against Totino Grace has Tomes atop of Minnesota’s Mr. Basketball list.
GopherHole recently caught up with Tomes to learn about his decision to play for the Gophers, his recent 50 point game and his excitement to help build the Gopher program with fellow Minnesotan Nolen Anderson.
GopherHole: First off, congrats on your commitment to the Gophers. What does it mean to you to play for your home state?
Cedric Tomes: It’s amazing. I have always been a hometown kid and dreamt of this, and seeing it all come together and being able to play for Coach Medved’s new culture, and what he is building, it’s an incredible feeling.
GopherHole: You and Nolen Anderson are the cornerstone of in-state recruits helping build the Medved Era. Have you two talked about what it will be like to help turn around the Gopher program?
Cedric Tomes: Oh yeah, and Coach has talked to us about what he envisions for the future and what he’s building. We just want to continue to help the program in all aspects that we can, and help the guys on the team build something special together.
GopherHole: In recent interviews, you’ve talked highly of Coach Medved. What drew you to play under his program?
Cedric Tomes: Oh yeah, what he believes in and how he treats his players. He really sees the best in them, and he’s able to point out what he thinks you can improve on, but also what you do well, and that really stood out to me. And obviously, that just goes with the culture he’s building and what he envisions for the program, which is ultimately a great fit for myself.
GopherHole: You’ve known Coach Thorson for many years. What do you look forward to learning from him?
Cedric Tomes: Yeah, I’ve known Coach Thorson for a long time now and just getting to play for him and the relationship we’ve built, it’ll be a great experience. I can’t wait to take away all the lessons he’s willing to teach me as a player and then just put that into my game and improve myself on and off the court.
GopherHole: What has been the hardest part about balancing both football and basketball?
Cedric Tomes: I’d say the balance of work ethic between both. Obviously, basketball has always been my primary sport, so my focus is on that. But during football season, I was very devoted to the team and my guys, and it was fun to get out there one last season while still getting better at basketball and getting ready for my senior season and heading into my freshman season with the Gophers.
GopherHole: When did you know you wanted to pursue basketball over football?
Cedric Tomes: I’d say probably since freshman year, I got into varsity basketball really early on, and I could really tell what I was capable of, and then after that, I was able to connect with the U of M coaching staff, and from there, I just knew it was right.
GopherHole: You had a fantastic game this past week, scoring 50 points. At what point in the game did you realize you were putting together a legendary game?
Cedric Tomes: I never really realized it. I knew our team was playing well, just through the scoreboard, we were winning most of the game, and I was happy about that. We kept our energy high, and then I was just making the right plays, making the right reads, and the guys trusted me, and the score reflected that. And I found out after the game, it was pretty cool to see.
GopherHole: Is there anything you want to add to your game before you enter college in the fall?
Cedric Tomes: I’d say the just continuing to get better at the little things, like all the skills it takes to be a basketball player. But also building strength and speed for my body to get ready for the next level as well.
GopherHole: what are you most excited for when playing for the Gophers?
Cedric Tomes: Yeah, I’m most excited to get down there and be a part of the team and really build that connection with the team and coaches and then show what I can do out there and just continue to build a good culture down there.
GopherHole: As you watch the Gophers start 2-1 in the Big Ten with big wins over Indiana and Northwestern, what excites you as you watch the improvement of this team?
Cedric Tomes: Yeah, its great seeing those big wins. And seeing how they celebrate and how they get excited over Gopher Basketball. Especially going down there soon it’ll be a good time to be down there and I just couldn’t be more excited.
GopherHole: Is there a quote or saying you draw motivation from?
Cedric Tomes: I wouldn’t say necessarily a quote, but I just say I’m really focused on the work and the effort it takes to get places, and there’s not much you can do without hard work in life, which is important to me and something I’ve always been told.
GopherHole: Four years down the road, how do you want to be remembered as a Gopher?
Cedric Tomes: I really want people to know I was devoted to Minnesota, and I grew up with that dream and went through with it, and I want to show that I care about the home state, and it’ll be fun to rep that every chance that I get.
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