WINDSOR – Those who study birds tell us the vision of a Falcon is two times greater than that of a human.

Maybe that’s why Kent Bazemore saw things years ago that came to light years later.

Seven years removed from running up and down the hardwood at Bertie High School, the Kelford native – now entering his third year of professional basketball – had such vision.

“Sure, I want to go to the NBA,” he said as part of a video presentation. “It’s a different type of competition, and you’ve got to work hard at it.”

Bazemore passed along similar remarks at the annual Bertie County Schools Convocation of which a portion of the program included the retirement of Bazemore’s Bertie High School jersey – the first to be displayed in the new Bertie High School gymnasium lobby.

The Tuesday morning program included tributes to Bazemore from those he credits with most enhancing his vision and encouraging his desire along the way from his rural Bertie County hometown to his collegiate days at Old DominionUniversity in Norfolk, VA.

“Kent didn’t realize it back when I was coaching him, I was really a fan as well,” said former Falcon basketball coach Calvin Moore – now principal of Bertie Early College High School.

Chris Towell, a Hertford County high teacher and baseball coach, who together with John Wolfe helped start the AAU program for Roanoke-Chowan area players, said drive and motivation helped define Bazemore as a player in his program.

“I had a belief that my job was to get you to the next door,” Towell said. “What you did beyond that door was up to you; and this young man kicked down every door he’s seen. As much as this means to him, it means even more to us.”

“You’ve got a chance to do something special,” said former college coach John Richardson, Jr. – back as an assistant at Old Dominion – and himself a Bertie High grad. “There’re a lot of people in this world that dream, but they don’t understand the sacrifice to get to that dream.  We had teachers that pushed us, and Kent Bazemore put in the hard work and the sweat equity to get there and maximize his potential.”

Richardson then gestured to the students seated before the dais, emphasizing the school system theme of: ‘It takes a whole village to raise a child’.

“And you have a chance to reach that dream as well,” the coach extolled. “When you have supportive parents like the Bazemores you see a product like Kent.”

Following the platitudes, Bazemore entered to thunderous applause from the crowd.

“Wow,” he joked. “I feel like LeBron James up here.”

Bazemore held his first ever skills camp for youngsters at the site a week ago and paid back the respect Bertie has afforded him.

“It’s not where you’re from,” he began, “it’s your passion for whatever you want to do and be relentless about it. Nothing overcomes will and you guys are a big part of that. You are my 99 percent and I make up only one percent.  The village will take you a very long way.”

Bazemore then joined his immediate family: father, Kent Sr., mother, Glynis, and brother Wykevin – a senior player for CIAA-member, Winston-SalemState – on the stage, along with his former coaches and players.  As they stood by, former and current Falcon athletic directors Marvin Rankins and Randy Whitaker assisted Moore with the unveiling of a huge framed Bertie jersey: the first to be displayed in the gym lobby.

“This is just a start,” said Moore, pointing to the students, “because we have so many Bertie alumni that this can happen for, and they’re right here.”