OBSERVER Photo by Ron Szot

BROCTON — The Chautauqua Hurricane have found their new shooter this season, and he is taking the league by storm.

Hurricane guard David Blanks has been nominated for the 2019 NABL MVP award. Blanks, who set a record with 14 three-pointers in a 45-point performance on March 23 in a 138-76 win against the Buffalo Bluehawks, is one of six finalists for the MVP.

“He’s our designated shooter,” said Chautauqua Hurricane head coach Jerome Moss of Blanks. “He picks us up when we’re lagging.”

Blanks is playing his first season as a member of the Hurricane, and it did not take long for him to make an impact on his new club.

“David could probably go for 45 every game,” said Coach Moss.

Although he has been described as the Hurricane’s sharpshooter, Blanks still plays his role within the team, which is what has led to his success in his first season with the Hurricane. His confidence level is always at its max, and that does wonders for the team’s performance, as well. Blanks’ leadership when the team struggles to find its rhythm is key to the Hurricane’s success.

Blanks’ success has also been recognized beyond the MVP nomination. He and teammate Ralph Williams will be attending the Coast2Coast International Basketball Showcase camp in Las Vegas later this summer. Blanks and Williams both received invitations from the league to attend this camp, where coaches and scouts from across the country and overseas will be in attendance — similar to a pre-draft combine.

The Hurricane have one more game remaining before the playoffs, where they will take on the Detroit Cobras on June 15. Once playoffs start, Coach Moss says his team will take it one game at a time, and whoever they play, they will be ready for.