It’s no secret that the 6-foot-10 Shawn Spencer is the focal point of the Cascade Christian Cougars boys basketball team.

Spencer recently had an honor bestowed upon him that he likely will cherish for the rest of his life. He was nominated for the McDonald’s All-America game. Only 29 players from Washington were nominated for the game.

Cascade Christian head coach Jerry Williams said Spencer is only the second player in school history to be nominated for the game.

Spencer is averaging 17 points, 12.5 rebounds and 6.5 blocks per game. The numbers he’s putting up don’t surprise Williams.

“Every single year, Shawn has improved so much,” Williams said. “He is so much faster right now than he was in previous seasons. He is just having a phenomenal year for us.”

Williams said he expects Spencer to play college basketball at the NCAA Division II level, or at a small Division I school.

Spencer’s transformation on the hardwood is something I’ve witnessed first hand. During the 2010-11 season, he was a key reserve on a Cougars squad that won its second consecutive state title.

Back in those days, you could barely get a word out of Spencer on and off the court. Today, he is his team’s undisputed leader.

Spencer consistently shouts instructions and words of encouragement to his teammates on both ends of the floor, but he’s most vocal while he leads the Cougars’ 2-3 zone defense.

“Shawn is underneath the basket, directing traffic like a general out there,” Williams said last January.

Spencer is without question the general of the Cougars. They will only go as far as he takes them in the Class 1A playoffs this winter. I’m guessing he will lead his team to the Yakima SunDome for the state tournament this March.

Sports Editor Shaun Scott can be reached at 253-552-7002 or by email at shaun.scott@ puyallupherald.com. Follow him on Twitter, @herald_shaun.