A month ago, Kendall Crute had cancer removed from his body.

On Tuesday night, the North Cobb Christian senior guard was on the hardwood playing like the doctors never put an instrument into his lung to remove the disease.

Pay no attention to the fact he scored 30 points in North Cobb Christian's 78-34 win over Collins Hill at the Jared Cook Tip-Off Classic. Pay no attention to the fact he hit five straight three-pointers in five possessions. Pay no attention to the fact he scored 20 points in the third quarter. All of that was fun to watch. But all of that doesn't matter, really.

A month ago, Crute was just hoping he'd be back at school with his friends and teammates. But playing in a game? In November? And starring?

"Not a chance," North Cobb Christian head coach Greg Matta said. "I didn't think we'd have him even back on the court in December or maybe even January."

Crute, who just signed to play hoops at Ohio University, has been great at the Jared Cook Tip-Off Classic, an event that benefits the Susan G. Komen Foundation. He insists he's even better now since the surgery.

"You know what's funny," Crute asked almost introspectively, "I actually feel stronger, healthier and in even better shape. It's a blessing.  

"My first game back I was just thankful. My doctors told me to just take it easy. They said to just play around the three-point line."

Sometimes the doctors do know best.