Change is nothing new for Kiair Crouch.

It doesn’t matter if it involves going to a different state or moving into a new school district Crouch adapts to make the best of the situation.

This season, he is settling in just fine as Berkmar High’s new point guard. The unsigned senior is feeling at home as he adjusts to a new role, new responsibilities and a new coach.

“I have to be more vocal, even though I haven’t been there long,” Crouch said. “Now that I have my team, I have to get used to making things happen.”

When Crouch makes that statement it is not a knock on Columbia High, his old school. As a member of the Eagles, his role was to play defense and cause as much disruption on the basketball court as possible. This was the role he needed to fill with, as his teammates at the time were Auburn’s Tahj Shamsid Deen and recent Minnesota signee Nate Mason.

However, instead of staying in DeKalb County, Crouch’s family moved to Gwinnett and landed at Berkmar (6-2). He has a new role and different responsibilities for a team looking to make waves in AAAAAA.

“Now that I have moved on, I can become more of a point guard,” Crouch said.

Being in transition is nothing new for the Syracuse, New York native. The 5-foot-10 lightening bug has only known one speed – fast. He played basketball in a free run style with little control or direction. No, that doesn’t mean he didn’t listen – he just played basketball period.

“I never seen him play before he came over,” Berkmar coach Greg Phillips said. “I heard stories of how good he was.”

Crouch’s fearless approach to the sport made the move from Central New York to life in DeKalb easy. He just wanted to play ball and fast. Crouch provided energy and excitement to a Columbia program that already had some quick guards.

“Down here there was more of an up-tempo style of play,” said Crouch of his transition. “Now, coming from Columbia, it is just tougher in DeKalb than it is in Gwinnett. So, I have to bring that mental toughness to my team.”

His hunger for knowledge, direction and winning is something Crouch has always had. Being under Phillips is something new and refreshing.

“He has made me become a really good basketball player,” Crouch said. “At first, I was just going 100 miles per hour. He has calmed me down where I now know when to run and when to run plays.”

Crouch never had those responsibilities. He always watched Shamsid-Deen and Mason have those roles. However, Crouch was paying attention to those two guys games and has added the pull-up jumper to his arsenal like the others. Like his floor skills and leadership, Crouch’s perimeter game is coming along just nicely.

“His jumper has changed his game,” Phillips said. “He’s coachable. I am just trying to provide some structure to his game.”

Crouch is taking in all the advice and lessons as he looks to make the next move into the collegiate ranks some day.

“I need to step it up because it is my time,” he said.