Representing Jamaica at the under-17 and under-20 levels, Reno’s Draion McNain can never be accused of not growing as a player. The first time I saw the striker, he was a player of very slim build but already showed he had a heart bigger than most.

Playing for Manning’s High School, one of the oldest and most proud institutions in the Island, McNain almost single handedly took on the back-line of Glenmuir High School in a famous semi-final three years ago, and was such a bright spark that the following season he was drafted into the Glenmuir team by then national under-17 coach, Jackie Walters.

From there, McNain began to grow as a player. While still slim in build, he got stronger and faster, developed an eye for goal, started kicking the ball more fiercely, but most of all, began to realize his true potential and began to strive for that potential with the ambition it takes to make it at the highest level.

The first sign that the youngster was an ambitious player was when he turned out for Reno the year after he played his last season for Manning’s. So prodigious was his talent that it was not long before he commanded a place in the former Premier League champions’ starting line-up more often than not.

Soon enough he was scoring goals and was a big part of Reno’s third place finish last season. As a matter of fact, it could have been an even bigger season for Reno, except things went a little pear shaped for them in the competition’s final round.

This time around they aren’t finding it easy to play well as teams have been very closely bunched and a win this season is even more prized than it was in the last one. As a matter of fact, so bad has Reno’s season been that with 27 games played, they are now struggling in second to last place with only August Town looking up at them.

However, McNain has been one of the constants, scoring goals on occasion but always bringing that ambition to the park that was such a pleasing change to the league last season.

As a matter of fact, with Reno getting at least a goal a game with 29 from 27, McNain cannot be blamed for their position, as he has stuck to his end of the bargain. However, at the other end of the park, where they have conceded 40 goals, some work needs to be done, as only August Town and Sporting Central have been worse.

Intelligent off the ball, confident on it, McNain will have to be counted on to pull Reno out of the hole they are in and with tough games against Tivoli Gardens and Portmore United still to come, he will have to be at his best.

Whether or not Reno do pull themselves to shore this season, I am almost sure we will not be seeing the last of this striker, as he has great potential, and his ability is such that other coaches around the league better pay attention to him if he ever goes onto the players market.