By Keith Rivers
Middle Stew Reporter
MUFREESBORO, Tenn. - - As the cheer of
the crowd begins to sound like a giant roar from a young lion, Number 222 of
the MT Men’s Basketball team rushes out of the dressing room like fire is on
his heels.
To Shawn Jones,“It’s just another night
in the spot light.” Being one of three of his intermediate family to enter
college, Jones has only one thing on his mind: success.
Jones
had an amazing game on Nov. 24, scoring 21 points and 13 rebounds to help the
Blue Raiders beat Texas Southern, 79-52.
“Ever
since I was the age of five, I have known that basketball was my passion,” he
said.
While
growing up, Shawn was always the smallest kid in his neighborhood. He would get
home from school everyday, heading straight to the neighbors house to play
basketball.
“My
mother used to tell me to do my homework first, but I wanted to play,” he said.
In order to get better at playing
basketball, Jones would play in the summer leagues to enhance his skills.
Playing
college basketball was a new experience for Jones. He had to adapt to the large
crowds and all the training that would undergo with his newfound teammates.
“I work hard, so I can play hard,” he
noted.
In
order to become more focused before the games, Jones would play music through
his Beat headphones and tune out all of life’s distractions. This was a
technique he learned from his uncle while playing middle school sports.
“My
uncle told me to free myself from trouble or worry so that I could play like a
champion,” he added.
Jones’
motivation comes from the idea of being able to take care of his mother and
siblings.
“My
siblings and mother are my heart,” he said. “ I look forward to being able to
supply them with their wants. Tonight I scored my new high of 21 points,
because I was born to play.”
###
No comments:
Post a Comment