Post by TEAM FALCON on Dec 29, 2006 19:48:30 GMT 3
What a great start. Keep up the good work guys.
No Ordinary Joe
Senior guard has led Los Fresnos to 12-4 record
BY JARRET JOHNSON
Special To The Herald
LOS FRESNOS — December 29, 2006 — Many dominant athletes rely on their great physical talent for success.
God given abilities such as superior size, strength and speed allow many to dominate their sport.
Then, there are individuals such as Los Fresnos senior point guard Joe Leija, who has become one of the premiere basketball players in District 32-5A through hard work and intelligent play.
Leija’s unassuming nature and 6-foot-2 frame hardly give him the look of a top high school athlete. Coincidentally, it is Leija who leads the Falcons in three categories – averaging almost 18 points, three assists and three steals per game.
“He is a tremendously polite, good kid and at first sight you wouldn’t think he could light you up for 30,” Los Fresnos coach Shawn Jones said. “He wasn’t blessed with a 6-8 body, but he has a big heart and absolutely refuses to lose.”
And it has been Leija’s determination, and more importantly timing, that has made a lasting mark. While he is not leading the Falcons to blow-out wins over inferior teams, he is willing them to nail biting victories against quality opponents by consistently making big plays in crunch time.
One example came back on Dec. 12 against Harlingen South when the Falcons trailed the Hawks by two with 20 seconds left in overtime.
Leija stole the ball and made the game tying lay up, and after a stop on the defensive end, teammate Jaime Muñoz made the game winning shot to give Los Fresnos a 61-59 win.
Four days earlier, Leija’s heroics were again well at work in the Elgin Tournament as he made a last second shot to defeat Killeen Ellison 49-47. Leija topped his performance in the semifinals by pouring in 27 to beat Brenham 73-70 in overtime.
A self-described gym rat, Leija’s thoughts are always on the game.
“I just like playing ball,” Leija said. “School and basketball is really all I do. If I am not playing ball, then I am watching it or thinking about it.”
Leija’ teammate, Muñoz, agreed.
“Joe is always working on his game, always challenging all of us (to do the same),” he said. “He lives, eats and breathes basketball.”
It is not surprising that his favorite basketball player’s of all time are Michael Jordan and Dwayne Wade. While both were blessed with physical tools, it is their competitive spirit and will that have set them apart.
Leija can not remember being introduced to basketball, but he knows what laid the foundation for his success.
“Playing ball in the neighborhood with older kids made me experience a lot of things early,” he said. “They were in high school when I was in middle school; they showed me some stuff and helped me with my game.”
Maybe backyard battles with older kids helped him hone his competitive edge early, but Leija and the Falcons have lofty goals now. While Leija is one of the leaders, Los Fresnos is no one-man show. Fellow seniors Muñoz and Bobby Williams, who each average eight points a game, share the backcourt and one common goal with Leija: an undefeated district championship season.
One advantage the Falcons are banking on is team chemistry. Many of the guys have played together for years and anticipate what the other is going to do on the court.
“We are all friends. We have been teammates since the eighth grade,” Williams said.
Team chemistry should carry Los Fresnos far, but in order for the Falcons to win the 32-5A crown, Leija might have to have a few more late game heroics to capture the school’s first 5A district title.
“It’s not going to be easy,” Leija said. “We have to come out ready to play every night, play defense and practice hard.”
No Ordinary Joe
Senior guard has led Los Fresnos to 12-4 record
BY JARRET JOHNSON
Special To The Herald
LOS FRESNOS — December 29, 2006 — Many dominant athletes rely on their great physical talent for success.
God given abilities such as superior size, strength and speed allow many to dominate their sport.
Then, there are individuals such as Los Fresnos senior point guard Joe Leija, who has become one of the premiere basketball players in District 32-5A through hard work and intelligent play.
Leija’s unassuming nature and 6-foot-2 frame hardly give him the look of a top high school athlete. Coincidentally, it is Leija who leads the Falcons in three categories – averaging almost 18 points, three assists and three steals per game.
“He is a tremendously polite, good kid and at first sight you wouldn’t think he could light you up for 30,” Los Fresnos coach Shawn Jones said. “He wasn’t blessed with a 6-8 body, but he has a big heart and absolutely refuses to lose.”
And it has been Leija’s determination, and more importantly timing, that has made a lasting mark. While he is not leading the Falcons to blow-out wins over inferior teams, he is willing them to nail biting victories against quality opponents by consistently making big plays in crunch time.
One example came back on Dec. 12 against Harlingen South when the Falcons trailed the Hawks by two with 20 seconds left in overtime.
Leija stole the ball and made the game tying lay up, and after a stop on the defensive end, teammate Jaime Muñoz made the game winning shot to give Los Fresnos a 61-59 win.
Four days earlier, Leija’s heroics were again well at work in the Elgin Tournament as he made a last second shot to defeat Killeen Ellison 49-47. Leija topped his performance in the semifinals by pouring in 27 to beat Brenham 73-70 in overtime.
A self-described gym rat, Leija’s thoughts are always on the game.
“I just like playing ball,” Leija said. “School and basketball is really all I do. If I am not playing ball, then I am watching it or thinking about it.”
Leija’ teammate, Muñoz, agreed.
“Joe is always working on his game, always challenging all of us (to do the same),” he said. “He lives, eats and breathes basketball.”
It is not surprising that his favorite basketball player’s of all time are Michael Jordan and Dwayne Wade. While both were blessed with physical tools, it is their competitive spirit and will that have set them apart.
Leija can not remember being introduced to basketball, but he knows what laid the foundation for his success.
“Playing ball in the neighborhood with older kids made me experience a lot of things early,” he said. “They were in high school when I was in middle school; they showed me some stuff and helped me with my game.”
Maybe backyard battles with older kids helped him hone his competitive edge early, but Leija and the Falcons have lofty goals now. While Leija is one of the leaders, Los Fresnos is no one-man show. Fellow seniors Muñoz and Bobby Williams, who each average eight points a game, share the backcourt and one common goal with Leija: an undefeated district championship season.
One advantage the Falcons are banking on is team chemistry. Many of the guys have played together for years and anticipate what the other is going to do on the court.
“We are all friends. We have been teammates since the eighth grade,” Williams said.
Team chemistry should carry Los Fresnos far, but in order for the Falcons to win the 32-5A crown, Leija might have to have a few more late game heroics to capture the school’s first 5A district title.
“It’s not going to be easy,” Leija said. “We have to come out ready to play every night, play defense and practice hard.”