RAF ALCONBURY, England — Early in the season the Menwith Hill basketball team suffered a setback when team captain Josh Willis broke his wrist after an awkward fall.

Not only did the Mustangs lose a good player, they also lost a leader.

So Chris Jackson, a 5-foot-7-inch junior point guard, stepped up to be the new captain and fill the leadership vacancy. And because he had played basketball since he was a young boy growing up in San Angelo, Texas, taking on the added responsibility of managing the team’s on-court activities was a natural for the 17-year-old.

“When I have the ball it’s just me and the team out on the court,” Jackson explained. “I don’t really see anything else.”

Through 11 games this year Jackson has averaged approximately 15 points, eight rebounds, five assists and five steals per game, according to Menwith Hill coach Greg DeJardin. On defense, Jackson’s quickness is often a nuisance for opposing teams, DeJardin added.

In a recent matchup against Rota during a series of games involving Division III teams at RAF Alconbury, Jackson guarded 6’5” all-Europe standout Tre’von Owens. Although Owens did little wrong during Rota’s six games, Jackson was able to use his quickness and cunning to draw four charging penalties — Owens’ only fouls of the game, according to DeJardin.

Throughout the season, DeJardin has worked with Jackson to help him maintain his composure during games and to focus on his duties at the point guard position.

“He’s really competitive, and we’ve worked on keeping his attitude and emotions in check,” said the Mustangs’ first-year coach. “He’s a positive leader, and I’m really proud of the way he’s played.”

Jackson is a true point guard who sees the court well and really has a nose for the ball. “He’s a thinking basketball player,” he said.

As both a point guard and leader, DeJardin added, Jackson has to manage where the rest of the team needs to be on the court. His excellent stamina means he generally plays the entire game without a break.

This season the Mustangs are a young group — more than half of the team’s nine players are underclassmen. That can cause problems

“We get shaky as a team sometimes when we play better teams,” Jackson said.

Despite the Mustangs’ losing record — they are 1-8 against DODDS-sanctioned opposition — Jackson remains confident that the Mustangs can do some damage, even win, the division title at the DODDS-Europe championships in Mannheim, Feb. 23-26.

“I like the fact that you can be the underdog and still come out on top for the win,” he said.

For the Mustangs, nothing would be sweeter than to bring the title back to the sleepy North Yorkshire base in England. DeJardin often reminds his players of his philosophy — “to hit our stride at the right time” — when thinking about the tournament.

Jackson said he is looking forward to a meeting with division rival Sigonella at the tournament because of their all-European point guard Larry Stevenson. “He’s a good all-around player and it’ll be my job to lock him down,” Jackson said.

Jackson said he enjoys basketball so much he has considered playing it exclusively during his senior season next year. If that is the case, other Menwith Hill sports teams will miss his presence on the football field, soccer pitch and track.

But it is something Jackson believes he has to do to improve his game, and his chances for eventually playing college basketball in Division II.

hodged@estripes.osd.mil

Migrated