For The Tribune
Senior Mike Jones says one of the fun things about playing basketball at Medora has been being able to play with his twin brother, Matt, and younger brother, Skylar.
“I just like being out there with the family,” Mike said. “I enjoy playing a sport with someone I’ve always played with. My little brother (Skylar) and I used to play one-on-one at home, and when I was younger I would always win, but as he’s gotten older he’s way past me. He’s a better player than I’ll ever be.”
Mike and Matt don’t compete for playing time, since Mike plays under the basket while Matt is a guard.
Skylar is a freshman and plays mostly on the junior varsity.
Mike has started two games, but most of the time plays on the front line and passes the ball to open players.
“I’m more of a ball handler and get the ball to the high-scoring players,” he said. “If I’m open I will score. I’m more of a layup kind of guy.”
Jones has scored six points in five different games this season.
“I’m better, actually, on the left side on the post, but I usually play both sides,” he said. “I like playing against man better. When you’re in the post playing against a zone you’ve got two or three guys around you.”
Jones said he feels like the Hornets can adapt to opponents offenses.
“If the team is a fast-paced team I like playing zone better, but if they’re a slow team, I’m more of a man defense,” he said.
The senior has been playing basketball at Medora since at least the first grade.
The Hornets closed the regular season with four home games and Jones said he thinks the team is capable of putting some wins together to gain some momentum going into the West Washington Sectional next week.
“We need to get some wins here and play as hard as we can and show our fans how we can play,” Jones said. “I think practice is more important than games because if you don’t go hard in practice you won’t go hard during a game. One of the most important things is to trust everyone out there on the court.”
Jones said he looks forward to his senior year of track and plans to throw the shot put and discus again this spring.
“My favorite is the discus,” he said. “I didn’t get to throw last year. A good throw for me would be 150 feet.”
While some throwers use a glide approach, he likes to spin.
“You just need a good spin, good follow through and momentum,” Jones aid.
Jones said you have to make adjustments on your relief is it is a windy day.
“If you’re throwing into the wind it will slow it down, or if the discus gets too high the wind will bring it back down,” he said. “In the wind you have to throw more of a downwards arch.”
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Name: Mike Jones
Parents: Cathy and Joe Jones
Sibling: Matthew and Skylar
Sports: Basketball, four years; track, three years
Athletics awards: Rebounding award
Organizations: Spanish Club, Science Club, Sportsman Club, 4-H
Plans after high school: Military or college for industrial maintenance
Favorite food: Hamburgers
Favorite movie: “American Sniper”
Favorite team: Kentucky Wildcats
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Q: Do you enjoy attending MHS?
A: “Yes, I like it here. In basketball I’ll remember all my teammates, all the teams we’ve played against, everyone I’ve met, everyone I’ve played against.”
Q: What are the crowds like at basketball games?
A: “At the beginning of the season we had bigger crowds. We need to get the crowds back here at the end of the season.
Q: Do you have a favorite away gym?
A: “I like playing at Crothersville because I just want to win at Crothersville.
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