It is no surprise Jalen Harris is a basketball player. In fact, one could argue he was born to do just that.

“Both my parents played,” Harris explained. “My mother played in college and my dad played as well.”

Harris said he started his round-ball education when he was three years old and has been perfecting his game ever since. His talents have really come to light in this, his junior season, at Hendrickson. He is averaging 16 points, two assists and two steals per game this season. Thanks in large part to his play, the Hawks are off to a solid start and seem primed to get back to the playoffs yet again.

“We are progressing,” Harris said. “I think we’re going better. We are improving every game.”

“Jalen is a one of our leaders,” Hawks coach Jim Reid said. “He plays extremely hard and has great focus. He has done an excellent job as our point guard. Not only is he a tremendous player, but he is an excellent student who is in all Pre-AP classes. He is involved in the PALS organization at Hendrickson. He is in National Honor Society. He is an extraordinary young man.”

The Hawks were basically a .500 team entering district play and so far have been .500 in district as well. However, they picked up a big win over Marble Falls last week and hope to be turning the corner in what is a very competitive district.

“We have to play a full game,” Harris said. “We haven’t done that. We have to keep our intensity up and make sure everyone contributes.”

This is Harris second year on varsity. While he enjoys all aspects of basketball he says he enjoys the competition the most.

“I love competing,” he said. “I really hate to lose.”

“My dad once told me that you can tell an All-American 10 years after they graduate,” Reid added. “I am confident that 10 years from now, Jalen will be considered All-American in whatever he does. I have no doubt that Jalen will make everyone he comes into contact with a better person. I am blessed to have coached him these past three years and look forward to his senior season.”

The Hawks have reached the playoffs every year they have had a varsity team. Harris hopes this year’s squad does not break that streak and they are able to make it six years in a row.

“We want to get as deep into the playoffs as we can,” he said. “We want to be successful as a team.”

Asked what the key to this success would be, Harris responded, that each Hawk must do their part.

“Everyone has to contribute,” he said. “We all have to do what we can do.”