Boys basketball captain senior Jordan Stribling shares how becoming captain has taught him teamwork and sportsmanship. "You can't just try to take over a game, you have to include the whole team or else the team doesn't work out," Stribling said. Photo by Rohan Portteus.
By Rohan Portteus
With a Chipotle burrito and fountain drink in hand, boys basketball captain senior Jordan Stribling prepares for the game with his favorite pregame ritual.
Stribling has been playing basketball for over 13 years, starting on the local YMCA team and over time working his way up to the captain seat of the school team.
"As a captain, all the players look up to you,” Stribling said. “Anytime there's a problem, the coaches come to you and they'll ask you what we need to change about practice or [if there’s] anything we can do to make the team better.”
Stribling views his captain position as an opportunity to help train the next generations of Scotties.
"[Co-captain] Jacob Ariyo and I are the only two people that were also on the [varsity] team last year,” Stribling said. “This year we have eight new guys.”
Although the new set of teammates presents its own challenges, the players are motivated to have an even better season than the year prior.
"Our height and skillset are really high, and we can still have a really good season," Stribling said.
Being captain comes with many responsibilities including speaking at pep rallies and acting as the coach's right hand, but it is difficult to manage the responsibilities with school work.
"Anytime there's a problem, the coaches come to [us] and ask what we need to change about practice or [if there’s] anything we can do to make the team better.”
"Highland Park is a hard school as it is,” Stribling said. “I'm always busy and I'm never able to just take off. It's a hard balance.”
Like many student-athletes, Stribling had dealt with a crippling dilemma of whether to prioritize academics or sports.
"I must say it's pretty bad, but I prioritize sports over academics," Stribling said. "I still try in school, but because my future is in sports, I prioritize where I think my future is going.”
Although Stribling has always enjoyed basketball, he is going a different route in his recruitment process.
"I'm already committed to baseball, so I'm not looking to get recruited for basketball," Stribling said.
These days, Stribling uses his time on the court as a way to destress and enjoy some time to just think.
"Basketball is like a hobby to me almost,” Stribling said. “I enjoy it so much that I just stick with it, and continue to stick with it."
This upcoming season, Stribling is going in with the same mantra his coach gave them years ago.
"I truly believe that if we work hard every day, we have a great week. A great week can turn into multiple great weeks, which turns into a great month,” Stribling said. “A great month turns into a great year. Without a great year, then we'll just do the average, which is not what I particularly like.”