JE senior becomes fifth boys' basketball player to reach 1,000 points

Jordan-Elbridge High School senior Jeremiah Sparks became the fifth boys’ basketball player in school history to reach 1,000 points for his career this year. He also did it in just two years.

Sparks led all of Section III in scoring this year as he averaged 29.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.7 blocks per game. His 640 points were the most in a single season in JE history.

Coach James Best said he led the team in every statistical category except blocked shots.

“He had a career-high of 43 points against Solvay. He scored over 40 points three times, he scored over 30 points 12 times and his lowest scoring game of the season was 16 points. To put that in perspective, there were only two other players in our league that averaged more than 16 points per game.”

“Jeremiah was our unquestioned leader and a coach on the court. He was blessed with tremendous athleticism, but what separates him from other athletes is his willingness to get in the gym and work on his skills.

“He never missed an offseason workout. The success that Jeremiah had on the court was a direct result of the hard work and sacrifices that he made in the offseason.”

Sparks also led Section III in scoring during the football season.

He attributes his athletic success to the support of his teammates, coaches and the community.

“The community helped raise me when I was younger and kept me involved in sports,” he said. “Now, I really have a love for it.”

Sparks said he would have loved for the team to win a Sectional title in basketball, but one of his future goals includes winning the Athlete of the Year.

“All of this means a lot. Everyone has helped me grow so much, and I think scoring 1,000 shows that,” he added.