The Daily Reflector
Thursday, December 6, 2018
It’s not uncommon for students at John Paul II Catholic High School to congratulate 6-foot-4 junior guard Jordan Yarrell on a great performance. The leader of the Saints is a true utility player, working on becoming even more of a leader of the small squad. Athletic Director Sean Murphy describes Yarrell as the team’s “go-to guy.” Yarrell also excels in the classroom as he begins to enter into the college recruiting process. Yarrell spoke with preps beat writer Jake Keator about his game and the JPII basketball experience.
Q: How did you get started in basketball?
A: “I started when I was three years old. My dad was in the Air Force and he was on base and he got me into little league and I’ve been playing ever since.”
Q: What’s it been like playing with JPII?
A: “The experience is like college, because it’s a college prep school. So you have to focus on your academics because as soon as you slip you can’t play. It makes you focus on time management.”
Q: You seem comfortable as either a point or a shooting guard. What do you feel is your natural spot on the floor? What’s it like being the leader of this young team?
A: “I’d say shooting guard is my natural spot. It’s good being the leader, but it’s also a lot of pressure. My dad says, ‘When you win, it’s all good and happy, but when you lose everyone gets on you.’ But I have great teammates and we win and lose as a team.”
Q: What do you believe is the best part of your game, and what is the facet you want to work on improving this season?
A: “I’d have to say the best part of my game is opening my teammates up, the drive and kick out, and being able to get them into scoring position. The part I want to work on more is my leadership on the court.”
Q: If you had to use three words to describe a JPII basketball game what words would you use?
A: “Exciting, back-and-forth, and I don’t know how to best describe the last one. When you leave the game you’re going to want to come back and watch another one.”
Q: “If you could give advice to younger athletes who aim to play at the next level what would it be?
A: “Focus on books and academics first, and then basketball. If you want to play at the next level you have practice a lot and work on your game. You can’t give half effort and think you’re going to make it. It doesn’t work like that.”
Thursday, December 6, 2018
It’s not uncommon for students at John Paul II Catholic High School to congratulate 6-foot-4 junior guard Jordan Yarrell on a great performance. The leader of the Saints is a true utility player, working on becoming even more of a leader of the small squad. Athletic Director Sean Murphy describes Yarrell as the team’s “go-to guy.” Yarrell also excels in the classroom as he begins to enter into the college recruiting process. Yarrell spoke with preps beat writer Jake Keator about his game and the JPII basketball experience.
Q: How did you get started in basketball?
A: “I started when I was three years old. My dad was in the Air Force and he was on base and he got me into little league and I’ve been playing ever since.”
Q: What’s it been like playing with JPII?
A: “The experience is like college, because it’s a college prep school. So you have to focus on your academics because as soon as you slip you can’t play. It makes you focus on time management.”
Q: You seem comfortable as either a point or a shooting guard. What do you feel is your natural spot on the floor? What’s it like being the leader of this young team?
A: “I’d say shooting guard is my natural spot. It’s good being the leader, but it’s also a lot of pressure. My dad says, ‘When you win, it’s all good and happy, but when you lose everyone gets on you.’ But I have great teammates and we win and lose as a team.”
Q: What do you believe is the best part of your game, and what is the facet you want to work on improving this season?
A: “I’d have to say the best part of my game is opening my teammates up, the drive and kick out, and being able to get them into scoring position. The part I want to work on more is my leadership on the court.”
Q: If you had to use three words to describe a JPII basketball game what words would you use?
A: “Exciting, back-and-forth, and I don’t know how to best describe the last one. When you leave the game you’re going to want to come back and watch another one.”
Q: “If you could give advice to younger athletes who aim to play at the next level what would it be?
A: “Focus on books and academics first, and then basketball. If you want to play at the next level you have practice a lot and work on your game. You can’t give half effort and think you’re going to make it. It doesn’t work like that.”
