High School Look Back: Jacob Howard (Warren East)
Warren East High School’s Jacob Howard may of not set records during his time playing high school basketball, but he made the game fun for everyone around him. Howard, a motivational and all-positive type of guy, was one of the Raiders’ key components for the last three seasons and was a team captain this past year.
“Basketball season has been the high point of every year for me, both watching and playing,” Howard said. “I loved getting to play in front of my community. Basketball has taught me how to play and win as a team. It has also instilled a good work ethic in me. I believe I improved every year over my three years at Warren East.”
Howard says he really enjoyed his senior season and playing alongside his teammates one final time. On the 2016-17 campaign, Howard averaged 3.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per game while playing all 29 games for the Raiders, who went 13-16 overall but got off to a 10-3 start.
“My team started off really strong early in the season and we made a lot of memories along the way that I will cherish forever,” Howard stated. “We won our first game in the 14th District Tournament, but lost in the next round. I averaged roughly 4 points and 4 rebounds per game and shot 41 percent from three and 50 percent from the field.”
Following graduation from WEHS, being the top student he is, Howard will attend Western Kentucky University, where he’ll focus on his academic career.
“I have been accepted into the Honors College at WKU, where I plan to major in Accounting and possibly double-major in Finance, as well,” he noted.
As Howard left a positive mark on the Warren East High School boys’ basketball program, he has a message for the athletes still playing at the prep level:
“My message to current high school ball players is simple: Live it up!,” Howard added. “Live for those Friday night District games. Time will fly by as you play, so make the most of it and give it all you got every time you step onto the court. The best way to grow as a player is to listen to your coaches. They decide what plays to run and how to function as a team, so when you do what they ask of you, you will get the most out of it for you and your team. They have a game plan for everything, so learn your role on the team through their advice.”