Recruiting Update – Jackson Leach (2024 West Salem)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While he already proved himself as one of the top point guards in the state as a junior, [player_tooltip player_id='1565735' first='Jackson' last='Leach'] was not satisfied. The shifty 5-foot-10 point guard went straight from the end of the season with West Salem to club basketball with Elite 24, traveling across the country and taking on allcomers. It's resulted in getting his college recruitment going, but also improvement with his game for his senior campaign - but it didn't come all at once.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I started out slower, got better over time," Leach said. "I feel like I grew the most as a confidence player, being able to put some numbers in the Under Armour circuit and really just grow confidence in my game. I was trying to get better at really being able to make a shot early because everybody knows I can pass, and everybody knows I drive. So if I make a shot, it's a lot easier to do those things."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing in tournaments all over against different types of competition provided plenty of memories for Leach. In particular, there was one event that stood out to him. "We played this team, it was an Under Armour team from Albuquerque, New Mexico," Leach said. "They had a top 100 player on it, and we played them, like, three times, and every time it was just down to the wire, just really close games. I think we went 1-2, but every game was within three."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Getting a chance to play in front of college coaches helped amp up Leach's college recruitment. He's received roster spots from both near and far, close to home at George Fox but also on the East Coast from Western New England College. He notes that Cal Lutheran, Linfield, and Willamette have all but officially offered spots as well. Since he's a stellar student, other D-III programs Johns Hopkins and the University of Chicago have been in touch but he's also heard from D-II schools such as Seattle Pacific, Western Oregon, and Western Washington.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As things continue to develop, Leach is staying patient with his options but has a plan for what he's looking for in a college program. "Honestly, I'm waiting till after the spring," Leach said. "I really like the relationships that coaches build, so really looking for a school that wants me to come in and be a player and not just wait and build a real connection, they know how I play. If I can get (scholarship) money, I can, but whatever gives me the best chance to play after and whatever builds the best relationships with me."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With recruitment tabled until after the season is over, Leach is all in on 2023-24 with his Titans team. "So I got the highest expectations for myself I've ever had, particularly Player of the Year, but not only Player of the Year, I want to be a Defense Player of the Year - I want to lead our team on both sides of the ball," Leach said. "The main goal is Chiles. Farther than that, obviously, but if we get the Chiles, anything can happen. So I'm really just pushing our team every day, showing them that starts on defense."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leach earned Central Valley Conference Player honors last season after averaging 13.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->