The Sacred Heart Saints senior boys鈥� basketball team is in full rebuilding mode, but luckily for them, they may have found a player that they can build around.
Jake Javier, originally from Batangas City, Philippines, moved to Canada in December of 2013 but unfortunately missed the tryout date for the Sacred Heart Saints that year. 鈥淛ake came to us last season (2013/14) at the beginning of December and they asked if he could come and play basketball,鈥� mentioned Javier鈥檚 basketball coach Garrett Karcha. 鈥淚 said that he could come and practice with the team but I had just picked the team so to have someone come in would be very difficult and unfair to others, so I had him come in and practice.
鈥淲e went on a couple of road trips but we didn鈥檛 take him because he wasn鈥檛 really on the team although he was practicing with us but he just kind of faded away throughout the season.鈥�
This season, however, Javier was able to attend the tryouts.
And when he did, he impressed. He impressed so much that he made the team and has recently been seeing starting minutes.
In fact, the talented first year Sacred Heart guard has burst forth as an offensive standout for a young Saints club that has otherwise had issues cashing in on the offensive side of things. 鈥淚n terms of skill he鈥檚 a very skilled basketball player. It almost looks like things are going in slow motion for him,鈥� offered SHHS Saints head coach Garrett Karcha on his Filipino star. 鈥淗e鈥檚 a really good ball handler. He has an excellent shot, he鈥檚 very smooth around the net and he鈥檚 been a welcome addition.鈥�
But while he鈥檚 smooth around the net, Karcha says that Javier鈥檚 biggest asset is his speed and quickness, as well as his ability to shoot the three ball; something that Javier himself acknowledges are his biggest strengths. 鈥淢y quickness, my speed, that is my secret weapon,鈥� suggested Javier. 鈥淔rom my hands to my body, my quickness and hard work help me.
鈥淢y three point game is also good. I think it鈥檚 still a strength for me.鈥�
The speed and quickness, something that Javier picked up while learning to play the sport in the Philippines, where basketball is the number one sport, have led to him averaging more than 12 points per game over his last seven games including a 22 point performance in a 63-45 win over Melville in Sacred Heart鈥檚 final game at the York City Classic last month.
More recently, Javier has led the Saints in scoring over their past two games with a 14 point game against Moosomin and a 12 point effort against Lumsden.
But while he鈥檚 finding success with his new teammates at Sacred Heart, who he says are great people, the real reason he鈥檚 playing is quite simple. 鈥淢y love is basketball. Basketball is my life, my favourite sport and I can鈥檛 live without it.鈥�
And now that he鈥檚 become one of the star offensive players on the Saints, he鈥檒l never have to live without it.
