There is a cliché, “Basketball never Stops,” but for one Grants High School Senior, John “JJ” Horacek, basketball will not be stopping anytime soon as he has signed his letter of intent to play basketball with Benedictine University out of Mesa, Arizona.
Horacek has no illusions about the competitive nature at the next level.
“As an incoming freshman the strength and physical ability older and more experienced players will be a challenge however, I am a team player and will be giving up my own stats or points for the team to win,” said Horacek.
When asked how he chose the school, Horacek said, “I chose this school as I had done camps that had connections with this school, and I liked what I saw.”
Horacek, who watched Benedictine University students play and met the head coach, Frank Woodford, liked their style of play and felt comfortable with the coach. “He is a coach that will develop you and has a connection with his players,” said Horacek. “He is an equal opportunity coach.”
In his first year, Horacek knows it will be a challenge to travel with the team and he will focus on developing his skills and abilities.
When asked what he would bring to the team, Horacek said, “I will sacrifice for my teammates giving up my stats for the team’s sake,” said Horacek. “I am also going to maximize my potential as an athlete and a basketball player.”
Horacek, who in his senior year, scored 300 points, 90 rebounds, 80 assists, 60 deflections and 55 steals. His head coach for four years, Landon Chavez of the GHS Pirates boys’ basketball team, said of Horacek: “As a captain and a true leader, ‘JJ’ was a steady hand we relied on every game.” Chavez went on to say that Horacek was one the best shooters to coach, “Stephortless,” that’s what they called his “stroke” when he shot the ball. Calling his form a “product of countless hours in the gym, perfecting his craft.” Chavez concluded that Horacek, “Has been at the heart of this team and he will be deeply missed.”
Horacek’s efforts did not stop in the gym. Horacek wants to major in Marketing while at BU earned All-Academic Honors and was named to first team All-District as a GHS Pirate.
For his part, Horacek reminisced about the past.
One of his most fond memories is scoring 20 points against district rival, St. Pius in a tough district match-up. “What drove me was that it was a big game and we were the underdog—I knew we had to play hard,” said Horacek. “I kept shooting as my teammates, who believed in me, kept passing me the ball and that kept me going.”
Horacek said he will miss the special chemistry with his teammates and is ready to move on and make new memories.
Horacek “wants to be successful and the best version of himself” and he will have that opportunity to make new memories this Fall as a new chapter in his life begins.