By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
Despite having a rough season record wise, seniors Kobe Hongvilay and Marshawn Hillard of the Franklin Boys Basketball team (4-10 overall, 2-6 in Metro) are still focused on helping their team win, having fun and growing as young men both on and off the court.
Averaging 15 points per game, Hongvilay, who plays point guard for Franklin, believes that he has had a lot of growth over the years that he is carrying into his senior year. Primarily playing for the junior varsity team his freshman and sophomore year while only occasionally playing for the varsity team, Hongvilay has worked his way up to being a key player for the Quakers this season
“I feel like I have grown a lot as a player during my time,” says Hongvilay. “My Junior year I was not really taking any initiative of doing things, but now in my senior year I am showing more leadership and doing more by taking initiative and helping my team the best that I can.”
While the results so far have not been what they have expected, Hongvilay has embraced the challenge of being a team leader while continuing to grow as a player.
“My role on the team is to be a true leader as the captain. As I take on that role, I have to make sure that I motivate my teammates and set a good example for them,” shared Hongvilay.
Despite a disappointing start to their season, Hongvilay remains focused on winning games and still has high hopes that his team will finish off the year strong.
“The first half of our season has been a rough one, but all of that is in the past now,” says Hongvilay. “Finishing the second half of the season I want us to focus on resilience and improvement, staying positive and using our setbacks as motivation. I know it looks like we have had a bad season this year but I would say that we have had fun even though our record may not show it.”
“As the regular season comes to an end, I want us to go to the playoffs and make a run, but to do that I understand that we still have a lot of work to get done,” adds Hongvilay.
Head Coach Craig Jackson recognizes the growth of both Hongvilay and Hillard, not just as players but as students, commending their academic progress. Hongvilay emphasizes his coach’s role in his personal development, stating, “I feel like I have grown as a player and as a student because of my coach.”
With Jackson always being around the school both on and off the court, Hillard has utilized him as a great mentor.
“He is in the building with us, meaning he is there when we need him as a teacher and as a coach. Having him there has really helped me grow to be a young man and do stuff in the world,” says Hillard.
Hillard echoes the sentiment of having a challenging season record-wise but emphasizes the importance of remaining positive and having fun in his final year at Franklin.
“I have been playing with some of these guys for basically my whole life, and knowing half of them for just as long,” says Hillard. “So getting the opportunity to play with people I grew up with has been fun and I really have loved that,” shared Hillard.
“I want to win more games and push ourselves to win games while remaining to keep our heads up,” adds Hillard.
Being a leader for your team while facing challenges helps keep each and every player to stay motivated, and that is exactly what Hillard is doing. Stepping up in practices as someone his team can look to for when they need help, Hillard has shared that that is a part of his role as a leader on the team, which is something that he has continuously developed during his time with the program.
“I am more mature now than I was in my freshman year,” says Hillard. “I take more responsibility for things that I may do, and I help lead the team by showing them what they can do as well when needed.”
While facing challenges, including the departure of a key player, Hillard remains hopeful for the remainder of his senior season and envisions a future playing basketball at the next level. Whether as a walk-on or a scholarship player, Hillard plans to continue his basketball journey after high school. If basketball is not in the plan, he still intends to attend college to study business.
“I want to continue basketball after high school, whether that be as a walk-on or a scholarship player. If basketball is not in the plan, I still plan on attending college to study business,” shared Hillard.