O. Central's Jones gets spirit honor
Omaha Central senior Josh Jones was selected as a 2008 section winner of the National High School Spirit of Sport Award by the National Federation of State High School Associations.
The award was created to recognize individuals who exemplify the ideals that are the core mission of high school athletics. Jones, the two-time honorary captain of the Journal Star Super-State team, was one of eight section winners.
During his high school basketball career, Jones was the leading scorer of Central’s three-time Class A state basketball championship team. He averaged 20 points per game during this year’s tournament games, but back in September, no one would have thought he’d play in the state tournament.
Jones had open-heart surgery in September to replace his aortic valve. Doctors said the problem was infective endocarditis — an infection had entered his bloodstream and latched onto his aortic valve, inhibiting his heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently. After a 5½-hour surgery and two weeks in the hospital, Jones finally returned home.
In spite of fatigue and people telling him that his basketball skills just weren’t the same, Jones continued to practice and was determined to lead his team to the state championship. Doctors cleared him to practice in early November, and in January he tied the state three-point record with 10 three-pointers in a game. Jones will play for Creighton beginning this fall.
The award was created to recognize individuals who exemplify the ideals that are the core mission of high school athletics. Jones, the two-time honorary captain of the Journal Star Super-State team, was one of eight section winners.
During his high school basketball career, Jones was the leading scorer of Central’s three-time Class A state basketball championship team. He averaged 20 points per game during this year’s tournament games, but back in September, no one would have thought he’d play in the state tournament.
Jones had open-heart surgery in September to replace his aortic valve. Doctors said the problem was infective endocarditis — an infection had entered his bloodstream and latched onto his aortic valve, inhibiting his heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently. After a 5½-hour surgery and two weeks in the hospital, Jones finally returned home.
In spite of fatigue and people telling him that his basketball skills just weren’t the same, Jones continued to practice and was determined to lead his team to the state championship. Doctors cleared him to practice in early November, and in January he tied the state three-point record with 10 three-pointers in a game. Jones will play for Creighton beginning this fall.
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