COLUMBUS, Ohio — Any kid with a ball and a basketball hoop dreams of making the winning shot, and Friday, in Columbus, those dreams have a chance of placing out on one of the biggest stages in the sport.
What You Need To Know
- Sean Jones, a former Ohio high school star from Gahanna, is returning to Columbus for the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
- He's a freshman at Marquette
- His mother and former high school coach reflect upon his successes
- Marquette will take on Vermont Friday afternoon
It's March Madness, and a former Ohio high school star will be taking the court, hoping to help his team advance.
Sean Jones is just a year removed from starring at Gahanna Lincoln High School, and he’s back in Ohio now, playing a key role as a freshman for the number-two-seeded Marquette Golden Eagles.
Watching him every step of the way is his mother, Sherri Griffin.
"It's a hoop mother's dream come true," said Griffin.
Jones led the Gahanna Lincoln Lions to close to 100 victories and left school as the all-time leading scorer
Many recruiting sites had him as the third-best player in Ohio coming out of high school, showing the talent that caught the attention of Marquette, but it was something that his high school coach saw in him right away.
"Sean has been in the spotlight in Gahanna ever since he was little,” said Coach Tony Staib, Gahanna Lincoln High School boys varsity basketball coach. “He got all kinds of attention as a young player, and everyone knew he was gonna be special."
He's been turning heads ever since, making everyone proud, most of all his mother.
"Sean, you know you can't hear me anymore in the stands like you used to in high school and middle school. If I had anything to say, I'm proud of you,” said Griffin. “This has been a dope journey. You have been nothing but a proud kid for us."
And, win or lose in Columbus, one thing's for sure: Jones will have a whole squad of fans cheering him on just like his old high school days.
"Gahanna's routing for him,” said Coach Staib. “We love him and miss him, but we're really happy and proud of him. I'll be there on Friday to cheer him on, along with a lot of people in Columbus. That's for sure."
Jones and Marquette will play Friday afternoon, taking on Vermont, which also features another Ohio high school product. Kam Gibson is a senior who played at Walnut Hills in Cincinnati.