Proficient from the perimeter

Newport shooting guard Jake Higgins wants to lead his team to the playoffs

By Shaun Scott • December 11, 2014 3:50 pm

Newport Knights senior basketball player Jake Higgins wasn’t satisfied with his junior season on the hardwood.

The Knights missed the playoffs during the 2013-14 season, but don’t expect to miss the postseason this year. Higgins, who stands 6 feet 3 inches, is one of the leaders of a senior-laden squad with lofty goals for the 2014-15 season.

“We gel together well as a team. Everybody is friends on and off the court. That makes a big difference. We work really well together. All of us understand that you don’t have to score 20 points per game. All you have to do is just pass the ball, move the ball and get the best shot possible. That kind of mindset is going to win us games,” Higgins said.

Higgins, who relishes the role of being the Knights’ starting shooting guard, said his height gives him a distinct advantage against smaller guards.

“It’s easier to rise up and get my shot up when I have a smaller defender on me. My shot looks the same every single time,” he said. “I have been playing basketball ever since my dad put the ball in my hand when I was four or five years old. I have loved it ever since.”

Higgins benefits from having 6-foot-7-inch Calvin Throckmorton dominating the low post for the Knights.

“It’s awesome because once he gets the ball down low the defense just sucks down and converges on him,” he said. “That allows me and the other guards to get open shots.”

Recently the Bellevue Reporter had an opportunity to ask Higgins a few questions about his life away from the basketball court.

Bellevue Reporter: What is your biggest pet peeve?

Jake Higgins: When people don’t try. I really don’t like it when I’m trying to do focused things and people just goof off.

BR: Who is your pick to win the Super Bowl in February of 2014?

JH: The Seattle Seahawks.

BR: If you could pick one person to go to dinner with, who would it be?

JH: I would probably go to dinner with “Chance the Rapper.” He’s my favorite rapper right now. It would be cool to meet him.

BR: What is your favorite restaurant in Bellevue?

JH: I’m going to go with Mod Pizza. It’s the best.

BR: What is something unique about you that nobody would know?

JH: I like to go camping with my family. I like the outdoors. We usually go camping up in Cle Elum.

BR: What are you listening to the most in your iPod right now?