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Longhorn Finds Success As Senior

Tribune photo by JOHN CEBALLOS

Senior Byron Jenkins has been a member of Lennard High School's varsity basketball team for the last three years. The team got off to a 4-5 start this season after only winning three games in the program's first two years.

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By JOHN CEBALLOS

jceballos@tampatrib.com

Published: January 14, 2009

RUSKIN - In its third season of varsity competition, the Lennard Longhorns boys basketball team is off to a 4-5 start.

The four victories match the combined win total from the program's first two years. While there are many reasons for the turnaround, a major factor has been senior leadership.

"When we first got together, a lot of people wanted to go their own way and do their own thing, but this year we're working more as a team," said Byron Jenkins, a senior forward and center.

Jenkins is averaging 9.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game this year. He is one of nine seniors on the 15-man roster, many of whom were members of previous Longhorn teams - which finished with 1-25 and 3-23 records.

"He does all the little things necessary for us to be successful," said Coach Joe Willis. "He's also become one of the strongest foundations of our program.

"I'll be talking about Byron Jenkins to my players for a long time to come."

It turns out that Jenkins was not even thinking about basketball when he transferred to Lennard three years ago.

Jenkins, who has lived in Wimauma all his life, played defensive end for the East Bay High School football team during his freshman year. Once he arrived at Lennard, Jenkins suffered a mild knee injury, which sidelined him from the football team but led to him picking up a basketball.

"I had never really been into basketball too much, but once I came here to Lennard, I figured it'd be a good idea to try it, and it'd be a good way to stay active," he said.

Jenkins was a member of the school's varsity football and basketball teams during his sophomore and junior seasons. This year, he decided to concentrate on basketball.

"I like basketball a little better now," he said. "I like that it's faster and more energetic and more intense, and I like that you really have to work as a team with everybody else on the court."

He hopes to play basketball collegiately. If that doesn't work out, Jenkins plans on studying civil engineering and business. He has applied to Florida A&M University.

Before then, he hopes to improve on what already has been his high school basketball program's most successful season.

"We want to finish .500 or better, and we want to at least get to the second round in our district tournament," Jenkins said. "I want to go out on a good note."

GET TO KNOW

WHO: Byron Jenkins

AGE: 18

SCHOOL: Lennard High School

GRADE: 12

SPORTS: Basketball and football

FUTURE PLANS: Wants to study civil engineering and business at Florida A&M University.

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555.

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