Senior Micah Jones leads the Acorns in scoring, averaging more
than 11 points per game.
As a 6-foot senior guard/forward, Micah Jones has returned to the Live Oak Acorns basketball team after sitting out last season with an injury and leads the team in scoring and is second in shooting 3-pointers this season. Micah, who used to play football and baseball, is totally focused on basketball and has been playing since he was in the fourth grade.
“Micah brings versatility to the team. He is an inside-outside player,” said Live Oak coach Brett Paolucci. “He can shoot from the outside, but also provides and inside presence.”
Micah was introduced to the game by his father, who taught him to play and instilled in him a love of the game.
“My dad loves the game. He was always talking about Larry Bird and what a great player he was,” Micah recalled.
It should come as no surprise that Micah tries to style his game after the incomparable Bird, saying “He was just a winner.”
Micah said that learning to play defense was the most difficult basketball skill for him to pick up. Modestly explaining, “I’m slow and can’t jump.”
As far as what part of the game he excels at, it is hands down shooting, though he say he likes passing the best.
“It’s been great having him (Micah) out,” said Paolucci. “I’m really happy with his work ethic and attitude. He’s doing a great job helping his team as a leader. It’s great having him back, after not playing last year.”
Although he sat last season out, according to Paolucci, Micah still came out to some practices and worked with team.
Tall and lean, Micah is easy-going and laughs off the good-natured cat calls from his teammates while being interviewed.
“He’s a wonderful kid,” said Paolucci. “He’s so positive about everything. He’s a positive influence on this team.”
“I think we’re all really close as a team and that definitely helps our game,” said Micah. “If you have selfish people, you have a selfish team. These guys are all really great guys.”
Micah divides his time between basketball, school and work at Safeway, which leaves little free time. During the school year he works 16 hours, while juggling school work and basketball.
“It’s so hard,” said Micah about juggling his schedule, “especially because I’m working. I’ll go to practice then try to come home and do my homework right away or get it done at school.”
He doesn’t have a favorite subject in school and says “It’s all kind of something I have to do.”
If he does happen to get some spare time, Micah enjoys spending it with his friends and says he is trying to make the most of his high school career. He likes action movies, citing Gladiator as a good one and can get down to every type of music, except for country or techno.
One of his favorite bands is Underoath, a “Screamo” genre band that he likes to listen to before a game or when he is just relaxing.
Micah is considering attending Bethany University, a private college in Scotts Valley, next fall and thinks he will major in Business.
“I’m good with numbers and I like being in charge, so it just made sense,” he said.
When asked if he wants to continue playing at the next level, the Live Oak senior says, “Probably, I don’t know yet. I’m just focused on doing well this year.”
Some of Micah’s goals for this season are to make the better and to try his hardest to get better every game.
“I want to average 10 points per game, if it’s within in the offense,” he said unselfishly. Micah is well on his way to achieving those goals as he is already averaging just over 11 points per game this season and has hit 21 3-pointers.
The Acorns kick off TCAL action against the Palma Chieftains this afternoon in Salinas.
“We’re preparing same as usual, it’s just another team,” said Micah. “We’ve got to work hard. I think we can win league this year.”
