Prospect Spotlight: Jermiah “Flip” Jenkins (2017)
As a former small guard from the 757, I know exactly how how tough it is to prove that you belong. You always have to play with a chip on your shoulder, always have to be the toughest one out…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAs a former small guard from the 757, I know exactly how how tough it is to prove that you belong. You always have to play with a chip on your shoulder, always have to be the toughest one out there and you’re playing for your pride every day because you’re facing some of the best athletes in the staet.
While it didn’t work out that well for me, or at all for that matter, one of the guys who have embodied that is Granby senior point guard Jermiah Jenkins. Known as “Flip” by coaches and teammates, he’s been one of the most underrated scoring guards in the 757 the last few years.
Flip transferred to Granby last season from Booker T. Washington, and was immediately thrust into a go-to role, one that he loves to be in. He had a terrific season for them as a junior, leading the team in scoring, however he was often overshadowed by other, bigger named guards in the area.
With another year under his belt, and the core of a talented team coming back, Jenkins no longer worries about getting his name out there, because with maturity comes the true understanding of what it means to be a point guard.
“My role has changed big time,” Jenkins said. “When I was a freshman, I was looking up to the guards at Booker T., and I learned a lot of things I can teach now to my young guards on my team this year.
“This year, my role is just to keep the energy high, set the tone on offense and defense, keep the ball in my hands and dish to my young guys Antwan Epps and Tony Epps because those are my shooters.”
The 5’9” Jenkins may not be the biggest player on the floor, but he can fill it up with the best of them. A crafty ball handler and shot maker, he can break the defense down by changing pace or lulling them to sleep, and he’s able to stop on a dime and elevate for his jump shot anywhere on the floor. With his mix of range, toughness and ability to score it at all three levels, it’s no wonder he’s seeing major interest from scholarship schools such as UMES, Chowan and Virginia State.
However, after an 18 point performance in a win over Kellam in the first round of the Scope Holiday Tournament, which moved Granby to 7-2 on the season, all he wanted to talk about was what his team had to do to continue to get better.
“I think we need to get better on defense and rebounding,” he said. “We need to get stops, we can’t go bucket for bucket with every team, we need to get stops, box out and rebound.”
When I went to ask what his goals were for the season, he quickly stopped me with a great response.
“You already know my goals I want to play at the Siegel Center this season and play for that state championship, and I believe that we have the team to get that done.”
Winning is them most important thing for a point guard, and with that understanding Jenkins should see his recruitment continue to grow as he leads an underrated Granby team. With a winning attitude, leadership and toughness at the point guard spot, don’t be surprised if Flip is able to lead Granby to a late postseason run.