When Jocquis Sconiers is on the basketball court for the University of Alaska Fairbanks there is a lot going on in his mind. Not only is he thinking about who to dish to for the open shot or how to avoid an opposing defender, he is also thinking about home.
And home for Sconiers is San Bernardino, CA and the key for what motivates him.
"When things are tough for me or when I am trying to figure out what to do, I think about my mother. She has been the support in my life and I do everything for her. I want to be successful for her," said Sconiers. "My dad left us when I was 12 and it was very difficult to make it on our own. Mom worked real hard to make sure I would be OK and I can't ever forget that."
Sconiers and his UAF teammates, currently 18-6 on the season and riding a seven-game winning streak, close out their regular season home schedule with Senior Night on Saturday, February 28 when Central Washington University visits the Patty Center. That game will start at 7 p.m. AST
"Jocquis is a really good kid and works very hard," said UAF mentor Al Sokaitis. "Jocquis is one of those players that work for everything he gets. He has made himself a better player and, as a good point guard should, has made everyone else around him better."
Sconiers' love of basketball began back on the playgrounds of San Bernardino, CA, where Sconiers worked his way up the ladder of local blacktop fame. He was the young guy always wanting to play with the older kids. "I always wanted to play with the bigger guys because they were better," Sconiers said.
He took his game on to Rialto High School where he earned a varsity letter each of his four years in the program. Sconiers considered college offers, but chose to play for two years at Mt. San Jacinto Community College where he was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2002.
"All my friends from my team at Mt. San Jacinto (Community College) were coming up here to play, so I thought about it and decided Fairbanks would be a good place to come," said Sconiers, a sociology major. Sconiers' current teammates Norris Crawford and Anthony Griffin, along with former Nanook Marquis Revels also attended Mt. San Jacinto before coming up to play for the Blue and Gold.
"I really enjoyed meeting the team. Everyone seemed like they were good guys and coach is a real competitor. I like that because I am a competitor," he said.
And that competitive spirit has probably been the reason why Sconiers has developed into a top-notch point guard for the Nanooks. Sokaitis has been pleased with Sconiers' transformation since arriving on campus.
"You win championships with good senior leadership and Jocquis is certainly showing some good senior leadership," Sokaitis said. "It's all about making other people better. As a point guard, he has to have a defensive presence on the floor and be an offensive leader, getting the ball into the right situation. You can't ever have a day off as point guard."
Sconiers agrees. "My role on the team is to be a leader. I need to get everyone into the offense and get it going," he said. "I also need to be a leader off the floor and encourage people and motivate them to play hard when they're out there."
And he has been able to do just that. The Nanooks are averaging almost 80 points per game and have won eight of their last 10 outings. Sconiers is shooting 40 percent from the field and 45 percent from long range. He is fourth on the team in assists and second on the team in steals.
"I think we're a pretty solid team," said Sconiers. "We have a very good outside game and our inside game has really picked up lately. I think we're a very focused team and hungry for victories. We're playing like we have a purpose."
The Nanooks struggled early this season, dropping some games they probably should have won. However, Sconiers thinks that problem was quickly resolved.
"Earlier this season, I don't think we had a team identity. We weren't playing team basketball. Now we are," said Sconiers. "I think the turning point for us was the recent three-game swing we made through the top teams in the conference (beating Alaska Anchorage, Humboldt State and Western Oregon). I think that made a statement to all the other teams in the conference. It told them we're pretty good."
And now the question is how good? Can the Nanooks finish the season on a high note and earn a berth in the NCAA West Regional Championship?
"We have a great chance to make it to the regional tournament and who knows from there?" said Sconiers. "It's going to take a total team effort from us. Everyone is going to have to be on their game. There is no team out there we can't beat. We truly believe that."
And if the Nanooks make it to the regional championship, the tournament could be held in San Bernardino, CA, Sconiers' hometown.
"It would be great if mom was able to come see my play," said Sconiers. "I think she would be very happy about how things are going for me."
And, after all, that's what's important.
-30-
