Friendship And Mentors Within Sparkman Basketball Team
HARVEST- The relationship between Harry Jenkins and Malik Tyson is one of different backgrounds colliding and enriching each of them in ways only they can explain. The Sparkman High schoolmates are official members of the Sparkman basketball program with each possessing positions that help the team in their own unique way.
Jenkins, a sophomore, is the team’s student assistant/team manager. Tyson is the team’s top rated player and as a senior has led the squad to a current top 10 ranking in the state among the Class 7A. One is the pure jock while the other is in support mode to help the athletes have a less-stressful time on the court.
Despite being from different lifestyles and opposite ends of the spectrum of athletics, Jenkins and Tyson are best friends.
“We hang out together just chillin’ as he’s really cool and we both play video games and everybody knows me and Harry are really close,” said Tyson.
“When I started as team manager last season as a freshman, Malik was the first person I became friends with as I just walked up to him and hi,” added Jenkins.
Jenkins’ older brother, Mitchell, was the team’s manager/water boy two years ago. Mitchell has special needs and the entire team took care of him watching him at every possible moment. He was a beloved member of the team. When Mitchell graduated the team asked Jenkins if he wanted to continue the family connection in the manager position. Jenkins gave them a quick answer of yes.
Jenkins was a quiet student who had a difficult time with social skills and feeling comfortable around elite athletes. Tyson saw that about his soon-to-be friend and took the reins of being the friend and big brother Jenkins never had due to Mitchell’s special needs not allowing the brothers to do many things together that Jenkins and Tyson can.
Tyson is an All-State player for the Senators averaging 21 points and 7 rebounds per game. He’s being heavily recruited by numerous colleges and trying to sustain his current 3.7 grade point average so he can make his way to college through basketball. With all that is going on with Tyson he still finds the time to spend with Jenkins, who has a 3.75 GPA and one day wants to become a history teacher.
“I know Harry was a quiet person, but I found him to be very cool and just being around him we connected and had a bond,” said Tyson. “He’s supportive of me in my playing basketball and I’m supportive of him as I make sure others don’t mistreat him or take advantage of him.”
Jenkins, 15, knows everyone sees Tyson as the squad’s best player and will go on in life doing great things, but Jenkins sees him as his best friend on the team. Jenkins added, “He’s like my big brother. He takes care of me and whenever someone doesn’t treat me right, he makes sure they do treat me well. He makes sure I’m OK. He makes sure I’m happy.”
For both Jenkins and Tyson the relationship is not just give and take. The comradery is also a teaching tool.
“He helped me come out of my shell of a personality and made sure other guys on the team became my friends by telling them how funny and cool I was,” said Jenkins. “He encouraged others to talk to me. He’s helped me get closer to the team and to open up to others in our school.”
“No matter what they look like or how many problems they have, everyone has a heart and that’s what Harry has taught me through our friendship,” added Tyson. “Everyone is a good person in some kind of way. He’s taught me the fact to have open arms to everybody as everyone deserves a chance.”
While Jenkins works every day at running the clock, taking care of the team’s basketballs, rebound for the players during shooting drills, being the team water boy during practices and at times the team videographer during games, Tyson makes him feel more like a part of the team than anyone could.
My parents love Malik and I’m very thankful for him and I love him, too,” said Jenkins.
