Quincy Stone, a recently graduated senior at Rowe-Clark Math & Science Academy, talks about his time as a player and captain on the school’s varsity basketball team, along with words from his coaches Jakarie Gates and Patrick Watts. Check it out:

Coach Jakarie Gates: Mr. Stone is one of the best demonstrations of leadership and integrity.

Coach Patrick Watts: Quincy has been one of those vocal leaders of the team. Pretty much like another coach.

Quincy Stone: My name is Quincy Stone. I’m a senior at Rowe-Clark… Basketball means a lot to me just because it’s something I’ve been doing since I was a kid— since I was little. It really gives me something to step away from the world and just connect with myself. It’s really a peaceful thing to do, especially since my dad used to play basketball when he was my age. So, it was just something I care about real deep, and I got a real deep connection with it.

Watts: This is his second year playing basketball. At first, you know, Quincy was just a shy kid around the school, wasn’t into many sports or anything. Then, we convinced him to play basketball, and for two years, he maintained over a 3.0. So, just playing basketball and just him being focused and disciplined is motivation to push him to the next level.

Quincy: I became a basketball captain by just keep maintaining hard work and keep pushing through, even the harder days. Like, my freshman year, it really started out rough. I didn’t really have the confidence. I really didn’t make the team for real. So, it was just me sticking to my goals and really maintaining the hard work and try to get to where I want to be.

Gates: Something I really admire about Mr. Stone is, if he miss a day at school or if he miss a class—dealing with other commitments— he hunts me down, I never have to hunt him down. He’s been somebody that’s shown resilience and dedication all year.

Quincy: I would say leadership means a lot because, on the court and even off the court, it really just shows the type of person you is. {It} shows like what you can lead and what you could do. And I feel like me having that—me taking that leadership role for my teammates and even the underclassmen— really just shows how much of a strong person I am and how far I can take myself.