With time slowing ticking away, and San Benito nursing a lead, the ball stays in one player’s hands – and that’s by design.
Jordan Belton, a four-year varsity player which includes a one-year stint at Valley Christian as a freshman, is the Balers’ go-to player. In a time of need, the ball will always be in his hands. And that’s exactly what Belton and head coach David Kaplansky want to see.
“He is our closer,” Kaplansky said. “He is a good asset to have on our team because of his athleticism. And he does a nice job closing out games.”
This year, Belton was always supposed to take full control of his team. Through nine games, the Balers have gone 7-2 and Belton leads the team by averaging 18.6 points per game. His success, though, isn’t a surprise.
Since the fourth grade, Belton has wanted to play basketball. He played on the local National Junior Basketball squad for five years, including a year on Gilroy’s all-star team. And he has played travel basketball for teams in San Jose and Saratoga. Of course, he has played Amateur Athletic Union basketball during that entire time.
No day goes by without Belton having a basketball thought, he said.
“Everything in my life revolves around basketball,” he said. “If I’m not at practice, I’m at a workout. If I’m not at a workout, I’m at a game.”
His love for basketball started at an early age thanks to his father, who coached Belton in the fourth grade. From there, Belton’s dedication for the game grew.
He eventually became entranced by basketball’s creativity and freedom.
“When you’re playing the game, you feel unstoppable,” he said. “Nothing can ruin the moment. When you lose, you still have fun in the game. The game is a fun game. Of course, you want to win but you are going to lose sometimes. It’s just a fun game, and I’ve loved it ever since day one.”
It’s no wonder that the game fully integrated his life.
So far this year, that tireless work ethic has impressed Kaplansky.
“He is doing a good job this season,” Kaplansky said. “We obviously changed our offensive and our defensive principles, and he has done a nice job adapting to what we want to do.”
Kaplansky continued: “He is real vocal to the kids, but he also has the playing experience. He has the most playing experience on our team. It’s been nice for him to lead our team. He has done a good job of putting us in a position to be successful.”
With hopes of becoming a college basketball player, winning is the ultimate goal for his final year as a Baler.
“I’ve been here since my sophomore year, and we’ve always said let’s go far in the (Central Coast Section) and let’s take (Tri-County Athletic League), but we never got to that point,” Belton said. “This year, with the new coaches and the high-intensity game – the enthusiasm he brings to the game – we should win TCALs.”
And it’s not just Belton who believes that, he said.
“That’s my personal goal, but that’s also the team’s goal,” he said. “In here, in our hearts, we all as a collective group know this could be our year.”
And if it is – which is still a long way from finishing – it will help fulfill the Balers’ leading-scorer’s ultimate dream.
“I built up the passion to play at the next level,” He said. “That’s my goal in life is to play at the next level. My goal in high school is to play in college. If I can do that I’ll be the happiest guy in the world.”
To get to that point, though, Belton knows he has a lot of work to do. He strives to keep his grades hovering around a 3.5 GPA, and he always tries to work on his game.
“That’s really what I have to do,” he said. “When it comes down to it, you have to keep your grades up. If you don’t have your grades up, you can’t play in high school so nobody can see you anyway.”
Summer is the only time when basketball comes before school, he said.
On the court, Belton is trying to improve his defensive skills and his long-range jumper, he said.
All that hard work makes it easy for Belton to become the team’s leader, something Kaplansky wants to see, Kaplansky said. At practice, he is just as loud as his coach.
“He is real vocal and that’s real good – especially in practice,” Kaplansky said. “He holds kids accountable and he does a nice job motivating his teammates.”
He is the team’s leader on and off the court.
“I want him to be the leader of the team,” Kaplansky said. “I want him to handle the ball in critical situations. I want him to be an example for the other players. I’m going to get on him as much as I get on everyone else and it’s important that he understands that and handles it well.”
And so far, so good.
“I really enjoy teaching him,” Kaplansky said. “He is a good kid – a high character kid. So far, good things are happening.”
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Get to know Jordan Belton
What is your favorite …?
TV show: Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Food: Mexican
Band: LOS
Movie: Next Friday
Class: English
