Alexander's idea of greatness starts with Rockets team

Despite his status as a freshman, it’s tough not to be impressed when you watch Oak Harbor’s Jac Alexander.

But it’s the off-the-court attributes that appeal most to his teammates and coaches. Combine the talents with the intangibles and you have a prodigious point guard who doesn’t think about himself.

“Jac Alexander’s basketball IQ is above that of a high school player,” Port Clinton coach Von Graffin said. “Things you don’t teach, he’s doing as second nature. Alexander is a hard guard.

“He changes direction and speeds so well. Pressure doesn’t bother him. He sees the floor. He’s a play ahead. He can facilitate and get his own. Often at that age, you can facilitate and not score.”

Sweet admits Alexander’s situation is unique because a point guard must be a leader, regardless of their class. Alexander is also already the team’s spark.

It works out well because Alexander couldn’t wait to play varsity basketball. And it's not because he wanted to put on a show or make sure you know his name.

He wanted to help Oak Harbor improve as part of a solution.

“I’m all about my teammates and finding opportunities for them to score,” Alexander said. “I want to do the little things so they get recognition. We’re trying to get the program back on top. It won’t change overnight. It’s a process.”

Oak Harbor (7-14, 5-8) has won three more games than it did last year. It didn't win a game in the SBC.

“We have to cut mistakes,” Alexander said. “Eight or nine losses were by five or less. It comes down to who is better down the stretch. We have to finish games. You can’t win without the ball going through the hoop.

“We have to get shots up and get dribbles in (practicing). We want to get to the top of the SBC.”

Oak Harbor didn’t have school Friday prior to its game against Port Clinton. Alexander practiced for two hours anyway.

“He wants the team to win and it’s team-first,” Sweet said. “I’ve seen him get 20 and be mad we lost. He does things the right way. He’s coachable. His work ethic is what you want out of your best players.

“He wants to fix things and he’s always working. We have kids doing that. I don’t think he believes in taking time off. I’ve had to force him not to shoot.”

Alexander averages 8.9 points, 4.2 assists and 2.5 steals. He’s had games with eight assists and three turnovers when he looks like a veteran and others with eight turnovers and three assists when he looks confused, rushed or overmatched.

“It’s heavy sometimes,” he said. “At the end of games getting the inbound or making free throws. You have to have confidence. You have to stay calm. Like Vermilion (with their pressure defense). I have to make them react to me.”

Alexander had 19 points in a three-point win over Perkins. He’s been much more dependable than erratic.

“He’s played a lot of AAU and basketball on his own,” Graffin said. “He’s heady and knows what he wants to get and gets it. That’s a special player. You get few of those. And he’s got three years left.

“Those guys play hard for Eric. They’re talented enough to win some games. The guards are young and good and will only get better.”

Junior Alex Gezo starts with Alexander while freshman Clay Schulte comes off the bench at guard. Junior Tate Smith leads the team in scoring from the post.

“(Gezo) tells me to slow down,” Alexander said. “He’s a mentor. He invites me and Clay to hang out. He brings us in to shoot with him. He’s been through more basketball than me and I can learn.”

Alexander is listed at 5-foot-10 (he’s actually 5-9 at most), but that won’t be an issue if his team grows.

“His ceiling is as high as he wants it to be,” Sweet said.

mhorn@gannett.com

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Twitter:@MatthewHornNH