Jacob Meketa represents what high school sports is all about. Jacob, a senior for Valley boys’ basketball, is one of those unsung heroes who doesn’t typically show up on the stat sheet, but always delivers by doing everything necessary to help his team succeed. The starters on any squad need a teammate who forces them to grind in practice to improve their skills and who challenges them each day as if they were in live game action. For the Warriors, Jacob is that guy.

“I’m a competitive guy and work hard on defense. I’m scrappy, a hustle player, and I do whatever it takes to get the ball,” says Jacob, a 6-foot forward. “I really enjoy playing basketball and have a lot of fun with my teammates. I don’t play a lot, so I found a role doing the dirty work that not a lot of people want to do. I also try to pick guys up if things aren’t going their way and shots aren’t falling for them. I help keep their confidence up.”

Jacob has played basketball in each of his four years at Valley Regional. He’s also started for two seasons with the Warriors’ baseball team, for which he plays first base, the outfield, and pitches. Jacob hasn’t seen that many minutes on the basketball court this winter as he’s only played in five of Valley’s contests, although that certainly hasn’t prevented him from making his mark. The Deep River native is the epitome of a role player who’s happy to help out in any way he can to get the Warriors to perform at a high level.

“Jacob is a great kid. He doesn’t get a lot of playing time, but he makes us better working in practice. He’s not afraid to bang all over the floor at the forward position,” says Head Coach Kevin Woods on Jacob, who’s totaled four points with five rebounds in the 2015-’16 campaign. “You would think he’s a starter the way he plays—diving for every loose ball, contesting every shot, fighting for every rebound. The energy he brings in practice is exceptional and I am very proud to be able to coach him.”

One of the big reasons why Jacob is a source of inspiration for his teammates is because of a trying experience that he recently endured. Jacob suffered from a blood disorder last year after a bout with mono. His white blood cells were low and the platelets, which allow blood to clot, were also down. The illness put a halt to Jacob’s athletic career for more than six months when he was diagnosed in April of last year, forcing him to miss the 2015 baseball season. The blood disorder nearly threatened to end his basketball career at Valley, as well, but Jacob recovered just in time for the start of this season.

“It was hard. I was really down that I couldn’t play baseball with my friends and I was worried I wouldn’t be able to play basketball as a senior. But it made it that much better when I recovered and was able to play this year,” Jacob says. “I tried to stay positive throughout the whole ordeal and my friends really helped me with that, too. When the doctor said I was healthy, I was really excited to get back on the court.”

Jacob has maintained his edge through all this adversity and continues to bring vigor to practices and also games when he sees time. Jacob’s support for his teammates has never wavered, which is wholeheartedly appreciated by Coach Woods.

“The fight he had just to be on the court is something truly special. All the blood tests and missing so much time, it was such a physical grind for him to be on the team and he did everything he could to be out here for us,” Coach Woods says. “Jacob is one of the guys you will always remember when you look back because they cared so much about the program and gave everything they had. Without players like him, you wouldn’t be nearly as good of a program. You need people like Jacob on your team.”

As the basketball season draws closer to its conclusion, Jacob is looking forward to getting back on the baseball diamond this spring and finishing his career as a Warrior strong. After graduation, Jacob plans to further his education by studying criminology in college.

“I really enjoyed my time here and I’m hoping college will be just as great as my four years at Valley have been,” says Jacob. “I really have to thank my parents for their support and being there for me through everything. I also have to thank all of my coaches and my teammates on both the basketball and baseball teams. They have all had my back and always helped me to stay positive.”