Confidence Grows, So Does Production for Versatile HP Guard

In his third season on the varsity team, Ariyo has become a valuable all-around leader

For Jacob Ariyo, three years’ worth of varsity basketball has been about steady progress, from gaining confidence to expanding roles to — a priority for any player — that elusive first in-game dunk.

The latter milestone for the Highland Park senior came during a December game against Frisco Wakeland, when his slam set off a bench celebration. But that opportunity arose from Ariyo’s ability to embrace the small stuff.

“He’s a true all-around player for us,” said HP head coach David Piehler. “Even though he might not be our leading scorer most of the time, he contributes in other ways that are just as important. He’s allowed other players to take shots, but he does all the other things.”

Spending an entire season riding the bench is rough for anyone. That’s where Ariyo found himself as a sophomore, as one of the youngest players on one of HP’s best teams in recent memory.

Last year, he was named a team captain almost by default, as one of only two returnees with any court time at the varsity level.

“They didn’t choose me. They were kind of stuck with me,” Ariyo said. “It helped grow my confidence to be chosen as a leader. I’ve tried to be a good example.”

Along the way, he earned a spot in the starting lineup as a junior and became a valuable contributor on both offense and defense. He even scored the game-winning points in a matchup with rival Jesuit Dallas.

“It was always my dream to be a really good basketball player, but sophomore year kind of humbled me a little bit,” he said. “My junior year, I focused a lot more on defense, just to make sure I was more valuable to the team.”

This season, Ariyo has flourished as a secondary scoring option on an experienced team that includes Henry Beckett, Colin Noble, Caden Cantrell, and other familiar faces.

“Every year, I’ve noticed the game slows down a lot more,” said Ariyo, who also is a standout high jumper for HP during the track and field season. “That’s made it easier to score. I understand my role and I’m able to perform that.”

When Ariyo was younger, his parents were averse to television or screens, so he passed the time dribbling and shooting in the driveway. Now he’s maximizing that passion during a final season that he hopes will end with a lengthy playoff run.

“He’s steady. He’s one of our best defenders. His confidence has grown and it’s showing,” Piehler said. “It’s hard to take him off the court.”

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