Senior Makes a Name for Sparkman

While some students slept in and others traveled the country, the Varsity boys’ basketball team prepared for different tournaments within the region. During the beloved Al.Com tournament that fans look forward to every year, senior JP Fletcher played exceptionally well landing him a spot on the All Tournament Team as well as winning the Wade Lipscomb Scholarship.

“I thought I played pretty well so I thought I’d have a chance but I definitely wasn’t expecting it,” Fletcher said.

Just like any accomplishment, winning the scholarship comes with great preparation on  and off the court. Fletcher has proven to excel in all aspects that come with being a student athlete.

“He’s very involved in his community and has an outstanding GPA. He’s the epitome of a player we want in our program,” coach Jamie Coggins said.

Playing basketball for over a decade, Fletcher has developed a love for the sport like no other. His passion and drive have fueled him to perform the best that he can and have caused him to stand out continuously.

“I had no idea he was going to win the scholarship and it was a complete surprise. We were thrilled he was able to do that because he has put so much work into everything,” Coggins said. “We were very happy for him.”

Contrary to popular belief, the scholarship isn’t just for his athletic ability. Fletcher’s character and actions that are as well-known have separated him from the hundreds of athletes in the area.

“His character sets him apart. His integrity and his determination make him the great person he is,” Coggins said.

Even though the scholarship came as a surprise, Fletcher feels as if he really earned it and knows how important it is. He knows that there are more important things than basketball and that character really matters.

“It felt great to win. It really did,” Fletcher said. “It shows that there’s more important stuff than playing basketball and that you can use it as a platform to set a good example.”

Along with great triumph comes multiple failures. Instead of becoming discouraged, Fletcher always tries to keep a positive attitude in order to overcome any obstacles that may cross his path.

“I’m a happy person. The majority of the time I try to help others and put a smile on everyone’s face,” Fletcher said.

Being a senior, fletcher is a natural leader on and off the court. Setting a good example for his fellow teammates is more than important and he does it extremely well.

“All around he’s a great guy,” Coggins said. “His ability to be such a great student athlete absolutely makes him stand out.”